“Do not do to others what you do
not want done to yourself ”
-Confucius
Confucianism
Origins
• Confucianism is a way
of life taught by Confucius
in the 6th–5th century
BCE (551–479 BCE) in
China.
• Sometimes viewed as a
philosophy, sometimes as
a religion, Confucianism
is perhaps best
understood as a way of
living one’s life and
properly interacting with
others.
Adherents
• Approximately 5 to 6
million people follow
Confucianism.
• People who follow
Confucianism are
called Confucians or
Confucianists
Views
•
•
•
•
•
•
Principles of Confucianism
include:
Personal and governmental
morality
Correctness of social
relationships
Justice and sincerity
Respect for elders
Respect for parents
Respect for rulers
Views
• Examples:
• When the stables were burnt
down, on returning from court,
Confucius said, "Was anyone
hurt?" He did not ask about the
horses.
• Adept Kung asked: "Is there
any one word that could guide
a person throughout life?"
The Master replied: "How
about 'shu': never impose on
others what you would not
choose for yourself?"
Views
• Humaneness, signifying
excellent character in
accord with:
• li (ritual norms)
• zhong (loyalty to one's
true nature)
• shu (reciprocity – do unto
others) and
• xiao (filial piety)
• Together these constitute
de (virtue).
Views
• Confucianism is characterized
by a highly optmistic view of
human nature.
• Confucius regarded Heaven
(T'ien) as a positive and
personal force in the universe.
• Specific views on God and
heaven are not discussed in
Confucianism.
Life’s Purpose
• To fulfill one's role in society with propriety,
honor, and loyalty.
Afterlife
• Confucius never discussed his beliefs
about what would happen to people after
they die.
General Practices
• Aside from its important
ethical principles,
Confucianism does not
prescribe any specific
rituals or practices.
• Most people who follow
the ethical principles of
Confucianism also
incorporate practices of
Shintoism, Taoism, or
Buddhism.
General Practices
• Honesty, politeness, propriety,
humaneness, perform correct role in
society, loyalty to family, nation
Holy Text(s)
• Analects • are the most
sacred
scripture in
the
Confucian
tradition.
• It is based
primarily on
the Master's
sayings.
Famous Confucius Sayings
• Our greatest glory is
not in never falling,
but in getting up every
time we do.
Famous Confucius Sayings
• Before you embark on
a journey of revenge,
dig two graves
Famous Confucius Sayings
• I hear and I forget. I
see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
Comparing World Religions
• Click on this link to
view Major
Religions of the
World
Ranked by Number
of Adherents.
• You are the only
group to see this
information and will
need to discuss it
later in your group.
• http://www.adherent
s.com/Religions_By
_Adherents.html