Confucianism
A belief system that originated in China around 520 B.C.
Its founder:
Confucius 551-479 B.C.
Family name: K’ung
Personal name: Ch’iu K’ung-tzu or K’ung-fu-tzu
Latinized name: Confucius
Confucius was born into a poor but aristocratic family.
He decided to pursue the life of a scholar at age 15, and
his studies included religious ritual, music, calligraphy,
arithmetic, poetry, and history.
He began serving in local politics at age 19.
At age 30, Confucius left politics to become a teacher. He traveled across China, accompanied
by his followers, teaching his philosophy: All people can be improved through learning.
Confucius wanted society to be reformed so that only the highly educated could be involved in
politics and government administration. He also taught that kings and government leaders had a
duty to be virtuous because their example would lead all of the people to become virtuous.
Confucius taught that…
1. Learning is essential to moral improvement
2. Only through education can people build character
3. The most learned people have a duty to the public
4. To have a peaceful and ordered society, people must practice Li (proper behavior)
5. To practice Li, one must respect their rulers, parents, elders, and spouse.
After his death, the followers of Confucius gathered his teachings together into a book called The
Analects (The Selected Sayings), which remains popular today.
Confucianism became the official belief system of China in 206 B.C., and during the Han
dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 C.E.) government officials were chosen through a series of exams that
tested one’s knowledge of the teachings of
Confucius. Confucianism holds a very
important place in the cultures of China,
Korea, Taiwan, and Japan to this day.
Confucius (551? – 479? BCE)
Why study?
Confucianism pervades classical literature, philosophy and the history of China.
Lived during the Warring States time period
 Confucianism: a system of ethics designed to cultivate moral perfection
 Focused on a good life on earth
o This is greater than the afterlife or theology


Become a person of worth = education, moral code, act with virtue
o Not like the wealthy who were born to a title
Education for ALL
Three ideas:
 Righteousness
 Destiny, the will of Heaven
 Moderation
5 constant relationships:
o Subjects subordinate to government officials
o Child subordinates to parent
o Younger brother subordinates to older brother
o Younger friend subordinates to older friend
o Spouse subordinate to spouse (women to men)

ALL governed by “ren” – human-heartedness – loving goodness toward others

EMPATHY is the heart of the relationships
Confucius (551? – 479? BCE)
Why study?
Confucianism pervades classical literature, philosophy and
the history of China.
Lived during the Warring States time period
 Confucianism: a system of ethics designed to cultivate
moral perfection
 Focused on a good life on earth
o This is greater than the afterlife or theology
 Become a person of worth = education, moral code,
act with virtue
o Not like the wealthy who were born to a title
 Education for ALL
Three ideas:
 Righteousness
 Destiny, the will of Heaven
 Moderation
5 constant relationships:
o Subjects subordinate to government officials
o Child subordinates to parent
o Younger brother subordinates to older brother
o Younger friend subordinates to older friend
o Spouse subordinate to spouse (women to men)
“Way of Goodness” (ancient): Confucius wanted to go
back to this
Current leaders had abandoned it for personal
gain
 ALL governed by “ren” – human-heartedness – loving
goodness toward others
 EMPATHY is the heart of the relationships
VIDEOS:
Biography:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWHt9FR0b_M&feature=youtu.be
Overview/Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ximqppmkfc4&feature=youtu.be
Huston Smith, scholar of religion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn7grjTpcNA
What does he mean by being a imperialist?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhkdxIVln7Y&feature=related
the answer
Meditation Video with quotes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BBljrYQvNg&feature=related