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CONFUCIANISM 

CONFUCIANISM 

SYMBOL OF FAITH. A statue of Confucius in a temple. (Source: © philipus/Fotolia)

Origin

 Confucianism is an ethical system, or way of living, that promotes a peaceful society. Confucius, its founder, and his followers envisioned a society free off disorder and anarchy. They taught that a peaceful society could be created. Its creation was based on maintaining key interpersonal relationships and by developing inner virtues such as loyalty, trust, and benevolence.

Virtues

Confucius (551 B.C. to 479 B.C.),

- also known as Kong Qui or K’ung Fu-tzu, was a Chinese philosopher, teacher and political figure. His teachings, preserved in the Analects, focused on creating ethical models of family and public interaction and setting educational standards. After his death, Confucius became the official imperial philosophy of China, which was extremely influential during the Han, Tang and Song dynasties.

Ren. Refer to kindness or benevolence it represents the "perfection of what it means to be human" 

Hsiao. "love others" or to "care for others" it is not only about one's parents and siblings, but also about respect for elders, and veneration for one's ancestors

Shu. Practical advice in which when you want to realize for yourself, you must also help others realize for themselves or the Golden Rule: Do not do unto others what you do not want others to unto you.

Li or propriety. refer only to observing rituals of sacrifice to ancestors properly.

Two Ideals of Confucianism

  1.  producing individuals who could be social leaders

  2. creating a harmonious society

Analects

-Saying of Confucius and his conversations with follower

-Consist of primarily advice on what to do in order to become a good individual and to harness and orderly society.

Quick Facts

"Confucius," the common name of Confucianism's founder, is a Latinized form of the Chinese K'ung-fu-tzu, "Master K'ung." The terms "Confucianism" and "Confucian" are not meaningful terms in Chinese. They are Western terms, coined in Europe in the 19th century.[^1582]

Confucius golden rule: Do not do unto others what you don't want others do unto you

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