Confusionism

Confucianism teaches that each person should accept his or her role in society. According to document number five, Confucianism became the basis of order and respect in China. It was central in governing China. The teachings of Confucius were even studied for civil service exams. Essentially, Confucius believed that younger people should show respect and obey anyone who was older, so respect your

Confucianism has been a part of Chinese culture for over a thousand years. Many who have studied Confucianism would say that it is not a religion. It is better described as a philosophy or moral code. The philosophy of Confucianism comes mainly from the speeches and writings of Confucius, a great Chinese thinker and educator. He believed that Humanity, Rite, Neutrality, Virtue, Education, and Cultivation were the basis of human behavior. In addition, Confucius felt that this philosophy was the best way for people to behave and interact with others in society.

Confucian scholars developed an ideology based on the moral nature of man, harmony of society, political legitimacy and order and unity and it is claimed, "the early period of intellectual ferment profoundly affected the formation of Chinese management" . Confucian ideology centred on morality, virtuous rule and rigid, hierarchical socio-political relationships . Confucius stressed the importance of social hierarchy and social relationships and the requirement of harmonious operation and welfare of society . The third cultural thread is the Chinese pictographic language.

For example, the Analects of government, sage, virtue, and manners give a sense of teachings and positive philosophies to follow in order to become a good ruler and obtaining and giving respect. While the Classics and ideals of popper conduct, political peace, moral power, love and ideal humanity help to reinforce the Analects by giving an ideology of a humanism. As Confucian gives words of wisdom of establish a community who should act only when necessary, use knowledge for the benefit of all, and to live in peace in order to developed a stronger culture. Confucius gives the Chinese people a focus on the cultivation of virtue and maintenance of ethics, creating a community of righteousness and moral disposition to do good and how one should act in a community. Overall, Confucianism is a source of values, the social code of the Chinese, and a substance of

Confucianism and Hinduism both were focus on people’s individuals. They both have same ideas on solving problem of social order in self-conscious way. Confucianism in China, which established by the first Chinese thinker, and educator, Confucius ( Kongzi), whom solved political, and social problem in non- violence ways. He emphasized three important values for every individuals to process, which are “Ren”, “Li”, “Xiao”. “Ren” means kindness, and generous; “Li” means polite, and respect to your roles and duties; “Xiao“ means respect, and obey elders. Compare to Hinduism, both of them had classes to organize their societies, and people had responsibilities to fulfill their roles duties. Hinduism accepted four main castes, brahmins ( priests ), kshatriyas( warriors and aristocrats ), vaishyas ( peasants and merchants ), and shudra ( serfs ). Everyone had heavy responsibilities on accomplishing their works, which similar to Confucianism concept “Li”. They both using

Confucianism promotes a social hierarchy that is important to the stability of the society. It creates a social order that ensures that there is order and a hierarchy within society. So people respect the rank of the people above them, and

Ever since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism has been a cornerstone in Chinese culture. Established by the scholar Confucius, this belief system focused on achieving a "…perfect society in which all people devoted themselves to fulfilling their roles… (and) all wholeheartedly did what was expected of them." (PMEA, 32) This included all individuals knowing and enacting their responsibilities in order to create a world of harmony. During the Song, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, Confucian principles, were intertwined throughout the Chinese government, culture and everyday lives of subjects. Advancements made during this timeframe allowed Confucianism to develop and grow with the Chinese population, making this belief system a mainstay in Chinese society.

The I Ching, the Book of Change, the foundation of all Chinese religion and science, is an ancient Chinese divination text that provides influential text in religion, literature, and art. It provided guidance for moral decision making, based on Taoism and Confucianism. The I Ching can be read as a microcosm of the universe, explaining how to keep human behavior in unity with the alternating series of nature. Chinese tradition was divided into Confucianism, the exoteric, and Taoism, the esoteric, but both see the world and ‘God’ as a whole, the cosmos. Although different, both religions allowed their followers to find “God” in all things, Confucianism through the natural order, and Taoism through the Tao. Both of these religions encouraged knowledge beyond the physical world and beyond that which can be known with the senses.

Traditions & Encounters: Chapter 8, page 185: “Confucius emphasized personal qualities like ren, li, and xiao because he believed that individuals who possessed those traits would gain influence in the larger society...only through enlightened leadership by morally strong individuals was there any hope for the restoration of political and social order in China” This quote demonstrates the main three principles that Confucianism was based upon are what Confucius believed would better society. These principles would create a stronger government, leading to better policies, and a stronger sense of unity in the people.

For example, per Source #1, Confucius’s values included respecting tradition, reverence for ancestors, and he honored scholars. Since Confucius had these values, they are part of Confucianism beliefs. With these values, students at Evergreen Middle School would respect their teachers and traditions at Evergreen. To add on, Confucianism teaches good character. For example, per Source #2, Confucius’s goal was to make people better in their lifetime. He was also teaching a system of moral conduct. Having Confucianism at Evergreen Middle School will inspire students to have attitudes that are full of goodness and kindness. To wrap up, Confucianism at Evergreen Middle School would give the result of students with good values and

At the core of any nation’s culture are its religious beliefs. In China there are the “Three Jewels” Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, as described in Lopez (1996). There are small numbers of people practicing other religions such as Christianity and Islam, but these are the three dominant beliefs of the region. While they are separate in content, they have coexisted for several thousand years. Lopez (1996) goes on to say, “Historical precedent and popular parlance attest to the importance of this threefold division for understanding Chinese culture…Buddhism is the sun, Daoism the moon, and Confucianism the five planets…suggesting that although they remain separate, they also coexist as equally indispensable phenomena of the natural world.” Each belief system stands alone, and at the same time needs the other(s).

Confucianism is one of the main influential ideologies on the Chinese culture. The founder of this religion is Confucius; he was a Chinese teacher. He taught traditional disciplines at that time, and believed that he could change the order of the Chinese society. He has different principals in life. First, Li: “It is the medium within which to talk about the entire body of the mores, or more precisely, have the authentic tradition and reasonable conversations of society” . In other words, li is the social rituals between people and they are divided into different categorized relationships like father and son, filial piety, between brothers, husband and wife; Ruler and subjects, and between friends. The Second principal was Jen, which is humaneness; it describes the inner personality of a person and that people should practice respect to one another. Li and Jen are values that complete each other to create the superior man, according to the Confucius. Also, Confucius believed in the spirits but keeping them at a distance. There are Five Classics and the Four Books are regarded as a reference for Confucianism.

David F. Noble draws valuable parallels between our era of burgeoning technology and the technological advances of the industrial revolution.

The religions, Confucianism and Taoism, both originate from indigenous Chinese beliefs and practices. Although they come from the same area in the world, they have several differences alongside their similarities. Additionally, they both are influenced by the Tao; however, they have different meanings behind the concept. Taoism can be summed up as appreciating all that is natural; whereas Confucianism is ideal society model created through a lifetime of relationship dedication. Neither of these religions worship a “god,” but they do have their own unique form of worship. The likenesses and differences of Confucianism and Taoism can be found in their beliefs and concepts of self-cultivation, texts, and society and nature.

When looking at the ideas of Confucianism, one must look at the values that he expresses that are essential to human beings in order to become gentleman. Some of these values are present in every society and in every country. Ideas like jen and the Golden Rule are indispensable to life in almost every society on the globe.