Similarities And Differences Between Confucianism And Japan And The Choson Dynasty

Confucianism was founded by Confucius in 551-479 Bce. Confucius believed that everyone should live by the Five Constant Relationships: parent and child, husband and wife, ruler and subject, older sibling and younger sibling, older friend and younger friend. Each person

during the Zhou Dynasty, China was experiencing a great deal of political turmoil. A major part of this era was called the Period of the Warring States. It was a time when there were numerous wars that occurred due to the conflict that existed between seven states. (Watkins, 2013) These warring states were the Han, Wu, Zhao, Chu, Qi, Yan and Jin. According to Jerry H. Bentley and Herbert F. Ziegler of the book Traditions and Encounters, “This period forced some people to reflect on the nature of society, and the roles of humans beings within society.” The authors continued saying that it forced others to “identify principles that would restore political and social order.” (Bentley & Ziegler, 2011) The principles of Confucianism were established and followed in order to help the citizens of China to live and govern their communities more efficiently. Through Confucianism, Confucius helped legitimize China’s rule and bring about order in the mist of turmoil. The effects of Confucius’ principles are still seen and felt today in many aspects of modern day Chinese society. Veritably, there were points throughout Chinese history where Confucianism affected almost every aspect of life in China. Confucius has impacted the development of Chinese thought and culture in various ways from education to politics, to familial relationships.

Although China’s influence over Korea has waned severely since the dynastic years we find the Confucian system of virtues and behaviors, China’s chief export from that time, still very much alive. Korea highly values the extended family, education, personal discipline and public order. In South Korea Confucian temples continue to be maintained throughout the country. The tenets of Confucianism are seen as antidotes to social ills and therefore education is thought of as a means of building character, not simply of intellectual formation. The values of Confucianism are promulgated throughout Korea in places as diverse as school, the office and the home. Television programs often portray Confucian merits such as filial piety and harmony. However

8. In what different ways did Japanese and Korean women experience the pressures of Confucian orthodoxy?

This essay will illustrate the history of Confucianism and the background of Master Kong (Confucius) in the early beginnings of the religion. The purpose of the paper is to discuss the common characteristic of Confucianism with other eastern religions, the contemporary issues it faces, and the interaction between the modern world and Confucianism. Also the paper list the nine most common text of literature used by the religion and it includes the role of women and the five bonds also known as the five great relationships.

Confucius believed that society should be organized through five basic relations; the relation between a ruler and a subject, the relation between a father and a son, the relation between a husband and a wife, the relation between an older brother and a younger brother, and finally friend between a friend.

Confucian culture, also known as Confucianism, was founded by Confucius during the Spring and Autumn Period, which was developed gradually after the Han Dynasty with benevolence as the core. Since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism was the official ideology and the basis of mainstream ideology in the vast majority of historical periods of China, and it also influenced many southeast Asian countries in history. After a variety of shocks, Confucianism was still the core values of China's social public, and represented the Chinese culture and national tradition in the world (Littlejohn, 2010). In the contemporary society, the Confucian culture in China increasingly spread, at the

Tokugawa Japan had similar roots in Confucianism as the political systems in China during Ming and Qing dynasties. However, both Chinese dynasties were administered by a tightly centralised state that was governed through bureaucracy, overseen by Confucian scholars (Murphey, 2015) and was a meritocratic system; whereas in Tokugawa Japan, the ruling class consisted of warrior elites (the samurai). Status depended upon one’s family and its connections. In short, the most significant difference between Tokugawa Japan political rule and the Ming or Qing dynasties of China is class structure, as stated by Declan and Thanaree.

The term “Confucianism” is often regarded as a complex mechanism of social, political, moral as well as religious beliefs that have considerable influence especially upon the civilizations belonging to the East Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea along with Singapore and Vietnam. With reference to the observation made by Reid (1999), it can be viewed that a clear depiction about different principles and beliefs exists within the sphere of “Confucianism”. Therefore, the major purpose of this report is to briefly review of T. R. Reid’s book “Confucius Lives Next Door: What Leaving In The East Teaches Us About Living In the West” through concisely unfolding the experience of

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.

Confucianism is regarded as one of the primary religions that have profoundly influenced Chinese beliefs and ideologies. While Kongzi, or Confucius, is the founder of Confucianism, he is not the only philosopher who has contributed to such a significant impact on China. Similarly, the Analects of Confucius is not the single text that represents Confucianism. In fact, during different time periods throughout the history, there are a number of eminent representatives of Confucian thoughts, such as Mengzi and Xunzi. Because Confucianism aims at eliminating chaos and maintaining order in a harmonious society , they all agree that the guidance and education of virtuous Confucian pioneers are of extreme importance to achieve this

Although Confucianism is not strictly speaking a religion, the impact it had on Japanese social and political structuring cannot be ignored. As mentioned before, Confucianism entered Japan around the same time as Buddhism and was incorporated into the multiple different Buddhist sects. One very strong principle of Confucianism was the idea of harmony, often illustrated as Yin and Yang (Hoobler and Hoobler, 63). In Japan, Neo-Confucianism began becoming popular, which combined Buddhist and Taoist thought with Confucianism

These relationships are upheld to create a mutual respect and trust between the people involved. The five Confucian virtues are Ren/Jen (Humanness), Shu (Reciprocity), Li (Propriety), Wen (Culture), and Xiao (Filial Piety). The virtues are used as a way instill social harmony. It is ultimately the goal to create a Junzi/ Chun tzu, or the “ideal personality”, which is referred to as the ideal human being. Taoism has the main teachings of Tao, wu wei (or effortlessness), simplicity, gentleness, and relativity. Tao, which is recognized in Confucianism as well, has many meanings and can be translated as “existence,” “pattern,” and “process.” Wu wei recommends that one must not seek unnecessary actions. Simplicity, as it sounds, urges to eliminate the artificial from our lives and to embrace what nature grants us; because of simplicity, they prefer not to seek out unnecessary higher education unlike Confucianism. Gentleness shows that a wise person does not seek violence. And finally, relativity teaches that one must not use a limited view point based on their own concerns. Thusly, Confucianism preaches the importance of upholding one’s relationships with others; meanwhile, Taoism advocates a harmonious, natural, and peaceful universe.

As Confucius said, “Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.” How can one affect the others? What will be lost if one element is missing? In Confucianism, there are the five constants (Ren, Yi, Zhi, Xin, and Li), each correlates with others; however, the main focus is the practice of Ren and Filial Piety, which can transform us into Jun Zi. Confucius suggests that all practices are related to each other, and missing any elements will fail to become a Jun Zi (the ultimate goal). The practice of Ren promotes the how we should treat each other with love, however, unlike Mohism, Confucianism believe there should not be universal love, we should love based on who they are. Furthermore, filial piety, the love toward parents and family, remarks the importance of Ren and the theme of Confucianism. Li, the practice of caring for others, concludes the significant to become a Jun Zi. Even though there is no explicit definition for love in general, combining all three practices will certainly demonstrates an all-around love, which is the trait of Jun Zi. Furthermore, the importance of filial piety contributes how traditional Chinese view relationship and marriage, which still exist in some families. The love and care that Confucianism introduce are arguably the most general and ambiguous, which are the two different kinds of love: either toward elderly or strangers. The love towards elderly is as known

When Western people think of Confucianism, they often think of it in a past sense- as something only relevant to ancient China that cannot be applied to modern day society. However, what these people fail to realize is that Confucianism’s roots have been so integrated into China’s society that the values have become a part of every day life. Without having to explicitly state that they are following specifics aspects of Confucianism, most Chinese people submit to them, often times unknowingly. However, Confucian values not only exist in the Chinese society, but also permeate into other areas of Chinese culture such as architecture and aspects of Feng-Shui.