Confucianism PDF

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS CONFUCIANISM CONFUCIANISM 1 Brief History 2 Doctrines 3 Beliefs 4 Practices / Rituals 5 Issues Brief History C o n f u c i a n i s m is originated and...

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS CONFUCIANISM CONFUCIANISM 1 Brief History 2 Doctrines 3 Beliefs 4 Practices / Rituals 5 Issues Brief History C o n f u c i a n i s m is originated and developed in China Started by the a m a n n a m e d C o n f u c i u s Confucius live between 551 and 479 B.C.E he was born in September 28 on 551 B.C.E at state of Lu, a province on the east coast of China the area today is known as Shandong and was part of the german Empire 1898 and 1914 in China He is known as K'ung Fu -Tse meaning meaning Master Kong. Confucius is a latinized version of Kong Zi and the Honorific Kong Fuzi both meaning ( Master Kong) First person to devote his whole life to learning and teaching for the purpose of social t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a n d i m p ro v e m e n t. Confucius also became an arbiter, assistant minister of public works and minister of justice of Lu but all his Ideas were ignored by his superior, so he resigned and travelled for 13yrs and at the age of 67 he returned to his place a n d h e h a d m a n y d is c ip le s , a n d h e d ie d a t 73 y e a rs o ld. Confucianism was not first recognized as a religion, confucianism was also recognized as a philosophy, a way of living a way of finding meaning a way of having a good life. There has always been a debate weather confucianism should be required as a Religion or a Philosophy. In Philosophy there is a pursuit of wisdom that people follow a c c o rd in g to in te lle c tu a l a n d lo g ic a l re a s o n in g , in Religion is a belief and worship of the creator without any reasoning. those who argue that Confucianism is a philosophy assert that when Confucius, founded C o n fu c ia n ism h e d id n 't re a lly m e a n to c re a te a re lig io n , a ll h e w a n te d is re v iv e th e a n c ie n t re lig io n o f Zh o u d y n a sty w h o se in te n tio n is g o o d h u m a n re la tio n s h ip an d s o cia l v a lu es a n d id ea ls. On the other hand, they believed that Confucianism is a religion because the Idea is inspirational it's deals we're inspirational. not in the supernatural sense but in the sense of aiming for excellence in one's relationship with others with this confucianism categorized with Bu d d h is m , Ch ris tia n ity, Hin d u is m , Is la m , J u d a is m a n d Da o is m a s o n e of the world major religion. So we can view Confucianism as a Religion and Ph ilo s o p h y. This religion promotes morality and good living, it is often recognized m o re a s a n e th ic a l s y s te m ra th e r th a n a re lig io n. The fundamental concern of the confucian tradition is learning to be human Learning to be human, in the Confucius perspective, entails a broadening, and deeping of thought and being that acknowledge the interconnectedness of all the modalities if existence defining human the condition. Through an ever-expanding network relationship, the seeks to confucian realize humanity in it's all -embracing fullness. Self cuntivation is an end in it self and it's primary purpose it self realization. As such a defining Characteristic of Confucianism is faith in the creative transformation of our human condition as a communal act and as a d ia lo g ic a l re s p o n s e to h e a v e n. Th is in v o lv e s th e in te g ra tio n o f th e fo u r dimensions of humanity: self, community, nature, heaven.  5 DOCTRINES OF CONFUCIANISM HUMAN-HEARTEDNESS J e n (Ren)- character that refers to love and Human - heartedness. Which means Goodness: human -heartedness: benevolence: love. Superior Person said " of neighborhood benevolence(ren) is t h e most beautiful. How can the man be considered wise who, when h e w a s t h e c h o ic e. D o e s n o t s e ttle in b e n e v o le n c e. ( An a le c ts , 4.1)  5 DOCTRINES OF CONFUCIANISM THE IDEAL OF THE SUPERIOR PERSON The Superior Person ( The junzi) The Chun tzu (jun-zi) means "Ruler's Son" As the rulers son or a future leader it is important for this person to be raised with superior ethics and morals to ensure the future generations is able to rule with wisdom, justice, compassion, and peace.ed in 1886.  5 DOCTRINES OF CONFUCIANISM THE RECTIFICATION OF NAMES The one of the most important doctrines of Confucianism is that of the proper naming of things. This principles implies that naming is not only important in practical and communicational terms but it also creates meaning and configures relation and structures within the society. 5 DOCTRINES OF CONFUCIANISM THE ROLE OF RITUAL AND CULTURE Ritual: Li- a principle of re s p e c t. Culture: We n - "the arts of p e a c e " - m u s i c , art, a n d poetry.  5 DOCTRINES OF CONFUCIANISM ATTENDANT VIRTUES TWO ATTENDANT VIRTUES Loyalty Filial piety Loyalty - "Our master's way is simply this. Loyalty (to superiors), consideration (for the feelings of others). Filial piety- Respect for one's parents and ancestor.  BELIEFS are not based on religious views alone but re v o l v e a ro u n d h u m a n s o c i e t y are based on the ethical values that every individual must possess.  1 2 3 JEN LI XIN b a sed o n hum a n a principle of r e s p e c t refers to faithfulness n a tu re a n d a n d propiety and being honest b e n e v o le n c e 4 5 CHUNG YI o n e o f t h e m o s t impo r t a nt righteousnes s is believed to be Confucianism beliefs t h e ba se o f h u ma n v irt u e u p h o ld s th a t lo y a lty s tre n g th e n s a b l e to differentiate what is th e b o n d b e tw e e n th e ru le rs a n d c itiz e n s o f th e c o u n try right and wrong  An o the r b e lie f in C o n fu c ia n ism is t h e GOLDEN RULE "Do n o t do unto others what you would not want others t o do unto you." - treat others how you want to be treated.  The four tenets of Confucianism are; 1. Family Four Rites Rituals- -It is a manual on four rituals: Mourning rites , w e d d i n g , funeral, a n d sacraficial ritual. The first three are equivalent t o w h a t a n th ro p o lo g is ts c a ll “rite s of p a s s a g e. ” 2. The Five R e l a t i o n s - Five relationships Parents - Child Hus b a n d - Wif e Elder Brother- Younger Brother Ruler -Subject Friend-Friend 3. Rectification of Names - In C o n fu c ia n ism , t h e Re c tific a tio n of Na m e s m e a n s tha t "thin g s in actual fact should be made to accord with the implications attached to them by names. 4. Ren( Benevolence) Benevolence is an act of kindness to w a rd s o u rse lv e s a n d o t h e r s w it h o u t e x p e c tin g to g e t a n y t h in g in re turn. Ren (Chinese: 仁, meaning "co -humanity" or "humaneness") - Is the Confucian virtue denoting the good quality of a virtuous human when being altruistic The concept of Heaven (Tian, 天) is pervasive in Confucianism. Confucius had a deep trust in Heaven and believed that Heaven overruled human efforts. Confucianism believes in ancestor worship and human-centered virtues for living a peaceful time.  MAIN TENENTS OF CONFUCIANISM THE SACRED PAST Confucius believed people should study the past to understand how to behave and be virtuous. THE SOCIAL CODE (Relationships) Political relationships are like family relationships, but larger. Rulers should behave toward their subjects they way fathers do with their children. Certain rituals of the past should be followed with this code. Self-Improvement: Strive to become a virtuous man. If all become virtuous, there will be harmony in society. PRACTICES AND RITUALS Confusians symbolize four important t i m e s in ones life. These are: birth, reaching maturity, marriage and death. The Practices that go along with t h e s e s t a g e s are; PRACTICES AND RITUALS BIRTH The Tai-Shen (spirit of the fetus) protects the e x p e c t a n t mother, and deals harshly with anyone/thing that harasses or harms the woman. She receives a special diet and is given one month to rest after the delivery of the baby. Her parents are responsible for everything that is needed to support the child, on the first, fourth, and twelfth month anniversary of the child's birth. PRACTICES AND RITUALS MARRIAGE There are six separate t h i n g s t h a t h a p p e n during t h e m a r r i a g e rituals, these include: PROPOSAL Both sides of the relationship share the hour, day, month, and year of their birth. If any upsetting events happen within the bride-to-be's family within the next three days, it is believed that she has rejected the proposal. PRACTICES AND RITUALS ENGAGEMENT After t h e c o u p l e d e c i d e s t h e d a t e of t h e w e d d i n g , t h e bride a n n o u n c e s t h e w e d d i n g with invitations and gifts of cookies shaped like the moon. PRACTICES AND RITUALS DOWRY A d o w r y is a transfer of p a re n t a l b e l o n g i n g s w h e n their d a u g h t e r is g e t t i n g married. Gifts a re e q u a l in v a l u e after b e i n g g i v e n to the bride and groom. PROCESSION The g r o o m p ro ceed s to t h e bride's h o m e , a n d brings her back to his place, with much happiness and excitement. PRACTICES AND RITUALS MARRIAGE The couple recites their vows that will b o n d t h e m t o g e t h e r for a lifetime, t o a s t e a c h other with wine, a n d t h e n t a k e c e n t e r s t a g e a t a b a n q u e t c o n s i s t i n g of friends, a n d t h e f a m i l i e s of b o t h bride and groom. PRACTICES AND RITUALS Morning After The bride s e r v e s b re a k f a s t t o t h e g ro o m ' s p a re n t s , a n d t h e n t h e p a re n t s d o t h e s a m e. PRACTICES AND RITUALS DEATH After t h e d e a t h of a l o v e d o n e , t h e family cry a l o u d t o inform the neighbors of the tragic news. The family begin to mourn by making clothes m a d e of course material, a n d wearing them. The c o r p s e is p l a c e d in a coffin, a n d m a n y family a n d friends bring m o n e y t o h e l p w i t h t h e c o s t of t h e funeral. Food a n d o b j e c t s i m portant t o t h e d e c e a s e d a re p l a c e d into t h e coffin with him/her. PRACTICES AND RITUALS A priest or minister of a n y religion p erfo rms t h e burial ritual. The guests follow the coffin carrying a large willow tree branch. This is meant to symbolize the soul of the person who has died. Later on, t h e b r a n c h is carried b a c k t o t h e family altar w h e re is u s e d t o "install" the spirit o f t h e d e c e a s e d. A public worship ( c a l l e d a Liturgy) is performed on the seventh, ninth, and forty -ninth days after the burial, along with the first and third year anniversary of th e d ea th. ISSUES GENDER I NEQU AL I TY The issue of gender equality has long been raised in China, and this problem turns out to be especially prominent in the current job market. Despite the number of female graduates employed bypassing male graduates, according to the survey recently published by the Ministry of Education in China , women still linger behind men in the employment rate. ISSUES FEMINISM CONFLICT C o n fu cia n ism is o ften a sso ci a t ed w ith o p p res s in g w o m e n , w h e the r t h a t b e s u b ju g a tin g w o m e n to the ir fathers during childhood, husbands during marriage, or sons during widowhood. O p p re s s i v e a c t s a s s o c ia te d w ith Co n fu c ia n principles also include foot b i n d i n g , c o n c u b i n a g e , a n d widow suicide. ISSUES CULTURAL PROBL EMS With no ruler able to claim the Mandate of Heaven, there was no real reason for people to show loyalty to their rulers. This meant that people, from peasants to local rulers, were disobeying the instructions of those who ruled them.