The Principles of Confucianism

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Confucius

Confucius created a system of thinking called Confucianism. If only one word could be used to summarize the Chinese way of life for the last two thousand years, that word would be Confucian. No other person has had as great an effect on the life and thought of the Chinese people as Confucius. He is the most adored person in Chinese history. Confucius claimed no greatness, instead he looked to a past time that he saw as the golden age. He told one of his disciples, "I transmit but I do not create. I am sincerely fond of the ancient. I would compare myself to Old P'eng who was fond of talking about the good old days." Confucius was a transmitter of the wisdom of the past. From his study of Chinese tradition, he gathered the teachings that would influence people throughout time to the present. Despite the fact that Confucius lived in a time of turmoil, his philosophy emphasized an ideal society filled with order and harmony.

Confucius was born in the village of Zou in the country of Lu in 55 BCE, he was a poor descendant of what used to bee a noble family. As a child, he held make-believe temple rituals; as a young adult, he earned a reputation for being fair, polite and he had a great love for learning. He travelled a lot and studied at the capital, Zhou, where he is said to have met and spoke with Lao Zi, the founder of Daoism.

When Confucius returned to Lu, he became a renowned teacher, but when he was 35, Duke Zhao of Lu led his country to war and Confucius was drafted. Duke Zhao frequently came to him for advice, but when being counselled by one of his ministers, he decided against granting land to Confucius and gradually stopped seeking his help. When other nobles began plotting against Confucius, Duke Zha...

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...society: a "balance between nature and human kind"; a way of behaving with kindness, charity, honesty, and faithfulness. Confucius also thought that in order to solve society's problems, you must first start with yourself. These virtues are as important today as they were twenty-five hundred years ago when Confucius discussed them with his disciple. Whether seen as a religion or a philosophy, Confucianism still keeps its moral strength.

Bibliography:

Bibliography

1)Chai, Ch'u. Confucianism. New York: Barron's Eduacational Series, 1973

2)Cleary, Thomas. The Essential Confucius. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1992

3)Hoober, Thomas. Confucianism. New York: Facts on File, 1993

4) "Confucianism", Funk and Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. 103

5) "Confucius", Funk andf Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. 105

6) "Confucius", The Wonderland of Knowledge.(1959 ed.) 981

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