History of Confucianism

Who was Confucius?

Confucius or K'ung Fu Tzu was born in the ancient state of Lu (modern Shantung), in 551 BCE. He devoted most of his life to teaching individual morality and ethics to his small band of students. The teachings of Confucius were an amalgamation of the Buddhist and Taoist ideals. He imparted oral directives that are propounded in the six schools of Confucianism: Han Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism, Contemporary Neo-Confucianism, Japanese Confucianism, Korean Confucianism and Singapore Confucianism. Confucius died at the age of 72, in 479 BCE.

History of Confucianism:

Confucianism is a way of life that was propounded by Confucius or K'ung Fu Tzu, an ancient Chinese teacher. Confucius was a passionate learner and keen observer of the political turmoil during the rule of the Chou Dynasty. He traveled a lot, assimilating experience and formulating ideologies pertaining to ritual, archery, music, charioteering, math, calligraphy, poetry and history. He developed and propounded concepts in education, government and society. The history of Confucianism basically dates back to the reflective mode the Master entered, during his self-imposed exile of 12 years, at the age of 56. Deep contemplation on the behavior of the power holders of the time with the common man, distinctly different moral rectitudes and experiences in a world rife with sensuous delights led to political frustration. Confucius returned to Lu and extensively documented cherished classical traditions and a new way of life.

The ideology preached through Confucianism breathed vitality and a contemplative structure into outmoded rituals. Confucius spoke of a 'path' that was shaded by antiquity and cultural commonalities. The cultural values and social norms not only redressed the Chou era, but also formed the core of essential education in ancient China. In time, Confucianism became synonymous with ethics related to moral fabric. Today, there are around 6 million Confucians worldwide, throughout Europe, America, China and Asia.

Confucian Beliefs:

The belief system propounded in Confucianism are best understood in the values within the following ethical genres:

• Li or correct propriety, ritual and etiquette
• Yi or the halo of righteousness
• Hsiao or love among members of a family or society
• Xin or the power of trustworthiness and honesty
• Jen or inherent humaneness and benevolence
• Chung or loyalty to ruling authorities

The beliefs of Confucianism gained new meaning during the rule of the Han dynasty (206 CE). The four passages of life; birth, sexual maturity, marriage and death, were recognized and regulated by propounded Confucian tradition. The doctrines were assimilated by Chu Hsi (1130-1200 CE) during the reign of the Sung rulers, in the Si Shu or 4 sacred books and Wu Jing or 5 classics. The four holy books are:

• Chung Yung or the Doctrine of the Mean
• Lun Yu or the Analects of Confucius
• Meng Tzu or the writings of Meng Tzu (371-289 BCE)
• Ta Hsueh or the Great Learning

The five classics are:

• Shih Ching or Classic of Odes: 300 poems and songs
• Shu Ching or Classic of History
• I Ching or Classic of Changes
• Li Ching or Classic of Rites
• Ch'un Ch'iu or Spring and Autumn Annals

Confucianism has been followed and preached for more than two millennia. It has influenced spiritual and political life not only in China, but also in Japan, Korea and Vietnam.