Confucianism
Overview: Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of Chinese. It is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought that influenced the culture and history of East Asia. Some people don’t consider this as a religion because they don’t worship anyone with higher power.
Geography: Followers are primarily found in China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Vietnam, as well as various territories settled predominantly by Chinese people, such as Singapore.
Diffusion: Adopted by the Koreans, Japan, Chinese, Vietnam and Western scholars.
Universal or Ethnic: Ethnic
Monotheistic or Polytheistic: Neither because they don’t worship Gods but respect local customs.
Founder/Origins: Confucius
Major Branches/Denominations:Neo- Confucianism is a form of Confucianism that was primarily developed during the Song Dynasty and Ming Dynasty but which can be traced back to Han Yu and Li Ao in the Tang Dynasty.
Sacred Text: Confucianism compromises social, moral, political, and quasi-religious ideals that have had tremendous influence over the cultures of the Orient.
Doctrine:
- Confucianism declares that all human nature is essentially perfect and good.
- This stream of philosophy does not believe in the exposure to rites or extreme statism. Individual and state control over every human activity,within the dictates of metaphysics, and an unorthodox doctrine of radical thinking, are the strongholds of Confucianism.
- This ‘way of life’ address the complexities and idealism behind human morality, and the value of righteous action. Confucianism comprises social, moral, political, and quasi-religious ideals that have had tremendous influence over the cultures of the Orient.
Calendar: The Patheos Confucian Holiday Calendar includes all holidays and sacred days. The following is a comprehensive list of the next 50 Confucian religious holidays or sacred spiritual days.
Symbol: The water symbol
Holy Places: They do not worship, Confucianism is a code of conduct… no churches, no Gods, no afterlife none of that. It is considered a philosophy of life not a religion at all.
Architecture:
Bao family memorial arches
Memorial arches were used in classical China to commemorate exemplary figures. The arches were inscribed with the names and deeds of the people being honored, offering insight into the social values of the time.
Anyone wishing to erect a memorial arch was required to first submit a request to the local feudal authorities. After initial approval, the request made its way up the bureaucratic chain. Only with the ultimate approval of the emperor could the arch finally be constructed. The arch was designed strictly according to the rank of the person being honored. For a family or village, to be honored with a memorial arch was considered to be the highest form of recognition.
Fun Facts: Confucius saw many problems in the world in which he lived. He wanted to help make improvements, in order to change the world for the better. In order to get into a position of influence, Confucius tried to get himself appointed as an advisor to a number of different government officials. When this failed, Confucius instead set out as a teacher.
The most important things to Confucius were peace, and order. He felt that everyone had a proper role in society, and that if people were willing to accept their role, and fulfill it, that peace and harmony would abound.
In order to help people accept their roles in society, and establish order, Confucius laid out what he called ethics. These ethics outlined how individuals should treat one another. The most important of these ethics outlined the responsibilities of children to respect and listen to their parents, and other elders.
He also laid out ethics for how subjects should follow rulers, for how rulers should treat subjects, how husbands and wives should treat one another, and how friends should treat each other.
During his own lifetime Confucius’ teachings were not widely accepted. However, within a hundred years, they were being used by the emperor to help him rule, and eventually became a widely followed religion. Confucianism would remain a powerful force in Chinese history.