Confucius: The Early Years Confucianism! An Introduction Confucius was born in 551BCE in China in the state of Lu. Confucius s father died when Confucius was very young and his mother struggled financially. Confucius was well educated, but had to work menial jobs to pay for his education. He married when he was 19 and had at least two children. Confucius: The Early Years His mother died when he was 23. In keeping with Chinese customs, Confucius retired from public life for 3 years to mourn his mother s death. During this time, Confucius studied and when he returned to public life, he worked as a tax collector. At age 50 he left his job to work for one of the many feudal governments existing in China at the time. Confucius wanted to take a more active role in governing by applying what he had learned from his studies. Confucius: The Later Years Unfortunately, Confucius didn t make that many political waves. He later died around the year 479 BCE. Although he failed as a political advisor, he was a well known teacher. His students went on to implement his philosophies and ideals that now play a key role in family and government life in China.
Confucius Takes Off Confucius was more famous after his death than he had ever been during his lifetime. During the Han Dynasty, in the second cent. BCE, Confucius became a very significant figure, and eventually emerged as the basis for a new religion. Sometimes he is known as Master K ung. So What s it All About? Confucianism is above all about morality. The questions it addresses are ethical ones. For example: How should I behave? How can we live together peacefully? Confucianism can seem hardly like a religion at all. Confucius rarely spoke of God or an afterlife. Confucianism as a Religion What s it all about? Why consider this a religion then? There are several reasons: Confucius did discuss a Heaven and how to get there. He is revered like other religious figures, such as the Buddha. It has rituals and even meditative practices. Confucianism is very concerned with human relationships and how to act in these relationships. These relationships have heavily influenced Chinese culture. Specifically, it is concerned with five great relationships: Father/son Elder brother/younger brother Husband/wife Friend/friend Ruler/Subject
The Five Great Relationships All these relationships are hierarchical- one partner is superior to the other (even between friends). At the same time, these relationships are balanced as each party has different duties and obligations. For example: A child must do what his father says. However, a father must show kindness toward the child. This idea often seems strange in the West. However, we do practice hierarchical relationships here- teacher/ student, employer/employee... Notice Anything Funny? It is impossible to overlook the fact that Confucianism regards male dominance as part of the proper order of things. In the five great relationships, a wive must obey her husband. In return, a husband is supposed to protect and care for his wife. Christianity isn t so different. After all, it was only recently that to honour and obey was removed from a wife s wedding vows. Women are, however, to be honored as elders and parents in Confucianism. The Rectification of Names The Five Virtues Confucius believed that people need to know their duty and be trained to follow it precisely in order for society to operate harmoniously. This theory is called the rectification of names. Said another way- when you perform the duty you are supposed to, you will have harmonious relationships. This makes harmonious families, which in turn creates harmonious societies and a harmonious world. Can t we all just get along! So, what are these duties? Confucius believed that there are five virtues that you must exhibit: Shu Ren Li Xiao Wen
Shu (Reciprocity) Ren (Jen) According to Confucianism, relationships are to governed by the principle of shu, or reciprocity. The idea of shu can best be understood through the silver rule : Do not do unto others what you would not wish done to yourself! Another quality that Confucians desire to permeate all relationships is ren. Ren can be translated many ways, but some of its meaning includes empathy, goodwill, kind-heartedness, and humaneness. Confucianism sees ren as the basis for effective leadership. Rulers must govern with great fairness in order to gain people s trust. Li! Li: An example Another key Confucian virtue is that of li. Li consists of proper social behaviour or right conduct- that each person in a relationship has a role to play. For example, the elder brother is responsible for the younger brother, and must care for and protect him. In return, the younger brother must be compliant, doing what the brother says. Sound familiar to anyone! Confucians believe that if everyone behaves in a proper manner, that relationships will be pleasant and beneficial for everyone concerned. When actress Mia Farrow met the Queen of England, Mia told the Queen that she had just had her first child. She then asked the Queen what the most important lesson she could teacher child was. The Queen said, Good manners. Confucius would agree! Confucius saw good manners as the key to making relationships function smoothly. Therefore, good manners are absolutely essential. It is only by acting politely and respectfully that you are able to create harmony in relationships.
Xiao: Filial Piety Wen The most important virtue, however, is xiao. Filial piety is the proper attitude and behaviour of children toward their parents. It is essential, for Confucians, to obey and honor the parents while alive, and to reverence them when they are dead. Remember, Confucius s decision to mourn his mother for three years. In turn, it is the role of the parents to set a good moral example for their children. Finally, the last important virtue is wen, which is simply the cultivation of the arts. These arts include calligraphy, poetry, music and literature. One who practices the arts is considered a jinzu: a superior man or gentleman Sacred Writings The sacred writings of Confucianism are the Five Classics and the Four Books. The Five Classics include the I Ching or Book of Changes. The I Ching could best be described as instruction in the art of divination, or fortune-telling. The Four Books include The Analects of Confucius, a collection of wise sayings and stories related to Confucius and his disciples.