Zach Robinson World Literature Period 2

Confucius
Confucius was a fifth century chinese thinker, Confucius was born in 551 BC. He is thought to be born in Qufu which is now part of the Shandong Province. His common name or given name was Kong Qui. However he has come to be know in china as Kong Fuzi, which was later turned into Confucius by the Italian Jesuits, which brought the name to Europe. The Name Kong Fuzi or Confucius comes from the chinese words Fuzi which means teacher and Kong which comes from his surname, because it is disrespectful to call a teacher by there given name in Chinese culture. The teaching of Confucius, where taught however never written down until after his death in 479 BC. His teachings later developed into what some believe is a way of life and others consider as a religion; However, it is argued the Confucianism is not a religion, although it is followed as one in modern times. It is considered a state religion in china, and many other eastern asian countries. Others however believe that it is only a guideline for behavior and moral rights. Three key principles are emphasized in Confucius' teachings: the principles of Li, Jen and Chun-Tzu Li: The term Li has several meanings, often translated as propriety, reverence, courtesy, ritual or the ideal standard of conduct. Jen: The virtue of goodness and benevolence.

Chun-Tzu: The idea of the true gentleman. One idea or rule from Confucianism that is very widely used and is what we call today the golden rule. "Treat others the way you would want to be treated."

Works Cited "Confucianism - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. 2010. Web. 21 Aug. 2011.

<http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religionindex/confucianism.htm>. "Confucianism Sacred Texts." The Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology. Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, 2004. Web. 21 Aug. 2011.

<http://fore.research.yale.edu/religion/confucianism/texts /index.html>. "Confucius." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 18 Aug. 2011. Web. 21 Aug. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius>.

Richey, Jeff. "Confucius [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 14 July 2005. Web. 21 Aug. 2011.

<http://www.iep.utm.edu/confuciu/>.