CONFUCIANISM

I. HISTORY

Confucius is the founder of Confucianism but he did not literally intend to create a
religion. After he died, his teachings were used throughout other dynasties. Mencius
and Xunzi develop and sustained his teachings.

Now, Confucianism became a social order for China, teaching that social
relationships are the most important. People slowly started to believe in it, because they
wanted to have peace, but they had to care for themselves too. As a result,
Confucianism brought the people love, harmony, and respect for one another.

II. SACRED TEXT

A. The Five Classics

1. The Book of Changes
2. The Book of History
3. The Book of Poetry/Books
4. The Book of Rituals
5. Spring and Autumn Annals

III. CONFUCIAN DOCTRINE AND BELIFS

 Supreme Being – “Tian” meaning heaven

 Mandate of Heaven – the belief the heaven was the divine source of
authority and the right to rule of China's early kings and emperors.
 “Human Nature as Inherently Good” – according to Mencius, goodness is
innate
 “Human Nature as Originally Evil” – according to Xunzi people are
morally blind
 Rectification of Names – act accordingly to the positions

IV. FIVE CONSTANTS VIRTUES OF CONFUCIANISM

 Ren
 Li
 Yi
 Zhi
 Xin

V. FIVE KEY RELATIONSHIP

 Father and Son / Parents and Children
 Husband and Wife
 Elder and Junior Friends
 Ruler and Subject
VI. OTHER CORE VALUES
 Junzi - gentlemen
 Filial Piety – respect to the parents and acestor
 Ancestor Worship – way of showing filial piety