Confucianism

Presented by:
MELCHOR, PRINCESS
MERIN, MARY JOYCE
MILLADO, TRINA MAE
MINA, MAE FELEEN
MIRANDA, PATRICIA MAE
MORALES, KIMBERLY
MUSNI, THEO ROI
 Index
INTRODUCTION BELIEFS/PHILOSOPHY

ISSUES SACRED TEXT

CHARACTERISTICS RITUALS & PRACTICES

 Introduction
Confucius is the founder of Confucianism. He was a
Chinese philosopher, editor, politician, and teacher who
lived from 551 to 479 B.C.E.

Confucianism- a philosophy and belief system from

ancient China, which laid the foundation for much of
Chinese culture.

It is also known as Ruism and is described as tradition, a

philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion,
a way of governing, or simply a way of life
 Introduction
Mencius and Xunzie - The most famous of these disciples
both of whom developed Confucian thought further.

Confucianism symbols:

Water: Yin Yang: Scholar: Jen: social & Li: correct

represents balance in importance of personal behavior and
calmness and opposing knowledge and virtues for code of
serenity. forces. learning. social harmony conduct
 Issues
There is unresolved debate over if Confucianism is a religion. Since
Confucianism is best understood as an ethical guide to life and human-
centered virtues. Yet, Confucianism also began as a revival of an
earlier religious tradition.
There are no Confucian gods, and Confucius himself is worshiped as a
spirit rather than a god. However, there are temples of Confucianism,
which are places where important community and civic rituals happen.
 Issues
Many people decided to refer to Confucianism as both a religion
and a philosophy.
 Characteristics
Characterized as a system of social and ethical philosophy
rather than a religion.
The Social Code: affirmation of accepted values and norms
of behavior in primary social institutions and basic human
relationships;
The golden rule of Confucianism is “Do not do unto others
what you would not want others to do unto you.”
Cultivation of conscience and character
 Beliefs/Philosphy
There are five constant virtues, or wu chang ( 五常
).
In descending order of importance, the virtues are:

仁
1. Ren ( ) - Benevolence and Compassion
义
2. Yi ( ) - Righteousness and Justice
理
3. Li ( ) - Propriety (proper customs in rituals)
智
4. Zhi ( ) - Wisdom (understanding with truths)
信
5. Xin ( ) - Honesty and Fidelity
 Beliefs/Philosphy
Five Cardinal Relations

Ruler and Minister/Subjects: benevolence and sincerity

Father and Son: Kindness and Obedience
Elder brother and younger brother: Nobility and Respect
Husband and wife: Love and loyalty
Friend and Friend - Added later by the followers of Confucius
(The egalitarian relationship); Humaneness and Deference
Sacred Text
The Five Classics (wujing) and
Four Books (si shu)
collectively create the
foundation of Confucianism.
The Five Classics and Four
Books were the basis of the
civil examination in imperial
China and can be considered
the Confucian canon.
5 Classics :
1. Book of Documents
2. Book of Odes
3. Book of Rites
4. Book of Changes
5. Spring and Autumn Annals
Four Books (si shu)
1. The Great Learning
2. Analects
3. Mencius
4. The Doctrine of the Mean
 Rituals & Practices
The Four Rites

Coming-of-age rites -are ceremonies held to signify that a young

person has reached the marriageable age and could join the
different activities of his/her clan as an adult. The two important
Coming of age Rites among the Chinese are capping and hair
pinning ceremonies.
Mourning Rites- a tradition of exerting effort to recover the
deceased, which is practiced to avoid false death.
 Rituals & Practices
The Four Rites

Marriage Ceremonies- are an important aspect of Chinese culture

since marriage is considered a central feature of society; through
marriage, patience and love are cultivated to promote the right
virtue.

Sacrificial Rituals - are performed regularly by the descendants of

the deceased ancestors. Sacrifices are often given at festivals.
Thank you for
listening !