CONFUCIANISM

DEFINITION:
Confucianism is a way of life taught
by Confucius in China in the 6th-5th
century BCE, and the rituals and
traditions associated with him.
What do you think are the
countries that strongly
influenced by
CONFUCIANISM?
 INFLUENCES/IMPACT OF
CONFUCIANISM
It spread to East Asian Countries under
the influence of Chinese literate culture
and has exerted a profound influence on
spiritual and political life.
Life and Times of Confucius
• Master Kong
• the age of 15 he set his heart upon
learning, thus love of learning
became one of the highest virtues
in Confucian ethics.
 Life and Times of Confucius
• He is often considered as the first
person to devote his whole life to
learning and teaching for the
purpose of social transformation and
improvement.
 SACRED SCRIPTURES:
THE CONFUCIAN CLASSICS
• The Five Classics are a group
of books which was regarded
as early Confucianism’s basic
texts.
 SACRED SCRIPTURES:
THE FIVE CLASSICS
• Book of Changes
• Book of History
• Book of Poetry
 SACRED SCRIPTURES:
THE FIVE CLASSICS

• Classic of Rites
• Analects
CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES/BELIEFS

“Do not do unto others what

you would not want others to
do unto you.”
 CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES/BELIEFS

• Rectification of Names
The Five Relationships
include:
1) ruler-subject;
2) father-son;
 CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES/BELIEFS

• Rectification of Names
The Five Relationships include:
3)husband-wife
4) elder and younger brother; 5)
friend and friend
CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES/BELIEFS

The Five Constants

• ren or benevolence
• yi or righteousness
• li or propriety;
CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES/BELIEFS

The Five Constants

• zhi or
knowledge/wisdom
• xin or fidelity
CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES/BELIEFS

• Filial Piety as an
Important Virtue which is
FAMILY RELATIONS
 WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
• COMING OF AGE RITES
are ceremonies held to signify
that a young person has
reached the marriageable age
 WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
• Capping refers to doing the
male teenager’s hair in a
bun/coil and wearing a cap.
WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
 WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
• Hair Pinning refers to the
gathering of a girl’s hair into
a knot, and securing it using
a hairpin or a hairclip;
WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
 WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES

• MOURNING RITES
often involve
intricate practices.
WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
 WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
• MARRIAGE CEREMONIES are
an important aspect of Chinese
culture since marriage is
considered as a central feature of
society.
WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
SELECTED
ISSUES
 • Female Subordination
It is often said that a woman’s life
under Confucianism can be summed
up in three periods, also known as the
"Three Obediences"
• Female Subordination
 • Authoritarianism
Confucianism stresses the
hierarchy between relationships,
this has
reinforced top-down values and
hierarchical systems.
• Authoritarianism
 • Environmental Ethics
Some experts also say that
when faced with the dilemma between
maintaining social duties and the
environment, they would give priority to
defense of social duties over
environmental protection.
• Environmental Ethics
“Respect yourself and others will
respect you.” ~ Confucius

“When it is obvious that the goals

cannot be reached, don’t
adjust the goals, adjust the action
steps.” ~ Confucius