Confucianism
Amidst the chaos of political instability and constant warring of the Zhou era, arose many intellectual thinkers that brought such a profound impact in the fields of politics, religion, and philosophy. Even to this day, their influence can be seen on the many matters of China. Confucianism became the paramount school of thinking and later significant philosophies such as Daoism and Legalism gained immense recognition as well. Each party had their own proposals for creating an idealistic political society where the many problems they faced in their everyday lives could be eliminated. All three approaches were very distinct but at the same time, they contained similarities as well. In my reasoning, I find that Confucianism and Daoism could be paralleled in many ways to find several common grounds. On the other hand, Legalism goes on to take a more unique approach which was much different from the previous two.
Confucius was born in the state of Lu (present-day Shandong Province) of the noble K'ung clan. His original name was K'ung Ch'iu. His father, commander of a district in Lu, died three years after Confucius was born, leaving the family in poverty, but Confucius nevertheless received a fine education. He was married at the age of 19 and had one son and two daughters. During the four years immediately after his marriage, poverty compelled him to become a servant for the chief of the district in which he lived. His mother died in 527 BC, and after a period of mourning he began his career as a teacher, usually traveling about and instructing the small body of disciples that had gathered around him. His fame as a man of learning and character and his reverence for Chinese ideals and customs soon spread.
For over two thousand years, Confucius's teachings have deeply impacted the Chinese social system. In creating Confucianism, Master Kong did not aim to create a new religion, but to interpret and renew the nameless religion of the Zhou dynasty; because many people felt the ancient system of religious rule was morally bankrupt. Confucianism embodied the ethical core of Chinese society. Confucianism as a religion involves no superior beings other than man himself, and deals specifically with the interactions between fellow men. It also specializes on the actions a government (King) should take for it’s people.
He created a moral code based on ethics, humanity and love. Confucius’s philosophies emphasize the ideals of order and harmony. With the idea that people should live in harmony both with each other and with nature. To achieve this, Confucius created a system of human relationships and good government. Government to Confucius was the highest profession. He believed that if one had a good government everyone would be happy. In addition, Confucius esteemed education in high regards believing that through it, one could reach the high standard of a gentleman..
The Chinese see religion as a form of education. The purpose of Confucianism was mainly to instill moral values in a person. There is no organized church or structure, no priests, no sects, and no creed for any follow. There is no worshiping or personal relationship with god but did recognize heaven as a force of human concern. Confucius did believe that men should direct their own destiny. Confucius taught that harmony begins in the family, which was a minuet of society. In which the man of the house was like the emperor or Priest. Confucius believed in a male dominated society where only males could lead the government service.
Confucius was born in the state of Lu (present-day Shandong Province) of the noble K'ung clan. His original name was K'ung Ch'iu. His father, commander of a district in Lu, died three years after Confucius was born, leaving the family in poverty, but Confucius nevertheless received a fine education. He was married at the age of 19 and had one son and two daughters. During the four years immediately after his marriage, poverty compelled him to become a servant for the chief of the district in which he lived. His mother died in 527 BC, and after a period of mourning he began his career as a teacher, usually traveling about and instructing the small body of disciples that had gathered around him. His fame as a man of learning and character and his reverence for Chinese ideals and customs soon spread.
For over two thousand years, Confucius's teachings have deeply impacted the Chinese social system. In creating Confucianism, Master Kong did not aim to create a new religion, but to interpret and renew the nameless religion of the Zhou dynasty; because many people felt the ancient system of religious rule was morally bankrupt. Confucianism embodied the ethical core of Chinese society. Confucianism as a religion involves no superior beings other than man himself, and deals specifically with the interactions between fellow men. It also specializes on the actions a government (King) should take for it’s people.
He created a moral code based on ethics, humanity and love. Confucius’s philosophies emphasize the ideals of order and harmony. With the idea that people should live in harmony both with each other and with nature. To achieve this, Confucius created a system of human relationships and good government. Government to Confucius was the highest profession. He believed that if one had a good government everyone would be happy. In addition, Confucius esteemed education in high regards believing that through it, one could reach the high standard of a gentleman..
The Chinese see religion as a form of education. The purpose of Confucianism was mainly to instill moral values in a person. There is no organized church or structure, no priests, no sects, and no creed for any follow. There is no worshiping or personal relationship with god but did recognize heaven as a force of human concern. Confucius did believe that men should direct their own destiny. Confucius taught that harmony begins in the family, which was a minuet of society. In which the man of the house was like the emperor or Priest. Confucius believed in a male dominated society where only males could lead the government service.