Confucianism concerns itself primarily with ethical principles and does not address many traditional religious beliefs. Sustainability Policy |  This debate remains unresolved and many people refer to Confucianism as both a religion and a philosophy.The main idea of Confucianism is the importance of having a good moral character, which can then affect the world around that person through the idea of “cosmic harmony.” If the emperor has moral perfection, his rule will be peaceful and benevolent. Yet, Confucianism also began as a revival of an earlier religious tradition. As w… Confucius believed that feudalism was more advanced than slavery and the society needed a new ideology to guide pe… Terms of Service |  1. unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. Although transformed over time, it is still the substance of learning, the source of values, and the social code of the Chinese. The origin of the English word ‘Confucianism’ can be traced back to the Jesuits of the sixteenth century. Confucianism believes in ancestor worship and human-centered virtues for living a peaceful life. She or he will best know the preferred format. having to do with citizenship or public service. During the Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang commissioned the Terracotta Army, and the Ming Dynasty refurbished the Great Wall to protect the nation from Mongol attacks. Confucianism is a philosophy and belief system from ancient China, which laid the foundation for much of Chinese culture. Photograph by Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images/Getty Images, taken from Myths and Legends of China. He proposed revitalizing the meaning of the past by advocating a ritualized life. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Whether it is only or a philosophy or also a religion is debated. Mencius (or Meng Ke who lived from 372 to 289 B.C.E.) Omissions? Rather, Confucius considered himself a transmitter who consciously tried to reanimate the old in order to attain the new. 1145 17th Street NW Both the theory and practice of Confucianism have indelibly marked the patterns of government, society, education, and family of East Asia. Updates? 4. His theories and philosophy gave rise to laws based on his teachings first in China, and then later in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. There are no Confucian gods, and Confucius himself is worshipped as a spirit rather than a god. This emphasis on benevolent rulership, expressed in numerous bronze inscriptions, was both a reaction to the collapse of the Shang dynasty and an affirmation of a deep-rooted worldview. Confucianism (rujiao) is a way of life taught by Confucius (Kong Fuzi) in China in the 6th-5th century BCE and the rituals and traditions associated with him. His thoughts on ethics, good behavior, and moral character were written down by his disciples in several books, the most important being the Lunyu. Confucianism, also known as Ruism, Confucianism religion is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. After the events of the May Fourth Movement in 1919, in which Confucianism was blamed for China’s weakness and decline in the face of Western aggression, a major Chinese philosopher of the time, Xiong Shili (1885–1968), established and re-constructed Confucianism as a response.New Confucianism is a political, ethical, and social philosophy using metaphysical ideas from both W… Its implementation enabled the Western Zhou dynasty to survive in relative peace and prosperity for more than five centuries. His thoughts on ethics, good behavior, and moral character were written down by his disciples in several books, the most important being the Lunyu. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. He felt that virtue (de), both as a personal quality and as a requirement for leadership, was essential for individual dignity, communal solidarity, and political order. Confucianism is humanism, a philosophy or attitude that is concerned with human beings, their achievements and interests, rather than with the abstract beings and problems of theology. © 1996 - 2021 National Geographic Society. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. Learn more about the history and rich culture of Ancient China with this curated resource collection. His doctrine focused on reestablishing peace and order through virtue which he hoped would lead to prosperity. The legitimate ruler derives authority from heaven's command. Synonyms for Confucianism in Free Thesaurus. The ruler bears responsibility for the well-being of the people and therefore for peace and order in the empire. K'ung Fu Tzu (Confucius) (551–479 BCE) was a famous sage and social philosopher of China whose teachings deeply influenced East Asia for twenty centuries. Central Ethical Principal “Ren” is the central ethical principle, and is equivalent to the concepts love, mercy, and humanity. See more. Real power thereafter passed into the hands of feudal lords. During the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huan from 259-210 BCE, Confucianism was banned, texts were burned, and hundreds of Confucian intellectuals were killed. Confucius’s hero was Zhougong, or the duke of Zhou (fl. No matter what choice you make, Confucianism is a cultural heritage, which belongs to the whole humanity Confucianism strongly emphsizes: Mercy; Social order; Fulfillment of Responsibilities; This is achieved by everyone having well defined roles and acting towards others in a proper way. Confucius believed in the importance of education in order to create this virtuous character. In Confucianism man is the center of the universe: man cannot … During the Zhou Dynasty, for example, writing was standardized, iron working refined, and famous thinkers like Confucius and Sun-Tzu lived and shared their philosophies. During the Han Dynasty, emperor Wu Di (reigned 141–87 B.C.E.) Confucius’s response was to address himself to the issue of learning to be human. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. From small farming communities rose dynasties such as the Zhou (1046-256 B.C.E), Qin (221-206 B.C.E), and Ming (1368-1644 C.E.). If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. Today, those influenced by Confucianism rely on genealogical records kept by senior members to remember their dead at home altars, in family temples, or in public places of worship. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. Werner's. The relationship among the three has been marked by both contention and complementation in history, with Confucianism playing a more dominant role. Rather, he can be understood as someone concerned with the preservation of traditional Chinese knowledge from earlier thinkers. Antonyms for Confucianism. In so doing he attempted to redefine and revitalize the institutions that for centuries had been vital to political stability and social order: the family, the school, the local community, the state, and the kingdom. From the mythic origins of the Chinese dynasties to the eventual fall of the last imperial house, Chinese emperors have long fought to maintain control over one of the most enduring empires on Earth. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. The story of Confucianism does not begin with Confucius. The scholarly tradition envisioned by Confucius can be traced to the sage-kings of antiquity. Corrections? It is concerned with inner virtue, morality, and respect for the community and its values. The fact that traditional ways had lost vitality did not, for him, diminish their potential for regeneration in the future. Although Confucius never realized his political dream, his conception of politics as moral persuasion became more and more influential. Religion, Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations. Professor of Chinese History and Philosophy, Harvard University. Confucianism, also known as Ruism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. 'Confucianism' (Chinese: 儒 家; pinyin: Rújiā) is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (Kǒng Fūzǐ, or K'ung-fu-tzu, lit. After Confucius’ death, several of his disciples compiled his wisdom and carried on his work. In the Song Dynasty (960–1279 C.E.) The Analects as the embodiment of Confucian ideas, Formation of the classical Confucian tradition, Mencius: The paradigmatic Confucian intellectual, Xunzi: The transmitter of Confucian scholarship, Confucian ethics in the Daoist and Buddhist context, Confucian learning in Jin, Yuan, and Ming, The age of Confucianism: Chosŏn-dynasty Korea, Tokugawa Japan, and Qing China, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Confucianism, ChinaKnowlwdge.de - Confucius and Confucianism, Asia Society - Center for Global Education - Confucianism, United Religions Initiative - Confucianism, Ancient History Encyclopedia - Confucianism. He thought that people are essentially good yet may have strayed from the appropriate forms of conduct. However, the owners of the rights of the slaves were not willing to lose their privilege. system of philosophical and ethical teachings founded by Confucius. It was what sociologist Robert Bellah called a \"civil religion,\" (1) the sense of religious identity and common moral understanding at the foundatio… However, there are temples of Confucianism, which are places where important community and civic rituals happen. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. Since the surviving line of the Zhou kings continued to be recognized in name, they still managed to exercise some measure of symbolic control. Confucius was a philosopher and teacher who lived from 551 to 479 B.C.E. The Chinese philosophy of Confucianism puts it this way: 'Do not do to others what you would have them not do to you.' What are synonyms for Confucianism? Later on, the teachings of Mencius (Meng Zi) and Xunzi (Xun zi) also became part of Confucianism. Sometimes viewed as a philosophy, sometimes as a religion, Confucianism is perhaps best understood as an all-encompassing humanism that is compatible with other forms of religion. Confucianism lays importance on valuing others, treating others with kindness and having a mutual respect for each other. This elaborate system of mutual dependence was based on blood ties, marriage alliances, and old covenants as well as on newly negotiated contracts. is the best-known Confucian philosopher after Confucius himself. Confucius said: "[Filial piety is] that parents, when alive, be served according to propriety; that, when dead, they should be buried according to propriety" Ancient China is responsible for a rich culture, still evident in modern China. Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Confucius did not accept the status quo, which held that wealth and power spoke the loudest. Whether it is only or a philosophy or also a religion is debated. Confucianism is often characterized as a system of social and ethical philosophy rather than a religion. The most famous of these disciples were Mencius and Xunzi, both of whom developed Confucian thought further.Confucianism remains one of the most influential philosophies in China. Confucius’s love of antiquity was motivated by his strong desire to understand why certain life forms and institutions, such as reverence for ancestors, human-centred religious practices, and mourning ceremonies, had survived for centuries. They tried their best to control the rising feudal lords’ power by instilling old and backward ideology. Confucius lived in a time of warring Chinese feudal states. Although it is an exaggeration to characterize traditional Chinese life and culture as Confucian, Confucian ethical values have for well over 2,000 years served as the source of inspiration as well as the court of appeal for human interaction between individuals, communities, and nations in the Sinitic world. Margot Willis, National Geographic Society. New Confucianism is a school of Chinese philosophy influenced by Confucianism. (i) Father and Son. East Asians may profess themselves to be Shintōists, Daoists, Buddhists, Muslims, or Christians, but, by announcing their religious affiliations, seldom do they cease to be Confucians. Sometimes viewed as a philosophy and sometimes as a religion, Confucianism may be understood as an all-encompassing way of thinking and living that entails ancestor reverence and a profound human-centred religiousness. Code of Ethics. Gina Borgia, National Geographic Society Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or simply a way of life, Confucianism developed from what was later called the Hundred Schools of Thought from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE). Confucianism is the core of traditional Chinese culture and is also the theoretical basis for maintaining feudal monarchy. All rights reserved. Confucianism, a Western term that has no counterpart in Chinese, is a worldview, a social ethic, a political ideology, a scholarly tradition, and a way of life. series of customs or procedures for a ceremony, often religious. Five relationships. Confucianism is a philosophy and belief system from ancient China, which laid the foundation for much of Chinese culture. Confucianism is not a religion, but a set of principles and ideas that it advocates people to live by in order to have a happy and satisfied life. (iv) … Natural disasters and conflict are the result of straying from the ancient teachings. The political theory starts with a doctrine of political authority based on the mandate of heaven. The most important Confucian text is The Analects. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. made Confucianism the official state ideology. Inspired by the statesmanship of Zhougong, Confucius harboured a lifelong dream to be in a position to emulate the duke by putting into practice the political ideas that he had learned from the ancient sages and worthies. Each had its own contribution to the region. Author of. Confucianism is an ancient Chinese belief system, which focuses on the importance of personal ethics and morality. Confucius may have initiated a cultural process known in the West as Confucianism, but he and those who followed him considered themselves part of a tradition, later identified by Chinese historians as the rujia, “scholarly tradition,” that had its origins two millennia previously, when the legendary sages Yao and Shun created a civilized world through moral persuasion. Nonetheless, it spread to other East Asian countries under the influence of Chinese literate culture and has exerted a profound influence on spiritual and political life. The relationship between Confucianism and Confuciushimself, however, is tenuous. During this time, Confucius schools were established to teach Confucian ethics. Many of us have heard the biblical phrase, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' Confucianism and the monarchy dictatorship constitute the two main body contents of ancient Chinese political history. Confucian philosophy presupposes a view of human nature in which humans are essen… Nor was Confucius the founder of Confucianism in the sense that the Buddha was the founder of Buddhism and Jesus Christ the founder of Christianity. Confucianism is a misnomer for the tradition that is normally referred as ru jia or simply as ru in china. Confucianism was perceived by the Mongols as a Chinese religion, and it had mixed fortunes under their rule. Confucianism definition, the system of ethics, education, and statesmanship taught by Confucius and his disciples, stressing love for humanity, ancestor worship, reverence for parents, and harmony in thought and conduct. one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another, : a rationalistic revival of Confucian philosophy in the 11th century a.d. that exercised a pronounced influence on Chinese thought for over 800 years neo-Confucianism, in which many traits of both Buddhism and Taoism were blended with … Confucianism is an ancient Chinese belief system, which focuses on the importance of personal ethics and morality. By Confucius’s time, however, the feudal ritual system had been so fundamentally undermined that the political crises also precipitated a profound sense of moral decline: the centre of symbolic control could no longer hold the kingdom, which had devolved from centuries of civil war into 14 feudal states. 3. Confucianism developed during the Spring and Autumn Period from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE), who considered himself a retransmitter of Zhou values. is the best-known Confucian philosopher after Confucius himself. The golden rule of Confucianism is “Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.”There is debate over if Confucianism is a religion. National Geographic Headquarters Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Confucius believed that i… the influence from Buddhism and Taoism brought about “Neo-Confucianism,” which combined ideas from all three religions. Confucianism existed alongside Buddhism and Taoism for several centuries as one of the most important Chinese religions. Its influence has also extended to other countries, particularly Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Lord on High may have referred to the ancestral progenitor of the Shang royal lineage, but heaven to the Zhou kings, although also ancestral, was a more-generalized anthropomorphic god. 11th century bce), who was said to have helped consolidate, expand, and refine the “feudal” ritual system. Confucius was a Chinese philosopher, politician, and teacher whose message of knowledge, benevolence, loyalty, and virtue were the main guiding philosophy of China for thousands of years. Confucius was primarily known in China for giving moral advice to the leaders of the country. (ii) A Ruler and a Citizen. He wrote deeply, mostly about individual morality and ethics, and the proper use of political power by the rulers of the world. His journey into the past was a search for roots, which he perceived as grounded in humanity’s deepest needs for belonging and communicating. How much do you know about the teachings of Confucius? Although often grouped with the major historical religions, Confucianism differs from them by not being an organized religion. Mencius (or Meng Ke who lived from 372 to 289 B.C.E.) These are generally provided by Chinese religion, Taoism, Buddhism, or other religion which Confucians follow. 2 words related to Confucianism: philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory. The tradition described by the neologism “Confucianism,” first used by European scholars in the 19th century, is rooted in the “The Scholarly Tradition,” of which Confucius is the most well-known practitioner. Confucianism is one of the most influential religious philosophies in the history of China, and it has existed for over 2,500 years. Confucianism, also known as Ruism, is a system of philosophical and "ethical-sociopolitical teachings" sometimes described as a religion. Confucianism combines a political theory and a theory of human nature to yield a dao (tao) — a prescriptive doctrine or way. Confucianism, a Western term that has no counterpart in Chinese, is a worldview, a social ethic, a political ideology, a scholarly tradition, and a way of life. person who studies knowledge and the way people use it. Partly because of the vitality of the feudal ritual system and partly because of the strength of the royal household itself, the Zhou kings were able to control their kingdom for several centuries. This devotion can take the form of ancestor worship, submission to parental authority, or the use of family metaphors, such as “son of heaven,” to describe the emperor and his government. However, in the Qing dynasty (1644–1912 C.E. He had faith in the cumulative power of culture. Because Chinese cultural patterns (wen) were disseminated, primarily in the form of writing, throughout East Asia, these three teachings spread to Korea, Japan, and parts of Southeast Asia. The Zhou belief in the mandate of heaven (the functional equivalent of the will of the Lord on High) differed from the divine right of kings in that there was no guarantee that the descendants of the Zhou royal house would be entrusted with kingship, for, as written in the Shujing (“Classic of History”), “heaven sees as the people see [and] hears as the people hear”; thus, the virtues of the kings were essential for the maintenance of their power and authority. The family was the most important group for Confucian ethics, and devotion to family could only strengthen the society surrounding it.While Confucius gave his name to Confucianism, he was not the first person to discuss many of the important concepts in Confucianism. Although Confucius presented the family as the foundation of society, he was divorced from his wife and lived with his students. CONFUCIANISM AND BUDDHISMChinese religions are traditionally divided into the three teachings of Confucianism (Rujiao), Daoism (Daojiao), and Buddhism (Fojiao). (iii) Husband and Wife. In fact, Confucius’s sense of history was so strong that he saw himself as a conservationist responsible for the continuity of the cultural values and the social norms that had worked so well for the idealized civilization of the Western Zhou dynasty. Although the earliest dynasty confirmed by archaeology is the Shang dynasty (18th–12th century bce), the historical period that Confucius claimed as relevant was much earlier. Confucianism has been both lauded and condemned in the modern age. Originally, Confucianism was composed of a set of political and moral doctrines with the teachings of Confucius as its basis. You cannot download interactives. Confucianism carries forward the belief that ‘Do not do to others what you would have them not do to you.’ 2. The concept of “heaven” (tian), unique in Zhou cosmology, was compatible with that of the Lord on High (Shangdi) in the Shang dynasty. Confucius' ideas were not accepted during his lifetime and he frequently bemoaned the fact that he remained unemployed by any of the feudal lords. ), many scholars looked for a return to the older ideas of Confucianism, prompting a Confucian revival. Answer: Confucianism, a religion of optimistic humanism, has had a monumental impact upon the life, social structure, and political philosophy of China. This term Confucianism has been taken in the west as the best name for the East Asian tradition with Confucius as its fountainhead. Confucianism is best understood as an ethical guide to life and living with strong character. Confucianism, the way of life propagated by Confucius in the 6th–5th century bce and followed by the Chinese people for more than two millennia. Confucius meaning- Filial piety is a central concept in Confucianism. This moral character is achieved through the virtue of ren, or “humanity,” which leads to more virtuous behaviours, such as respect, altruism, and humility. Confucianism is a set of ethical beliefs, sometimes called a religion, that were developed from the teachings of the scholar Confucius, who lived in the 6th century BCE in China. Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students. Confucius, illustration in E.T.C. Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Society, Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society Washington, DC 20036, National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. In fact, Confucianism built on an ancient religious foundation to establish the social values, institutions, and transcendent ideals of traditional Chinese society. Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy and religion that instructs believers on how to exist in harmony with the universe. Test your knowledge with this quiz. The word Confucianism seems to be the crea… Confucius was a philosopher and teacher who lived from 551 to 479 B.C.E. Rituals in Confucianism were designed to bring about this respectful attitude and create a sense of community within a group.The idea of “filial piety,” or devotion to family, is key to Confucius thought. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. The appeal to cultural values and social norms for the maintenance of interstate as well as domestic order was predicated on a shared political vision, namely, that authority lies in universal kingship, heavily invested with ethical and religious power by the “mandate of heaven” (tianming), and that social solidarity is achieved not by legal constraint but by ritual observance. Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism constitute the essence of the traditional Chinese culture. Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism were the three main philosophies and religions of ancient China, which have individually and collectively influenced ancient and modern Chinese society. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. There are an estimated 6.3 million followers of Confucianism worldwide, mostly located in China and Korea. The rise and fall of various imperial families oversaw waves of innovation and cultural advancement. Stressing the importance of correct behaviour, loyalty and obedience to hierarchy, Confucianism is a system of ethics devised by the Chinese scholar K’ung Fu-tzu (Latinised to Confucius) in sixth century BC China. Privacy Notice |  In 771 bce, however, they were forced to move their capital eastward to present-day Luoyang to avoid barbarian attacks from Central Asia. Take advantage of our Presidents' Day bonus! Unlike Christianity, Confucianism is Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The philosopher Confucius (or Kongzi, c. 551 to c. 479 BCE) is the recognized founder of Confucianism, also referred to as the Ru-jia doctrine or School of Literati as it is known by Western scholars. Confucius lived during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC – 476 BC), during which time the slave society in China was ending and the feudal society was budding. beliefs about what is right or wrong behavior, or the degree to which something is right or wrong. The founding of the religion goes back to one man, known as Confucius, born 500 years before Christ. Confucianism offered a code of proper social conduct motivated by virtue and benevolence toward others.