Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese religion based on the teachings
of Confucius a philosopher who died about 479 B.C. Confucianism
has no organisation or clergy. It does not teach a belief
in a deity or the existence of life after death. Confucianism
stresses on moral and political ideas. It emphasises on respect
for ancestors and Government authorities and teaches that
rulers must govern according to high moral standards.
Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism have been the major religions
in China. But Confucianism had the greatest impact on the
Chinese society. It was the State religion of China from 100
B.C. to 1,900 A.D. Confucius's scriptures called "The
Five Classics and Four Books" served as a foundation
of the Chinese education system for centuries.
Beginning in the 1,000s, a more philosophical approach to
Confucianism, known, as "New Confucianism" became
widely popular. New Confucianism also influenced Japanese
moral codes and philosophy.
In 1949, the Chinese communists gained control of China.
The Government officially condemned Confucianism as well as
other religions. As a result, most followers of Confucianism
lived outside mainland China. In 1970's, however, the Communist
Government relaxed its policy against religion and so, Confucianism
enjoyed a revival on the mainland.
Confucian Canon
(the "Four Books")
Although three of four of these books are traditionally attributed
to Confucius (K'ung-tzu, 551-479 B.C.) it has been established
that he did not write a single word of them; they were written
down by his students after his death. The Analects come closest
to an actual exposition of his philosophy. These works were
put into their present form by Chu Hsi in the late twelfth century
A.D. These four books were required reading in order to pass
the civil service exminations, (started in 1315), which were
the gateway to employment in the Imperial bureaucracy. The translations
are by James Legge, from his 'Chinese Classics' series.
Confucian
Analects (Lun Yü) The Analects were a collection
of sayings written down by Confucius' students in the period
approximately seventy years after his death
Mencius
(big file, all 28 chapters) The second book in the Confucian
canon, the Meng-tzu, is named after its author, also known as
Meng K'o or Mencius (371-289 B.C.).
The
Great Learning (Ta Hsüeh) The actual translation
of the title of this work is 'Education for Adults'. The text
was written between 500 and 200 B.C.
The
Doctrine Of The Mean (Chung Yung) This work, which is
more mystical than the other Confucian classics, is of unknown
date.
The Five Classics
Shu Ching is the Book of Historical Records; it describes
events dating back to the third millenium B.C., and was written
down during the Han dynasty (23-220 A.D.).
Shih Ching is the Book of Odes, it contains poems
dating back to 1000-500 B.C
I Ching is the Oracular Book of Changes dating
to approximately 3000 B.C., which makes it one of the oldest
sacred texts
Li Ki is the Book of Rites which describes Chinese
religious practice from the eighth to the fifth century B.C.
Ch'un Ch'iu is the Spring and Autumn AnnalsThere
was also a sixth classic, the Classic of Music (the Yüeh
Ching), which was lost
Many more texts are available here |
