Source: http://www.religion-cults.com/Eastern/Confucianism/confuci.htm
Confucianism is a "code of conduct" to live this life, and it has had a tremendous impact on how the Chinese live their lives... with a great influence in Chinese government, education, and attitudes toward correct personal behavior and the individual duties to society.
Confucius wanted to be a politician, even a Prime Minister, but he failed... and dedicated to preach good moral conduct... after his death he is the Chinese most influential in the history of China, and had all the honors he never had in life: The Government ordered the "worship of Confucius", and named him the "Co-Assessor with the deities of Heaven and Earth". His precepts and principles were incorporated into the Chinese Law in 210 BC.
His way to please God or the gods is through a "good conduct" with your family, neighbors, and society... if you are a good person, God is going to like you.
Some say that Confucianism is no religion in reality, because Confucius is a philosopher, moralist, statesman and educationist, but no religionist. They say that the thoughts and teachings of Confucius are ethical philosophy, political and educational principle, but not religious philosophy.
The "Jen": The essence of all his teachings may be summed up under this one word ‘Jen’. The nearest equivalent to this difficult word is "social virtue". All those virtues which help to maintain social harmony and peace like benevolence, charity, magnanimity, sincerity, respectfulness, altruism, diligence, loving kindness, goodness are included in Jen.
His "Golden Rule" is: "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do unto others". "The injuries done to you by an enemy should be returned with a combination of love and justice".
The "universal virtues" are: Wisdom, Benevolence, and Fortitude... Asked about what is "Benevolence", he answered: "It is to love all men"; what is "knowledge?: "It is to know all men"... The "perfect virtue": "Gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness".
Confucius laid great stress on the cultivation of character, purity of heart and conduct. He exhorted the people to develop a good character first, which is a priceless jewel and which is the best of all virtues.
The nature of man, according to Confucius, is fundamentally good inclined towards goodness. Perfection of goodness can be found in sages and saints. Every man should attempt to reach the ideal by leading a virtuous life, by possessing a very noble character, and by doing his duty unselfishly with sincerity and truthfulness. He who is endowed with a good character and divine virtue is a princely type of man. The princely man sticks to virtue, and the inferior man clings to material comfort. The princely man is just while the inferior man expects rewards and favours. The princely man is dignified, noble, magnanimous, and humble while the inferior man is mean, proud, crooked, and arrogant.
His teaching was largely concerned with the problems of good government. He said, "The Ruler himself should be virtuous, just, honest and dutiful. A virtuous ruler is like the Pole-star which, by keeping its place, makes all other stars to evolve round it. As is the Ruler, so will be the subjects."
Confucianism is lived in syncretism with any other religion in China... any Confucianist would be very happy to become a Christian!.
I refer to the 3rd paragraph from the bottom:
ReplyDelete"The princely man is just while the inferior man expects rewards and favours."
Hmmm .... interesting.
the capitalists(MIW) agree with you and therefore, adopted confusius doctrines but the result somehow contradicts its values isn't it?
ReplyDeletedo you suppose we have put too much weight/glory on the pricely man at the expense of the common man which can also be justified from...confusius doctrine?
I decided to do some research on Confucius after watching a TV program that explained that he taught harmony, instead of competition.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the people of China did not make big progress during that time, they led a happier life.
I agree with the opinion that Confucianism is a philosophy, not a religion. In fact, it may be even be said to a social and political philosophy. The only reference to worship is the honoring of ancestors. Otherwise, there's no reference to divinity.
ReplyDeleteBefore the arrival of Buddhism in ancient China, Taoism was the only school of teaching that made divinity of nature as it's core.
Mr Tan,
ReplyDeleteAs you rightly pointed out: "The nature of man, according to Confucius, is fundamentally good inclined towards goodness.", however that statement is incompitable (in fact quite the opposite) to Christian's belief whose doctrine is that man is inherently evil and may occasionaly do good. Hence, I disgree with your last statment .."any Confucianist would be very happy to become a Christian!.".
Sincerely,CL
Confucianism was a GCE O Level optional subject in 1980s. Very little student do it with regret.
ReplyDeleteLate Prof Wu De Yeow of NTU, the pioneer of Confucianism movement in Singapore. He was a Catholic.
He push the movement very hard with the establishment of East Asian Institute under NUS. After he passed away, the EAI focus economic research with regret.
China Culture Revolution eliminated virtually all Chinese traditional culture inclusive Confucianism in 1964-1974.
ReplyDeleteThe new generation of Chinese Communist was trying to revive Confuciaism since early 1990.
But, it is a bit late after tons of corruption cases.
Dear Mr Tan, it is not too late for you to make a Confucianism research. It may be late for Singapore to revive good value.
CASINO open soon.
For Confucianism research, it is advisable to read orginal text in Chinese to grasp the actual meaning. It may be hard work if one can not read Chinese scripture, it would be worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThe Islam doctrine in PRC has been incorporated with confucianism about 500 years ago.
ReplyDeleteYou walk in any Chinese Buddhist temple in Singapore, an outsider might thought it is Buddhism.
In actual, it is a hybrid system of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.
The basis for the "good" code of conduct for Confucianism is that "if you are a good person, God is going to like you." There is a belief that you can be good and "earn" God's favour.
ReplyDeleteChristians believe that it is impossible to "be good" to earn God's favour and that everyone should be punish for our sins. No matter what, if one is truthful to oneself, we will know that we are all inherently evil. The hope Christians have is in Jesus who is the only one who can forgive sins as He paid the price we should have paid by being punished on the cross.