An Introduction to Confucianism

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Confucius

Confucius is the founder of Confucianism. The name "Confucius" is the Latin name for Kong Qiu-zi. Confucius was born in the village of Zou in the country of Lu in 551 BC. He was a poor descendant of a disposed noble family. As a child, he held fake temple rituals; as a young adult, quickly earned a reputation for fairness, politeness, and love of learning, and he was reputed to be quite tall. When he was 35 years old, Duke Zhao of Lu led his country to war, this was routed and fled to Qi. While he was there, Duke Zhao would frequently go to him for advice, but after the counsel of one of his minister, Zhao was unable to give Confucius land and eventually stopped seeking advice. He eventually went back to Lu.

At age 50, he was approached by the Baron of Qi to help defend against a rebellion, but he declined. Later on he became a city magistrate by the new Duke of Lu, and under his administration the city flourished; he got promoted several times, eventually becoming Grand Secretary of Justice, and at age 56, Chief Minister of Lu. Neighboring countries were afraid that Lu was becoming too powerful, so they sent gifts and dancers to distract the Duke during a sacrifice holiday. As the Duke was abandoning his duties, Confucius resigned and left the country.

Confucius spent the next five years wandering China with his disciples, finding that his presence at royal courts was rarely tolerated for long before nobles would begin plotting to drive him out or have him killed. He was once arrested and jailed for five days, and at age 62 he was pursued, along with his disciples onto the countryside by a band of soldiers sent by jealous nobles, until he was able to send a messenger to the sympathetic king of a nearby cou...

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...nsidering that Confucianism had no missionaries, monks, or pilgrims, unlike Buddhism. Confucianism and its ideas never left China. The most important idea was the family and the state.

Confucianism also spread to other East Asia countries. The Chinese believed that their culture and learning were universal. This means it was open for all who would want to become civilized. Confucianism offered things such as a writing system, sophisticated philosophy and religion, and fine art.

Countries, such as: Vietnam, Korea, and Japan loved the culture because they could now read and write some even spoke Chinese languages. Many officials read the Five Classics. As time went on, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan became adapted to the Confucian values that shaped China. This new found relationship China was linked to the one of the Five Relationships, elder brother/younger brother.

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