Kong Fuzi: Confucius's Legacy

714 Words2 Pages

Caroline Zapert
History fair rough draft – paper
January 11, 2015

Kong Fuzi, more commonly known as Confucius, left behind a legacy that has globally influenced moral wisdom, philosophy, and spiritual harmony. A man with a way with words. In the chapter thirteen of the Analects, Confucius states, “Modesty is next to virtue.” Yet, as Confucius very diligently lived according to his proverbs, various temples known as Kong Miao were constructed in his honor shortly following his death. Even today, followers of Confucius from each corner of the globe travel to temples like these to worship him. Confucius once said,
The original and most notable Kong Miao is the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, China. This particular temple, being one of thousands, …show more content…

Qufu is one-third of a larger Confucian site in China known collectively as the "Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu." There are approximately 100,000 descendants of Confucius who live in Qufu alone.
In some ways, those who are unaware of the mere existence of Confucius are influenced by his proverbs. Classrooms, homes, and public places worldwide display posters and art relating to Confucian text. Some literally live with his proverbs for a lifetime by tattooing his words on their bodies.
Even today, ancient Confucian principles are still relevant. In times of uncertainty or hardship, it is not uncommon for people to turn to their family and traditions in search for comfort and guidance. However, in China, people are now finding that the teachings of Confucius are helping them deal with today’s materialistic and highly competitive society. China has the world’s fastest growing economy.
Confucius spoke of principles such as freedom, morality, sincerity, and justice. These virtues are timeless, and are a certain continuity that will never …show more content…

It takes into account the Confucian emphasis of collective good over individual good. Confucius emphasized ruling by morality, filial piety, and discipline, which certainly has proved itself to be far more effective than choosing a ruler based on military strength. A modern core country could not exist as we know it under a violent, dictator-like head of state. Today, it is believed that if one worships Confucius, it will have a positive impact on their life. However, Confucianism was not always as popular in China. During the cultural revolution in the 1960s, Confucian principles came under attack for their alleged links to the former ruling class. But, as people march into an uncertain future, plagued by a global financial crisis, turning to ancient principles has become a prominent practice. The Confucian revival is painstakingly evident at the imperial college that neighbors Beijing’s Confucius Temple. Confucianism is not only a chief principle in students’ textbooks, but also in the hearts of the Chinese

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