Who is Confucius?

Who is Confucius?

Who is Confucius? To some he may appear as a joke. However, Confucius,

in reality, was not a laughingstock. He was a man who strived to bring

peace and happiness to a world ravaged by crime and war. Confucius " did

not look for paradise in the next world " like other religions but

rather he was more concerned with achieving happiness in one's own

lifetime.

A respected Chinese philosopher, Confucius, or "Kung Fu Tzu," began as

a teacher, stressing the importance of self-discipline and generosity.

He thought the gentlemen, or "Chun Tzu" was the key to a good social

life. Although "Chun Tzu" was a title reserved for princes, Confucius

expanded its meaning to include anyone of "good moral character." He

believed that these people were rulers and that others would be

encouraged to follow in their example. He believed in treating others

with respect and in turn, they would reciprocate that respect. This

could be linked to what came to be referred to by Confucius as the

"golden rule" - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

More philosophical than religious, his teachings act more as a guide

for self-improvement. It is based upon these teachings for a better self

and an improved government that led to the concept of Confucianism.

Confucius took an angle with his teachings that was moral, political

and ethical. He felt that if there was righteousness in the heart that

it would to beauty in the character, which would lead to harmony in the

home and then order in the nation. Finally, if there were total order in

the nation, order would create peace in the world. Confucius believed

that rule should be through morality and not violence or force.

He believed ...

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...successful, search for his body in the river. Realizing that they

would not find it, they threw rice wrapped in leaves into the river so

that the fish would not disturb him.

Today, on the fifth of May in the Lunar month, people make rice wrapped

in leaves and race boats to honor Qu Yuan.

Despite the celebration of lavish festivals, however, it is believed

that Confucianism will never again be formally practiced in China. It

has succumbed to a communist government that has no place for it.

Sources

Religions of the World CD-ROM- Mentorom Multimedia - 1995

The World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia 1997

http://www.religioustolerance.org/confuciu.htm

http://www.stockton.edu/~gilmorew/consorti/2jeasia.htm

http://www.wam.umd.edu/~tkang/ideal.html

http://www.fresian.com/confuci.htm

http://www.albany.net/~geenius/knogfuzi

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