CONFUCIANISM

is an ethical and philosophical system, on occasion described as a

religion, developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius

CONFUCIUS

Kǒng Fūzǐ, or K'ung-fu-tzu, lit. "Master Kong", 551–479 BCEConfucius was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history.

Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical

teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period,

but later developed metaphysical and

cosmological elements in the Han Dynasty.

Historically, cultures and countries strongly influenced by Confucianism include mainland

o Chinao Taiwano Hong Kongo Macauo Korea o Japan and o Vietnam

"Confucianism“ rú meaning "scholar"

the word rú in ancient China has diverse meanings. Some examples include, "weak", "soft", "to tame",

"to comfort" and "to educate".

Three of these use rú are the jiā, jiào and xué carry different implications as to the

nature of Confucianism itself.

Rújiā which literally means "house" or "family".

Rújiào and Kǒngjiào the noun "teach", used in such terms as "education", or "educator".

Rúxué which means "study".

The Five Classics and the Confucian vision

I Ching or Classic of Change or Book of Changes

Classic of Poetry or Book of Songs Book of Documents or Book of History Book of Rites Spring and Autumn Annals

Tian and gods

Tian (天 ), commonly translated as "Heaven" or "Sky",

Zhou period oracle bone script

but philologically meaning the "Great One", "Great Whole", is a key concept in Confucianism

Ethics

Confucius and disciples, statues of the Ashikaga Gakko, a Confucian school and oldest academy of Japan.

Confucian ethics is characterized by the promotion of virtues, encompassed by the Five Constants

• Rén (仁 , humaneness);• Yì (義 , righteousness or justice);• Lǐ (禮 , proper rite);• Zhì (智 , knowledge);• Xìn (信 , integrity).