Confucianism

Question 0

Five Classics

Answer 0

Collection of books that were considered the primary special texts of early Confucianism

Question 1

Analects

Answer 1

• the most authentic material about Confucius

* collections of his teachings and his discourses with his disciples

Question 2

Jen

Answer 2

• central teaching of Confucius
• translated as goodness. It is the inward expression of Confucian ideals.
• all should seek to develop Jen in striving towards become a superior human being

Question 3

Li

Answer 3

• Jen describes inward orientation
• Li has more to do with ones outward social behavior
• Li is the Confucian ideal that one should strive to perfect in relationships with others particularly in the Five Relationships…

Question 4

Five Relationships

Answer 4

1) Ruler to Subject
2) Father to Son
3) Elder brother to younger brother
4) husband to wife
5) friend to friend

–> all the relationships (except #5) are inferior to superior relationships

Question 5

Confucianism = more like an ethical system than a typical religion

Answer 5

• like Buddhism or Taoism, Confucianism doesn’t teach the worship of a god.
–> instead Confucianism is primarily a code of conduct teaching love and kindness for your fellow man

Question 6

Confucianism relies heavily on RITUAL

Answer 6

• such outward shoes of propriety and devotion meant nothing unless accompanied by the proper inner disposition (Jen)
• ritual is so important that Confucianism is often called the ritual religion

Question 7

Ancestor cult

Answer 7

• the ritual sacrifices demonstrate the Confucian ideals of respect for elders and respect for the past
• when one dies, the lower, or animal, soul called “po” descends with the body to the grave. The upper, or intellectual, soul called “Hun” ascends to the world above

Question 8

Mencius

Answer 8

Strongly asserted that the human nature was basically good, but he believed that the only reason all people are not virtuous is because of their environment

Question 9

Mandate of Heaven

Answer 9

Mencius articulates a theory of political power called the Mandate of Heaven which describes the ruler as the MEDIATOR between Heaven and earth

Question 10

Hsun-tzu

Answer 10

• Known as the SECOND greatest interpreter of Confucius behind Mencius
• teaches that the human nature is inherently EVIL
• goodness comes only through training

Question 11

Mohism

Answer 11

• main rival of Confucianism

* Mo-tzus

Question 12

Confucianism became a state orthodoxy under the Han dynasty, which used Confucian orthodoxy to legitimatize it’s Heavenly mandate to rule

Answer 12

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Question 13

Tuang Chung-shu

Answer 13

• Most influential scholar in consolidating Confucian gains during early Han times
• used philosophical arguments to persuade the ruler to govern benevolently according to Confucian principles