Confucianism Flashcards
Sanjiao
three teachings/philosophies/religions
Chines religion Emphasize?
Right action over right belief
Confucianism
origins: confucius
First DutyL to understand how to achieve and maintain peace, prosperity, harmony
Concerned with: Political, familial, individual, and cosmic
The Five Classics
Book of Changes Book of History Book of Poetry Book of rites Spring and Autumn Annals
Divination and the Pantheon of Spirits
- King took role of Shaman
- Head of pantheon: Lord-on-high (Sky god)
- Nature Spirits (rivers and mountains)
- Celestial Spirits (Sun and moon)
- Ancestors
Yin and Yang
Female and Male
Five Fundamental Relationship
Emperor and Minister; Father and son; elder and younger brother; Husband and Wife; friends
The Analect
Manual for governance
Mencius
- He opposed feudal belligerence
- four types of xin (heart-mind) lead to benevolence, Observance of rites, duty, or wisdom
- He believed that a rulers positive character did not always affect laity (as they need supervision and discipline)
- emphasis on qi: vital force, spirit, energy
The Classic of Filiality
Filiality is the basis of all virtues, and foundation of public morality
Book of Change
generally held to be the earliest of the classics, shows a metaphysical vision which combines divinatory art with numerological technique and ethical insight; philosophy of change sees cosmos as interaction between the two energies yin and yang, universe always shows organismic unity and dynamism.
Classic of Poetry
is the earliest anthology of Chinese poems and songs. It shows the poetic vision in the belief that poetry and music convey common human feelings and mutual responsiveness.
Book of Documents
Compilation of speeches of major figures and records of events in ancient times embodies the political vision and addresses the kingly way in terms of the ethical foundation for humane government. The documents show the sagacity, filial piety, and work ethic of Yao, Shun, and Yu. They established a political culture which was based on responsibility and trust. Their virtue formed a covenant of social harmony which did not depend on punishment or coercion.
Book of Rites
describes the social forms, administration, and ceremonial rites of the Zhou Dynasty. This social vision defined society not as an adversarial system based on contractual relations but as a community of trust based on social responsibility. The four functional occupations are cooperative (farmer, scholar, artisan, merchant).
Spring and Autumn Annals
chronicles the period to which it gives its name, Spring and Autumn Period (771-476 BCE) and these events emphasize the significance of collective memory for communal self-identification, for reanimating the old is the best way to attain the new.
