"Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China, and is variously described as a tradition, philosophy, (humanistic or rationalistic) religion, theory of government, or way of life."
A philosophical system and religion from China that emphasizes ethical behavior, family values, and social harmony.
The life and history of Confucius: The biography of Confucius and the historical context of his teachings and influence on Chinese society.
The Analects: A collection of sayings and ideas attributed to Confucius, embodying his philosophy and teachings.
The Five Classics: A collection of ancient Chinese books, including the Book of Documents, Book of Odes, Book of Changes, Book of Rites, and Spring and Autumn Annals, that were considered essential for Confucian learning and education.
The Five Virtues: The five fundamental virtues that Confucianism emphasizes, which are benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness.
The Five Relationships: The five social relationships that Confucianism emphasizes, which are between ruler and subject, father and son, elder and younger brother, husband and wife, and friend and friend.
The concept of filial piety: The Confucian idea that children are obligated to respect and care for their parents and other elders in their family.
The concept of ren: The Confucian virtue of benevolence, which involves cultivating a sense of compassion and empathy towards others.
The concept of li: The Confucian concept of propriety or social norms, which involves behaving in accordance with established customs and practices.
The concept of junzi: The Confucian ideal of the 'gentleman' or 'superior person' who embodies the virtues of a wise and morally upright leader.
The concept of tian: The Confucian concept of the 'heavenly mandate' or the will of the divine, which was believed to guide and bless rulers who behaved in accordance with moral principles.
Confucianism in contemporary society: The current state and influence of Confucianism in modern China and other countries, and its cultural, political, and social implications.
Classical Confucianism: Classical Confucianism refers to the ethical, moral, and political teachings of Confucius and his followers, emphasizing the importance of cultivation of virtue, social harmony, and hierarchical relationships.
Neo-Confucianism: Neo-Confucianism refers to the philosophical and ethical system that emerged in China during the Song dynasty, blending Confucian principles with Buddhist and Taoist ideas.
Modern Confucianism: Modern Confucianism refers to the contemporary reinterpretation and application of Confucian teachings in response to the changing sociopolitical and cultural landscape.
New Confucianism: New Confucianism is a 20th-century philosophical and religious movement that seeks to reinterpret traditional Confucian values and teachings in response to modern challenges.
Korean Confucianism: Korean Confucianism is a religious and ethical system that combines Confucian teachings with traditional Korean beliefs, emphasizing the importance of filial piety, ancestor worship, and harmonious social relationships.
Vietnamese Confucianism: Vietnamese Confucianism is a religious and philosophical tradition that blends Confucian teachings with local customs and beliefs, emphasizing harmony, ancestor worship, and the moral development of individuals and society.
Singaporean Confucianism: Singaporean Confucianism refers to the adaptation and integration of Confucian values and teachings within the multi-religious and multicultural context of Singapore.
Taiwanese Confucianism: Taiwanese Confucianism refers to the unique blend of Confucian teachings, local beliefs, and cultural practices observed by people in Taiwan.
"Confucianism developed from what was later called the Hundred Schools of Thought from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE)."
"Confucius considered himself a transmitter of cultural values inherited from the Xia, Shang, and Western Zhou dynasties."
"Confucianism was suppressed during the Legalist and autocratic Qin dynasty, but survived."
"During the Han dynasty, Confucian approaches edged out the 'proto-Taoist' Huang–Lao as the official ideology."
"In the late Tang, Confucianism developed in response to Buddhism and Taoism and was reformulated as Neo-Confucianism."
"The abolition of the examination system in 1905 marked the end of official Confucianism."
"The intellectuals of the New Culture Movement of the early twentieth century blamed Confucianism for China's weaknesses."
"With particular emphasis on the importance of the family and social harmony, rather than on an otherworldly source of spiritual values, the core of Confucianism is humanistic."
"According to American philosopher Herbert Fingarette's conceptualization of Confucianism as a philosophical system, it transcends the dichotomy between religion and humanism."
"While the Confucian concept of tian shares some similarities with the concept of a deity, it is primarily an impersonal absolute principle like the tao or the Brahman."
"In religious Confucianism, liturgy led by Confucian priests or 'sages of rites' to worship the gods in public and ancestral Chinese temples is preferred on certain occasions."
"The worldly concern of Confucianism rests upon the belief that human beings are fundamentally good, and teachable, improvable, and perfectible through personal and communal endeavor."
"Some of the basic Confucian ethical concepts and practices include ren, yi, li, and zhi."
"Ren is the essence of the human being which manifests as compassion. It is the virtue-form of Heaven."
"Yi is the upholding of righteousness and the moral disposition to do good."
"Li is a system of ritual norms and propriety that determines how a person should properly act in everyday life in harmony with the law of Heaven."
"Zhi is the ability to see what is right and fair, or the converse, in the behaviors exhibited by others."
"Traditionally, cultures and countries in the East Asian cultural sphere are strongly influenced by Confucianism, including China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam."
"Today, it has been credited for shaping East Asian societies and overseas Chinese communities, and to some extent, other parts of Asia."