"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."
The five fundamental virtues that Confucianism emphasizes, which are benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness.
Confucianism: Confucianism is a traditional Chinese philosophy that emphasizes the importance of education, family, social responsibility, and moral values.
The Five Virtues (Wu De): The Five Virtues are the fundamental qualities that every person should cultivate to become a better human being. They are benevolence (Ren), righteousness (Yi), propriety (Li), wisdom (Zhi), and faithfulness (Xin).
Ren (Benevolence): Ren refers to the virtue of kindness, compassion, and humanity towards others. It is the foundation of all other virtues and is the most important of the Five Virtues.
Yi (Righteousness): Yi refers to the virtue of doing what is right and just. This includes being honest, fair, and trustworthy.
Li (Propriety): Li refers to the virtue of proper behavior and respect for social norms and customs. It includes manners, etiquette, and appropriate conduct in various situations.
Zhi (Wisdom): Zhi refers to the virtue of knowledge and understanding. It includes cultivating one's knowledge and intellect to make wise decisions and judgments.
Xin (Faithfulness): Xin refers to the virtue of loyalty and trustworthiness, including keeping promises and fulfilling obligations.
The Analects: The Analects is a collection of sayings and teachings of Confucius, the founder of Confucianism. It is an essential text for learning about Confucian philosophy.
The Four Books: The Four Books are four books of Confucian teachings that were used in traditional Chinese education. They include the Great Learning, the Doctrine of the Mean, the Analects, and the Mencius.
The Five Classics: The Five Classics are five ancient Chinese texts that were studied in traditional Chinese education. They include the Book of Changes, the Book of History, the Book of Poetry, the Record of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals.
Confucian Ethics: Confucian ethics emphasizes the importance of moral values, social responsibility, and filial piety. It includes concepts such as the Five Virtues, the Rectification of Names, and the Golden Rule.
Tian (Heaven): Tian refers to the concept of heaven in Confucianism. It is seen as the ultimate source of morality and the standard for human behavior.
Junzi (Gentleman): Junzi refers to the ideal of a morally upright and virtuous person. It is an important concept in Confucianism and is often used as a model for behavior.
Filial Piety: Filial piety refers to the duty and respect that children owe their parents and ancestors. It is an important concept in Confucianism and Chinese culture.
The Rectification of Names: The Rectification of Names is a Confucian principle that emphasizes the importance of using language and titles correctly to maintain social harmony and prevent confusion.
Heaven, Earth, and Humanity: In Confucianism, there is an emphasis on the harmony between Heaven (the spiritual world), Earth (the physical world), and Humanity (the human world).
Confucian Rituals: Confucianism has many rituals and ceremonies that are important for maintaining social order and promoting virtue, such as ancestor worship and the performance of Confucian classics.
Ren (仁): Benevolence/Humaneness: The core principle of Confucianism, Ren refers to treating others with compassion, kindness, and empathy.
Yi (义): Righteousness/Justice: A virtue that involves doing what is morally right and just, even in difficult or challenging circumstances.
Li (礼): Rites/Ceremony: Li refers to the rituals and customs associated with etiquette and behavior in society, as well as the respect and reverence shown to one's ancestors and elders.
Zhi (智): Wisdom/Knowledge: This virtue emphasizes the importance of education, intellectual development, and the pursuit of knowledge throughout one's life.
Xin (信): Honesty/Sincerity: Xin refers to the importance of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness in all interactions with others, as well as being true to oneself.
"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."