ConfucianismRyan and Rochelle

A religion in China

Confucianism

Kong Qiu (K’ung ch’iu) commonly known as Confucius

Founder

• Born about 551 B.C.E. and died around 479 B.C.E.

• was a teacher

• considered himself a failure

• focused on respect when teaching

About Confucius

Confucius’ disciples assembled aphorisms and created the texts that Confucianism followers live

by.

Historical context

Symbols

The Water Symbol which represents the “Source of Life”

This symbol represents total tranquility and dignity in your life

Known as the “Jen” and represents “social virtue”

Deities

Dont believe in a god Try to better society and themselves

Origin

“Lu”

Confucianism Today

Followed in 5 different countries and has 6,300,000 followers.

How Confucianism Spread

• Relocation Diffusion

• Expansionism diffusion

• Confucianism was also spread through missionaries. People would pick up the beliefs and follow

the religion themselves.

Sacred Texts

• Collections of aphorisms and stories called the “Analects”

• The Five Classics which include “Classic of Poetry”, “Book of Documents”, “Book of Rites”, “Book of Changes”, and

“Spring and Autumn Annals”

Places of Worship

• Confucius says ordinary living space is sacred. (they don’t believe in god so sacred place is not as relevant)

• In more modern times, there were temples and Confucianism schools that scholars used for a sacred place.

Roles of Men and Women

• Women at the bottom

• Extreme obedience and behavior was expected

• Not allowed to see other men that were not close relatives or masters

• Men often had multiple wives and mistresses.

Holy Sites• The Forbidden City

• Cemetery of Confucius

Holidays

• Confucius’s Birthday is celebrated each year on September 27th.

• celebrated with a festival starting at 4:00 In temples all over China

Creation Story

They believe that the interaction between the Yin and Yang is the cause for of creation. Tao, or the Great Ultimate, is the cause of change and creates Yin and Yang. Confucians believe that we came from Tao, the Great Ultimate which is said to be the force that infuses the universe.

The Afterlife

They don’t intertwine with heaven and hellAncestor worship is practicedWhat happens after to you after you die is less important than how you live up to your commitments to the dead while living.

Rules

• Confucian ethics are characterized by the promotion of virtues and morals.

• virtues they follow are covered in the 5 constants

Purpose of Life

• They believe in being as perfect as possible

Influence on Architecture

Ancient courtyards were strongly influenced by the hierarchical Confucianism code of conduct, which drew strict distinctions between interior and exterior, superior and inferior, and male and female.

for a memorial arch to be in your your name you needed to have the highest form of recognition

Hierarchical Rankings and Government

• China's government spends a great deal of money on the reconstruction and restoration of old Confucian temples.

• They have a ranking system. you are only so high on the totem pole, it is similar to the Caste system

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT4uvY5K17k

works cited• http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/cosmos/ort/confucianism.htmCohen, Myron L., and Stephen F. Teiser. "Confucianism and Confucianism Tradition." Confucianism. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013

• http://www.biography.com/people/confucius-9254926

Confucius. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 12:21, Dec 18, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/confucius-9254926.

• http://religion.answers.wikia.com/wiki/What_are_the_important_dates_in_Confucianism

"Wikia." Religion Answers. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013

• http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/han/

"Chinese Han Dynasty: Emperors, Achievements." Chinese Han Dynasty: Emperors, Achievements. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.

• http://www.patheos.com/Library/Confucianism/Ritual-Worship-Devotion-Symbolism/Rites-and-Ceremonies?offset=1

Richey, Jeffery. "Confucianism." Rites and Ceremonies. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.

works cited (cont’d.)• http://www.patheos.com/Library/Confucianism.html"Library." Confucianism Origins, Confucianism History, Confucianism Beliefs. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2013

• http://www.markville.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/history/religion/seth.confucius.htmSeth, Anisha. "Confucianism." Hrt3m World Religions. N.p., 2008. Web. 17 Dec. 2013

• http://www.faithresource.com/showcase/confucianism/confucianismoverview.htm"Confucianism." Confucianism. AFF and CYS, n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.

• http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/confucianism.htm"Confucianism." - ReligionFacts. N.p., 13 Dec. 2013. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.

• http://www.beijingattractions.org/Beijing-Heritage/Forbidden-City.html"Beijing Attractions." Forbidden City, World Heritage, Palace Museum, China Emperor's Residence. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec.

2013.

• http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shandong/qufu/masnion.htm"Qufu Confucius Family Mansion, Kongfu, Confucius Cemetery, Shandong." Qufu Confucius Family Mansion, Kongfu,

Confucius Cemetery, Shandong. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.

• http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/events-festivals/chinese-festivals/birthday-of-confucius.jspt"Birthday of Confucius." Hong Kong Tourism Board. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013

• http://www.china.org.cn/english/olympic/211894.htm"Confucius' Birthday -- China.org.cn." Confucius' Birthday -- China.org.cn. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.