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Confucianism

Definition: Confucianism
Source of values, scholarly tradition, and social view inspired by the teachings of Confucius in the sixth century BCE in China.
Fast Facts on Confucianism
Adherents 5-6 million
Date Founded Source of values, scholarly tradition, and social view inspired by the teachings of Confucius in the sixth century BCE in China.
Place Founded Source of values, scholarly tradition, and social view inspired by the teachings of Confucius in the sixth century BCE in China.
History Based on the teachings of Confucius (551–479 BCE, China)
Founders Source of values, scholarly tradition, and social view inspired by the teachings of Confucius in the sixth century BCE in China.
Ethics benevolence, reciprocity, filial piety
Practices none
Texts Analects
Symbols Chinese characters for scholar and water, yin-yang, Confucius images

Confucianism (rujiao) is a way of life taught by Confucius (Kong Fuzi) in China in the 6th-5th century BCE and the rituals and traditions associated with him.

Sometimes viewed as a philosophy, sometimes as a religion, Confucianism is perhaps best understood as an all-encompassing humanism that is compatible with other forms of religion.

Confucianism has deeply influenced spiritual and political life in China; its influence has also extended to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. East Asians may profess themselves to be Shintoists, Taoists, Buddhists, Muslims, or Christians - but seldom do they cease to be Confucians.

"Confucius," the common name of Confucianism's founder, is a Latinized form of the Chinese K'ung-fu-tzu, "Master K'ung." The terms "Confucianism" and "Confucian" are not meaningful terms in Chinese. They are Western terms, coined in Europe in the 19th century.[#1582]

Sources & Further Reading

  1. "Confucius." Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. . Accessed 22 Nov 2016.
  2. Weiming, Tu. "Confucianism." Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. . Accessed 22 Nov 2016.