Confucianism
is a "code of conduct" to live the life. It is concerned with how
the people live their lives and their behave. It also involves with other
aspects of life, like conduct of a government towards education, and
attitudes of people toward minding personal course of action and their
duties towards society.
Confucianism doesn’t believe in any kind of teaching on the worship of
God or Goddess, there are no holy shrines- no construction of churches,
temples, or belief in life after death. Confucianism is actually a
philosophy of life, not a Religion... like Buddhism.
It was the State religion of China from 100 BC to 1,900 AD. Confucius's
records hold "The Five Classics and Four Books" served as a base
of the Chinese education system for centuries.
The Founder of Confucianism
Kung-futze, "master Kung",--a great philosopher, who was the
founder of Confucianism in China during 5551- 479 AC. He was also known as
Confucius, the religion took its name from him only.
Confucianism has no preying complex. It stresses on ethical and political
ideas. It stresses on, regard for ancestors and Government authorities and
teaches and that rulers must command according to high moral standards.
Kung-futze (Confucius) wanted to be a politician and later on he started
preaching good moral conduct. He become the most prominent person in the
history of China, and had all the tributes that he was deprived of during
his lifetime. The Government ordered the "worship of Confucius",
and related him as a "Co-Assessor with the deities of Heaven and Earth".
His doctrine and principles were established into the Chinese Law in 210 BC.
The
"Great Learning" Trough Confucianism
Confucius disclosed the course through which the self- evolution is
achieved and by which it flows over into the common life to serve the state
and sanctify human race. The order of development, which Confucius set
forth, is as follows- Investigation of phenomena, Learning, Sincerity,
Rectitude of purpose, Self-development, Family-discipline, Local
self-government, and Universal self-government.
His teachings were largely concerned with the problems of good government.
He said--- "The Ruler himself should be virtuous, just, honest and
dutiful. A virtuous ruler is like the Polestar, amidst all other stars that
revolves around it. What a Ruler is like its subject will also be like it.
The "Jen"-Confucius Teachings
The spirit of all Confucius ‘s edification may be compiled up under
this one word ‘Jen’ also called as “social virtues”. All
those discretion which assist to sustain social amity and pacification like
good will, charity, generosity, honesty, respectfulness, benevolence, zeal,
loving kindness, goodness are included in Jen.
His "Golden Rule" - He believed in "What you do not want to
be done to yourself, do not do with others". "The injuries done to
you by an enemy should be returned with a combination of love and justice".
Confucius laid great stress on the cultivation of character, purity of
heart and conduct. He urged earnestly to the people to develop as a better
human being, which is a most cherished gem and which is the superlative of
all virtues.
Disapprobation of Confucianism by Chinese Government.
When Chinese communists came into power in 1949 in China, the Government,
in an established manner accursed Confucianism as well as other religions.
As a result, most followers of Confucianism left the city and started
residing outside the main land China. In 1970's, however, the Communist
Government ease its policy against religion, therefore, Confucianism enjoyed
a renaissance on the mainland.
