Confucianism is the main ancient philosophy of China. This teaching embodies key aspects of Chinese culture. Confucian beliefs have been constantly changing and evolving over the past 2,500 years. Confucianism and Taoism in Western countries are much less widespread than Christianity and Islam. However, in China and in other eastern states, these philosophical teachings were very popular at one time.
What is Confucianism
Confucianism was a code of ethics adopted by most of the great Chinese empires (from 206 BC to 1912 AD). The ideas of Confucius, Mencius and Sun Tzu developed and supplemented for almost 1000 years, until the religious doctrine known as Confucianism was formed from them.
Statue of Confucius at the temple.
Founders of Confucianism (551 - 230 BC)
Three people built the doctrinal framework of Confucianism over the course of 270 years, starting around 500 BC: Confucius, Mencius, and Sun Tzu.
Confucius (circa 551-479 BC)
The creator of Confucian beliefs was Confucius. He was born about 551 BC, during the great heyday of philosophical teachings. It is believed that when Confucius was in his sixties, he returned to his hometown of Qufu in Shandong province. For several years, he taught a group of students who later spread his beliefs and developed their own philosophies.
Teacher Confucius.
Mencius (circa 371-289 BC)
Mencius is now considered the second most important Confucian philosopher. However, during his life he was more influential than Confucius himself, because he taught many nobles and rulers. In his book, Meng Tzu supplements the philosophy of Confucianism with a system of ideas that affirm the kindness and perfection of people. Confucius himself did not put forward such ideas.
Philosopher Mencius.
Sun Tzu (about 313-230 BC)
Unlike Mencius, Sun Tzu taught that human nature is mostly flawed. Sun Tzu taught that human nature is "capricious" from birth, but virtuous teachers can develop morality in others through intense teaching. He advocated strict laws governing personal behavior.
Like Mencius, several decades ago, the Confucian legalist * Sun Tzu worked at the Jixia Academy of the Qi Kingdom. Sun Tzu's writings are systematic, verbose and thoroughly reasoned. He was intolerant of other philosophies and philosophers. In particular, he criticized the teachings of Mencius.
The philosopher Sun Tzu.
* legalist - an adherent of the formal interpretation of law and laws
Confucianism during the Qin Dynasty (260–210 BC)
Sun Tzu taught Li Si, and Li Si became a leading official under the first emperor Shih Huang Ti (260 - 210 BC). In a unified China, strict rules were imposed on everything from language to religion. During this period, many ordinary farmers fell into the bondage of usurers and actually became slaves. It was their forces that created the necropolis of the first emperor Qin, the terracotta army (more than 8100 full-size statues of terracotta warriors buried near the necropolis) and the first Great Wall, the construction of which lasted 38 years.
Li Xi contributed to the "burning of books" during the reign of Emperor Qin and the extermination of possibly thousands of philosophers, including the Confucians themselves. The followers of Confucius incurred the emperor's wrath by believing that the search for the elixir of immortality was a pointless pursuit (at the end of his life, Emperor Shihuandi wished to become immortal).
Confucianism in the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD)
At first, Liu Bang (the first emperor of the Han Dynasty) was against legalism and did not particularly value Confucianism. Later, however, he had a favorite Confucian teacher named Lu Gu, who convinced the emperor of the need for both legalism and Confucianism.
Confucian texts, however, were burned during the Qin book burning campaign in 213 BC. Any philosophical texts of Confucianism that have survived to our times were recreated by scientists in "new texts" which are also called "new writings".
Development of Confucianism under Emperor Wudi (141–87 BC)
Then, under the Emperor Wu Di (Han Wudi, 156–87), who ruled from 141 to 87 BC, Confucianism was institutionalized, that is, it received the status of a system of customs and relations. Khan Woody founded the Imperial Academy to promote Confucian philosophy.
Heavenly Mandate - Who Should Govern
He promoted the idea of the innate noble nature of man, postulated by a Confucian scholar named Dong Zhongshu, who added some legalistic ideas to Mencius's teachings. Later emperors approved of Dong Zhongshu's new kind of Confucianism for its emphasis on the Mandate of Heaven.
Emperor's seal.
The Mandate of the Heavens of Confucianism was a key concept underlying imperial legitimacy. “Heaven” chose a certain person and his descendants to be the mediators between Heaven and people. Man became equal to God. Heaven's decision was voiced through the interpretation of various signs and circumstances.
Contradictions between "old" and "new" texts
During Woody's reign, the texts of some Confucian books were found in the wall of the Confucian clan complex in Qufu. They are believed to have been hidden there to save them from the book burning campaign in 213 BC. These works were published as "Old Texts". Over time, a controversy arose as to which set of documents "new" or "old" texts were correct.
Confucianism during the Tang Dynasty (618–907)
By the time of the Tang Dynasty, the imperial courts still appointed Confucian scholars to the ruling bureaucracy. During special examinations, candidates' literary skills were tested, as well as their knowledge of Confucian texts.
Analogs of Confucius
Confucius himself claimed that he did not invent any new philosophy, but simply passed on the ancient teachings to his students. He usually encouraged people to behave as they should, depending on their role in society. Confucius believed that this is the key to harmony, prosperity and happiness.
Confucian beliefs in our time
The doctrine of the Heavenly Mandate is no longer applicable because there is no longer an emperor in China. Instead of an emperor, most modern Chinese people worship various deities of Taoism and Buddhism, as well as their own ancestors (according to the Confucian doctrine of reverence for parents). Modern Confucian philosophers are little known and have little influence anywhere in the world.
