Moral Presentation Confucius 3n3e1y

MORAL STUDIES PRESENTATION ON CONFUCIANISM

ROLE MODEL

ESCHATOLOGY(AFTER LIFE) • He said of himself; “I am a humble man when young; I was not born with knowledge, but I am fond of antiquity and quick seeking knowledge, and how dare I be called a sage or a humane man”. • In short, he is saying that he is just an ordinary man, not a representative of God.

• He advised his disciples not to speculate on what ghosts and spirits might do and what could happen after death. • He concerned in reality and life.

HISTORY OF CONFUCIUS • Born in the ancient state of Lu (modern Shantung), in 551 BCE. Died on 479 BCE. • Married at the year of 19, bear a daughter and a son. • The father of Confucianism.

• His teachings are amalgation of Buddhism and Taoism. • He travelled the countries to spread his teachings.

• The four holy books: 1.Chung Yung or the Doctrine of the Mean 2.Lun Yu or the Analects of Confucius 3.Meng Tzu or the writings of Meng Tzu (371-289 BCE) 4.Ta Hsueh or the Great Learning

RELATIONSHIP • Father to son • Husband to wife • Elder brother to younger brother • Ruler to ruled • Friend to friend

INSTITUTION (FILIAL PIETY) • A young man should be filial to his parents at home and respectful to his elder brothers out of doors. He should be cautions and trustworthy, love the multitude extensively and be close to those who are humane. If there is energy to spare, he can study the classics

Cont’ • Indicates the stages of a young man’s efforts at self-cultivation, • To begin by loving one’s parents and brothers and then to go forward to love the multitude are steps towards one’s acquisition of humanity

• This perspective on life reflects Confucius’ view on family life and family education. The family was very important in his eyes because generally people spent their early years with their parents and formed their characters under their influence. Thus the family influenced the direction of their lives.

INSTITUTION (GOVERNMENT)

Government Rule by virtue- moral qualities of the ruler and measures he uses in governing his state

Rectification of namessocial status and political must be properly founded humane governmenttreatment of populace

-behavior and speech must be in keeping with one’s status, ethical codes -his words can be convinced

INSTITUTION (TEACHER and STUDENT) • Confucius and his students were united on the basis of the Way which the master formulated. They worked for the same objective and cause-the propagation and realization of the Way.

• Confucius showed deep concern for and loved his students, always ready to answer their questions, and gave them instruction and criticism. His students, in return, were unreservedly loyal and reverent towards him; some of them accompanied him on his journey through the states, sharing with him all the attendant difficulties and dangers.

MORALITY • “To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.”

八德“ba de” (Eight Virtues) • 孝 “xiao” : filial piety - A love and respect for one’s parents and ancestors - Among all the good deeds, filial piety comes first.

• 忠 “zhong” : Loyalty/Faithful - Relationship between prince and minister/friend - “Be loyal to others”[13.19]

• 仁“ren” : humane - Fundamental quality of man and fundamental virtues. • 爱 “ai” : Love - Love the population - “Love the people extensively” [1.6]

• 信 “xin” : Trustworthiness - Trust, faithfulness and sincerity • 义 “yi” : Rightness - Criterion for his conduct and behaviour - “The gentleman knows what is right; the small man knows what is profitable.”[4.16]

• 和 “he” : Harmony - The gentleman favors a world in which a multiplicity of diverse views and phenomena exist in harmony. • 平 “ping” : justice - I teach everyone without making distinctions.[15.39]

孝忠 -

loyalty to one’s people

(xiao zhong)

and country, parents

仁爱 - kind and caring (ren ai)

among one another

信义 - can be trusted, keeps (xin yi)

promises

和平 - fair to all for the sake (he ping)

of peace in the world

From virtuous individuals to universal peace.