Religion grade 12

1. Confucius and His Teachings
Coach Parrish
OMS
Chapter 5, Section 2

2. Founder
 Confucius – Chinese teacher and
philosopher. He was the founder of the
religion Confucianism.
 The religion is based on the writings
and teaching of Confucius. Most stories
contain a moral message.

3. Life of Confucius
 Confucius was the most famous – and
important – of the early Chinese
thinkers. The Chinese called him Kong
Fu Zi or “Master Kong.”

4. Early Years
 Confucius was born in 551 BC to a
noble but poor family of the North
China Plain. He loved learning and was
mostly self-taught. After he failed to
succeed at advancing in government,
he began to teach.

5. Pioneer Teacher
 Many historians think that Confucius was
China’s first professional teacher because
he charged a fee for students.
 Confucius taught his students his views on
government and life. He searched for a
ruler that would follow his teachings but
he died having never found one. He
thought he was a failure.

6. Teachings of Confucius
 Confucius did not claim his teachings to
be original. He thought his teachings
were the works of wise men before
him.
 He hoped to bring peace, stability, and
prosperity to China’s kingdoms.

7. Confucianism
 Confucius himself never wrote down his
teachings. Instead, his students
gathered a collection of his sayings
after his death.
 His writings became a philosophy –
system of beliefs and values, that
became known as Confucianism.

8. Bringing Order to Society
 The goal of Confucius was to bring
peace and order to China. He lived
during a time where Chinese kingdoms
were fighting for control.
 Confucius believed that if people could
behave correctly toward one another,
peace would come.

9. Respecting Others
 Confucius taught that people should know
their place in life and society. They should
respect people above and below them.
 The Five Relationships
1. Ruler and Ruled
2. Father and son
3. Husband and wife
4. Older Brother and younger brother
5. Friend and Friend

10. Religious Traditions
 Although Confucianism is a philosophy,
it has been a religion for many people.
Many Chinese used Confucianism along
with other religions.
 Taoism supported the ideas of living a
balanced life with nature. Taoism is
based on the writings of Laozi, who
lived in the 500s BC.

11. Influence of Confucius
 The teachings of Confucius came to have a
major effect on Chinese government. The
teachings became part of the basic training
for members of civil service – a group of
people who carry out the work of
government.
 After the teachings of Confucius, the Chinese
merit system was removed. Before
government jobs were given to the sons of
powerful men.

12. Rising to High Positions
 The examination system did not open
government jobs to everyone.
Candidates still had to know how to
read. This law made it difficult for the
poor man to enter government.