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Confucianism Topic, Background, Doctrines, Beliefs and Data
- 1. Confucianism Lesson 11: Introductionto World Religion Your Name / Class / Date
- 2. Lesson Overview /Objectives • Explain the historical origins of Confucianism • Describe core teachings & beliefs • Identify major practices and rituals • Discuss contemporary issues & criticisms
- 3. Historical Context &Origins • Time & place: 5th–6th century BCE, China • Founder: Confucius (Kongzi / Kongfuzi) • Era of social & political unrest • Need for moral guidance & social order
- 4. Key Figures &Texts • Confucius (Kǒng Qiū): Teacher & philosopher • Mencius (Mengzi), Xunzi: Later thinkers • Important texts: Analects, Mencius, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Book of Rites
- 5. Core Teachings &Beliefs • Ren ( 仁 ) - Benevolence, humaneness • Yi ( 义 ) - Righteousness • Li ( 礼 ) - Ritual propriety • Zhi ( 智 ) - Wisdom • Xin ( 信 ) - Trustworthiness • Five Relationships (e.g., ruler–subject, father– son) • Filial piety (Xiao, 孝 )
- 6. Moral & EthicalFramework • Ideal person: Junzi ( 君子 , 'gentleman') • Self-cultivation & virtue ethics • Importance of education & reflection • Rectification of names: proper social roles
- 7. Practices & SocialApplication • Ancestral worship, honoring elders • Rituals and ceremonies • Confucian influence in governance & civil exams • Confucian temples & shrines
- 8. Confucianism in Governance •Political philosophy: rule by virtue • Mandate of Heaven: moral legitimacy of rulers • Officials as moral exemplars • Meritocracy & education in bureaucracy
- 9. Adaptations & Schools •Neo-Confucianism (Zhu Xi, Wang Yangming) • Blending with Daoism & Buddhism • Modern Confucian revival in China, Korea, Vietnam
- 10. Contemporary Issues &Criticisms • Criticism: patriarchy, rigid hierarchy • Conflicts with democracy & individual rights • Modern relevance: ethics, education, cultural identity • Reinterpretations for present society
- 11. Comparative Aspects • Comparedwith Daoism & Buddhism • Strengths: moral order, education, ethics • Limitations: rigid structure, conservatism
- 12. Summary & KeyTakeaways • Origins in ancient China, founded by Confucius • Core values: Ren, Yi, Li, Zhi, Xin • Emphasis on family, social harmony, virtue • Still relevant today, despite criticisms
- 13. Discussion / ReflectionQuestions • How do Confucian values fit in modern society? • Which Confucian teachings are most relevant today? • Is Confucianism a philosophy or a religion?
- 14. References • Lesson 11:Confucianism (SHS Introduction to World Religion) • The Analects, Mencius, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean • Scholarly works on Confucianism & world religions