Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It emphasizes morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity. While it prescribes rituals and respects nature and ancestors, Confucianism is considered a philosophy rather than a religion. It focuses on humanistic ideals like virtue, morality, and filial piety rather than worship of gods. Confucianism had a significant influence on culture, politics, and thought in East Asia over the past 2,500 years.

1. ETHICAL TEACHINGS
IN CONFUCIANISM

2. CONFUCIUS, THE
GREAT TEACHER

3. HISTORICAL
RECORDS

4. Confucianism is always associated with its
founder Confucius. The name Confucius is a
latinized word of the Chinese name Kung Fu Zi. To
the Chinese, Kung Fu Zi means “ The First
Teacher” or “ The Greatest Teacher in China”.
Being the “First Teacher,” Confucius is called by
the Chinese as Master Kong. His name is Qui
Kong; Qui his family name, and Kong called his
first name.

5. Confucius was born in the state called Lu. His
mother prayed at the hill Nich’iu and begat
Confucius in answer to her prayer. There was a
noticeable convolution on his head at his birth,
and that was why he was called Ch’iu (meaning a
“hill”).

6. ACCORDING
TO
ANALECTS

7. He devoted himself to scholarly study when he
reached age 15. At age 17, he was given a minor
government post in his native state of Lu. His
financial status apparently improved, so that he
married at the age of 19 and had a son the next
year. In the middle 20’s, his mother died. Being a
meticulous observer of ancient traditions,
Confucius retired from public

8. life and mourned for his mother at her
grave for 27 months, thus furnishing the Chinese
with a classic example of filial piety.

9. CONFUCIUS,
THE
TEACHER

10. By the time he was twenty he had opened a
school and become a teacher. His method was not
to discover new ideas, but only to transmit the
wisdom of the ancients. His only aim in teaching
was to give a faithful interpretation of the past to
others. The reputation of his personality and
wisdom spread rapidly, and attracted many
followers.

11. CONFUCIUS,
CHIEF-
MAGISTRATE

12. His administration was so successful that the
happiness of its citizens got around. This excited
the curiosity of the Duke of the province of Lu,
who asked Confucius how he was able to get the
loyalty and cooperation of the citizens.

13. CONFUCIUS’
METHOD

14. Confucius is reported to have explained:
“ I rewarded those who were good, and punished
those who were bad.” The people soon learned
that it was good to be good and bad to be bad,
and they became good and good people are loyal
to each other and to the government.

15. CONFUCIUS’
DEATH

16. He died at the age of 72 in 479 B.C. He became
more famous after his death. He never intended
to found a new religion, but the prince of Lu
erected a temple in his honor, and sacrifices were
offered to him.

17. THE SCRIPTURES
OF
CONFUCIANISM

18. The Five Classics
1. The Book of Changes is a manual of
divination, to assist in seeing future
consist of a series of ancient
together with later commentaries
2. The Book of History is a collection of
documents ascribed to Emperors
down to the early Chou dynasty.

19. It is moral and religious narrative which
teaches the lesson that Heaven blesses only
virtuous rulers with peace and prosperity.
3. The Book of Songs is a collection of three
three hundred short poems, most of which
belong to the Chou period in which Confucius
lived.

20. 4. The Book of Rites is a code of rules
about worship, and about social and
relationship. It remains to this day
authoritative guide for Chinese
ethics.
5. The Annals of Spring and Autumn
records events in the State of Lu
hundred years.

22. Is Confucianism a
Religion?

23. Most religions can be defined as having a God
or group of gods, an organized priesthood, a
belief in a life after death, and established
traditions.
While it prescribes a great deal or ritual, little of
it could be constructed as worship or meditation
in a strict sense. However, Tian is sacred to many
Confucians. Confucius occasionally made
statements about the existence of other

24. worldly beings that sound distinctly agnostic
and humanistic to European and American ears,
so Confucianism is often considered a secular
ethical tradition and not a religion.
Although Confucianism may include ancestor
worship, sacrifice to ancestral spirits and abstract
celestial deity, and the deification of ancient kings
and even Confucius himself, all these features can

25. be traced back to non-Confucian Chinese beliefs
established long before Confucius.
Generally, Confucianism is not considered a
religion by Chinese or other East Asian people. Many
Buddhists state that Buddhism is not a religion, but
philosophy, and this is partially a reaction to negative
popular views of religion. Confucians maintain that
Confucianism is not a religion, but rather a moral code
or philosophic worldview.

26. If religion is by definition worship of supernatural
entities, the answer must be that Confucianism is not a
religion. If a religion is defined as a belief system that
includes moral stances, guides for daily life, systematic
views of humanity and its place in the universe. Then
Confucianism most definitely qualifies.