Confucianism2

‍‍**Confucianism** **Origin:** Founded by: Master Kung - Kung Tzu - Kung Fu Tzu - "Confucius" -Lived in China 551 - 479 BC -Attempted to restore political order -Very little is known about his life - his biography was written 400 years after death -His teaching became a religious philosophy -Devoted his life to learning - natural teacher -Honored only after death media type="youtube" key="OT4uvY5K17k" height="315" width="560" align="center"

**Basic Beliefs:** -The Way - truths of the universe -Virtues -Ideal Character -Goodness of man, benevolence, definition of humanity - most important quality -Ultimate reality cannot be understood by man -Human morals are to be based on human relationships -Knowledge of right and wrong -Righteousness is only achieved when one consistently does what is right -Purpose of existence: to reach one's highest potential as a human being -Suffering and evil are inevitable -Afterlife is beyond human comprehension -Humans should act to uphold human relations as opposed to the promise of an afterlife
 * Controversial term
 * Similar to the "Truth"
 * Sage - highest level
 * Good man
 * Complete man
 * Overwhelming the self
 * Return to observance of rites
 * Born with knowledge
 * Obtain knowledge through studies

**Religious Practices:** -Rituals united people and strengthened relationships -Ancestor worship

**Sacred Texts:** Analects The Five Classics The Four Books
 * 1) Shu Ching (Classic of History)
 * 2) Shih Ching (Classic of Odes)
 * 3) I Ching (Classic of Changes)
 * 4) Ch'un Ching (Spring and Autumn Annals)
 * 5) Li Ching (Classic of Rites)
 * 1) Lun Yu (Analects) of Confucius
 * 2) Chung Yung (Doctrine of the Mean)
 * 3) Ta Hsueh (Great Learning)
 * 4) Meng Tzu (Mencius)

**Sacred Sites:** -Divine sites are beyond human comprehension -No sacred places outside of life on earth

**Famous Quotes of Confucius:** "I set my heart on the Way, base myself on virtue, lean upon benevolence for support and take my recreation in the arts."

"When you make a mistake, do not be afraid of mending your ways."

"Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage."

"Not to mend one's ways when one has erred is to err indeed."