|
CONFUCIANISM
K'ung Fu Tzu (Confucius) was born in 551
BCE in the state of Lu in China. He traveled
throughout China giving advice to its rulers and teaching.
His teachings and writings dealt with individual morality
and ethics, and the proper exercise of political power. He
stressed the following values:
- Li: ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc.
- Hsiao: love among family members
- Yi: righteousness
- Xin: honesty and trustworthiness
- Jen: benevolence towards others; the highest
Confucian virtue
- Chung: loyalty to the state, etc.
Unlike most religions, Confucianism is primarily an
ethical system with rituals at important times during one's
lifetime. The most important periods recognized in the
Confucian tradition are birth, reaching maturity, marriage,
and death.
|
|
