Confucianism

=Confucianism in the Song Dynasty= Ena Kantardzic

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=Who is Confucius?=

Confucius or Kung Fu Tzu (as he was known back then) was a wonderful man, teacher, philosopher and (later on) a great religious leader. But he himself did not know that he started a belief. We will get to that later… For now, let’s start with the beginning of it all.

Confucius was born in 551 BCE into a rich family. But soon, his family got into trouble with the emperor so he took away their wealth and their home.

Confucius grew up as a hard-working and smart child. When he grew older people said he was wise, polite, fair, and loved to learn things. His family sent him to school in Zhou. When Confucius finished school, he went back to the city of Lu and he became a teacher. When he was in his mid 30’s Confucius wanted to get into politics, (his main interest was to figure out ways for the government to do a better job of taking care of the people). That did not work out for Confucius so he went back to teaching in Lu.

Confucius did work for a while as a city magistrate and then as Chief Minister of Lu when he was about fifty years of age. Once he saw that the Duke of Lu was not doing a good job, Confucius quit and left his city.

Confucius spent the rest of his life traveling from town to town around China with his students and friends giving advice to people as he went. Most people didn’t like his advice. Once he was even thrown in jail for five days because of it! When he was 67 years old, he returned to his hometown of Lu and lived there till he was 72, till he died.

=Confucian Philosophy=

Confucius became a very important Philosopher after his time. His main idea was that people could achieve peace by doing their duty, and cooperating with society. If people rebelled, and everyone tried to do whatever they wanted to, then the world would be full of fighting and unhappiness.

He thought that people should do what they were told to and that they should obey the law. Also, people should do their duty to their parents and take good care of their children, and people should do their duty to their ancestors and to the gods.

At the same time Confucius thought the government should do its part as well. As you may have read before, one of his main goals was to figure out ways for the government to do a better job of taking care of the people, not abuse them or ask too much of them. The emperor should be cooperative and helpful to the people just as the people were helpful and cooperative to him.

Confucius was hated during 500 BC by emperors like Shi Haungdi. He actually burned Confucius’ books. Then later on emperors started to like Confucius and his ideas so much that by 960 AD he became extremely popular with the Song Dynasty. He practically started a religion without even knowing it. Around 1000 AD Confucianism got mixed with a sort of Buddhism and it got really popular. Compared to the other dynasties, Confucianism had regained its power. This is why the Song became one of the most successful and most recognized for their ways.

Have you learned enough? I am sure you did! Confucianism was a big part of China and still is today, our teachers are like Confucius; they spread the knowledge!

Ruler to Subject
=Uh oh… Pop quiz!=

1. According to this piece, where was Confucius’s hometown?

2. Why did rulers dislike Confucius?

3. Why do you think people mixed Confucianism with Buddhism?

4. What was one of Confucius’s main goals in life for himself and China?

Related sources: Analects