Chinese Philosophy and Religions
Confucius (551 BC-479 BC) Personal name: 丘 Styled 仲尼 Great thinker & educator A descendant of a noble family in the Song State Family decline
Confucius placed a high value on ethical cultivation and a harmonious relationship. Benevolence is in effect the spirit of “Harmony” (和)。 “Harmony” is one of the most important features of the Chinese traditional culture.
Confucius’ Educational Ideas
Private school Pupils included children of aristocrats as well as common people. Confucius changed the tradition that nobody but nobilities had the right to receive education. Travel about and instruct disciples More than 3000 disciples
educational circles
Only through painstaking efforts could one obtain knowledge “I am not born with knowledge” (吾非生而知之者) Be honest in the attitude toward learning “Know what you really understand and admit what you don’t know ” (知之为知之，不知为不知) Learn and constantly review what you learned. 学而时习之
己所不欲, 勿施于人 Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
君子和而不同 Gentlemen are harmonious but different Difference should be recognized, do not judge with a single standard, so that harmony and stabilization of a society would be accomplished.
Learn the new by restudying the old. 温故而知新 Students should be modest in learning from others From any three people walking, I’ll find something to learn for sure. 三人行，必有我师
The divination of good or ill luck with Eight Trigrams
Confucius Thought -仁 (benevolence) Loving people Love and devotion to parents and loyalty to the country filial piety -- the most important thing in the life of a family (respect and obedience) Loyalty – the biggest thing in the society Loyal, honest and faithful to those in higher ranks
Mencius
Inherited the Confucian thoughts and doctrines. 孔子有个徒弟叫曾子，孔子有个孙子叫子思， 曾子是子思的老师，子思是孟子的老师。 Politician, thinker and educator during the period of warring states. 春秋战国 (公元前770年－公元前221年）
Chaste widows were revered as heroes during the Ming and Qing periods, and deemed so central to China’s culture and the fate of all peoples. memorial archway It is improper for man and woman to hold each other’s hands, pass objects from hand to hand it is not good for man and woman to be too intimated 大门不出，二门不迈
In teaching methodolody Students should be taught in accordance with their aptitude. Confucian educational thoughts and methodology are recorded in the histቤተ መጻሕፍቲ ባይዱrical book “The Analects of Confucius” 《论语》 Looked upon physical labor.
三人行，必有我师 From any three people walking, I’ll find something to learn for sure. Travel about and instruct disciples More than 3000 disciples Confucius changed the tradition that nobody but nobilities had the right to receive education.
His later years, compiled and preserved many literary works of ancient time: The Book of Songs《诗经》, the Book of Documents 《尚书》 (historical record of Shang / Zhou Dynasty) the Book of Changes 《周易》
“the Confucius-Mencius Doctrine” （孔孟之道） Spiritual tool in maintaining the feudal system and ruling people. Orthodox ideas of the feudal society
3) Four Books and Five Classics The Great Learning 《大学》 The Doctrine of the Mean 《中庸》 The Analects 《论语》 The Mencius 《孟子》
Women in Confucian thought A virtuous woman was supposed to uphold “three subordinations”: Be subordinate to her father before marriage, To her husband after marriage, and To her son after her husband died. Men could remarry and have concubines, women were supposed to uphold the virtue of chastity when they lost their husbands.
Classic of Changes 《周易》 Classic of Poetry 《诗经》 Classic of Rites 《礼记》 Classic of History 《尚书》 Spring and Autumn Annals 《春秋》
The Dacheng Hall, the main hall of the Temple of Confucius in Qufu
The principles of feudal moral conduct: “the Three Cardinal Guides” (三纲) Ruler Guides Subject Father Guides Son Husband Guides Wife “the Five Constant Virtues”(五常) Benevolence Righteousness Propriety Knowledge sincerity