Confucianism
By Isabel Ford and Easton Rex
Religious Data
• Confucianism is categorized as Ethnic, and is described as a
philosophy, rather than a religion.
• Confucianism has approximately 6.3 million followers.
• Confucianism has slightly less followers than Judaism, but slightly
more than Jainism.
• Confucianism is growing, but slower than it had been over the past
100 years.
• To Confucian, you simply must follow the basic principles of
Confucius’ philosophy.
Religious Hearth and History
• Confucianism began in China after the death of Confucius, and
spread outward from there.
• Confucianism began as the teachings of Confucius, who was a
Chinese Philosopher. After he died, his disciples spread the
religion across China, and it began to grow.
Diffusion
• Confucius’ disciples spread across China, bringing his teachings
and philosophies with him.
• Most of the followers of Confucianism are in Southeast China.
• Confucianism started in the Himalayas, and spread throughout
China and India.
• Confucianism was spread mostly through relocation diffusion,
with Confucius’ disciples spreading it.
• When Confucius died, his disciples moved across China, but
continued to spread his teachings.
Diffusion (continued)
• The religion is growing , but very slowly, and all things
considered, is staying fairly steady in terms of followers. It is
mostly growing in China and India.
• The core area of Confucianism is still where it began, in China.
There has been very little growth throughout the rest of the
world.
Religious beliefs
• There are five virtues taught in Confucianism. These are Ren, or
humaneness; Yi, or honesty; Li, or propriety; Zhi, or knowledge;
and Zin, or sincerity.
• Confucianism is and ethnic religion, as it focuses on regional and
cultural practices, rather than global ones.
• Both the yin yang symbol and the Chinese symbol for water are
associated with Confucianism.
• Confucianism does not have any branches. However, it is very
closely related to Taoism.
• In Confucianism, they celebrate Easter Monday, the Ching Ming
festival, and Confucius’ birthday.
Religious Beliefs (continued)
• They have the Five Classics and the Four books, which hold all
the teachings of Confucius.
• Some people take a pilgrimage to Confucius’ home, but this is
not a vital part of the religion.
Religious Landscape
• Confucianism is based very fundamentally around peace and
harmony with nature. As a result, many followers are very firm
and involved with conservation and nature.
• As Confucianism is not a traditional religion and has no
worshiping services, there are no buildings.
• Confucianism lends itself to advancing ecology and conservation
through its first virtue, Ren. When it refers to love, it also refers
to nature and animals. As a result, Confucianism as a whole is
very supportive of nature and the environment.
Disposing of the Dead
• Confucianism does not have specific sacred spots or sites for
burial.
• Confucianism is very emphatic about ancestor worship, and
honoring their deceased family.
• They tend to bury their dead traditionally.
Cultural Interaction of the Religion
• Confucianism is said to be the basis of all major religions in
China. This means that any major decisions made in China,
whether they be political, economic, or social, tend to be rooted
in the principles of Confucianism. It also led to the development
of several other Religions, such as Taoism.
Religious Conflict
• As Confucianism is not a true religion and does not have worship
services or holy places, they have not had any major conflicts or
wars.
Bibliography
• http://www.patheos.com/Library/Confucianism
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism
• http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/confucianism.htm