Confucianism in China
Connection to Current Times
What Confucius Taught
You may be familiar with the saying, “Do unto
others as you would have them do unto you.”
Many people associate those words with the
teachings of Jesus Christ. Would it surprise you to
learn that about 500 years earlier a Chinese
scholar named Kongzi taught his students the
same Golden Rule? That’s right! Kongzi, known in
the Western world as Confucius, delivered the
same message: Do not do to others what you do
not wish to be done to you.
This sketch from 1883
represents Confucius.
Because he lived so long
ago, no one really knows
what Confucius looked like.
Confucius lived in China from 551 to 479 BCE. He
thought that China had once had a glorious
“golden age,” or a time when the civilization was
most prosperous and people lived in peace. He believed that if everyone from
peasant to ruler followed the Golden Rule, heaven would bless the nation. The
emperor would have obedient subjects, the land would bring forth many crops,
and there would be good weather.
Confucius is known today because of his work as a teacher. In fact, he spent his
whole life devoted to learning and teaching, and he wanted all people to have
the opportunity to be educated. He greatly respected people who spent time
studying and learning. His words were collected in a book called The Analects.
For thousands of years, the Chinese people memorized the teachings of
Confucius. His teachings even became the basis of examinations that people
had to pass in order to work for the government.
Today, the study of Confucius’s teachings is called Confucianism. Confucianism
is not a religion, but rather a philosophy. The philosophy of Confucianism offers
guidelines for living, with the goal of helping to create a more ordered society.
There are several key parts to Confucianism. Among these is the idea of the Five
Relationships. The relationships that Confucius defined were father and son,
elder brother and younger brother, husband and wife, older friend and younger
friend, and ruler and subject. Confucius believed if all people in these
relationships treated one another with respect, it would create harmony and
order in society. Notice that three of the relationships are family relationships.
Confucius felt that the family was the most important part of society.
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Confucianism in China
Connection to Current Times
Confucius also believed in the idea of ren, which means “right action.” Ren is
guided by respect for oneself and respect for others. Confucius believed that ren
was the goodness in life, that all people should strive to seek ren in their own
lives, and that people should pass ren on to others.
Confucianism in the Family
Confucius considered the family to be the most basic part, or the building block,
of society. He taught that children were to respect, obey, and care for their
parents. This concept is called filial piety. Respect for all elders would lead to a
good society. In addition, Confucius believed in honoring ancestors.
Early in the 1900s, some leaders decided that Confucius’s emphasis on filial
piety had harmed many people. Because sons were taught to give up their own
dreams to care for their families, some leaders felt this had slowed down the
country’s progress.
The concept of respecting one’s elders, however, was deeply engrained in
Chinese culture and is even evident today. In many Chinese homes today, a
separate area is set aside for statues or photographs of loved ones who have
died. Those who die are thought to undergo 49 days of judgment. Their families
create a special altar to pray for them. On the 50th day, the person is considered
one of the many ancestors. Chinese families also observe grave-sweeping day
every year. They may take offerings of food, paper money to burn, and incense
to the graves as well. In this way, Confucius’s emphasis on honoring ancestors
continues in modern times.
Confucianism in Education
Although Confucius was Chinese, his ideas spread to other countries in East
Asia and have continued to influence other cultures. In Singapore, for example,
the government decided in 1982 that Confucian ethics, or moral behavior,
would be taught in high schools. Confucius’s ideas are also taught in some
colleges in the People’s Republic of China.
Some Chinese elementary schools require students to read traditional classic
books by authors like Confucius. Students memorize and recite from the Four
Books. These are the great Chinese writings, which include Confucius’s work.
Other schools offer a weekend or after-school program in the classics. Both
teachers and parents want students to know Confucian thought and to follow its
moral teachings.
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Confucianism in China
Connection to Current Times
Confucianism in Government and Business
China has gone through many political changes in the past century. Until the
early 1900s, people who wanted government jobs had to study the teachings of
Confucius and pass an exam. During the communist era, however, some leaders
tried to get rid of traditional thinking. Confucius’s ideas were thought to slow
down China’s progress toward becoming a
modern society. Leaders tried to destroy
Confucius’s influence, but failed.
In recent decades, politicians have come to
value Confucius’s teachings. They
sometimes quote him in political speeches.
One of Confucius’s ideas is called
“harmonious society.” Confucius thought
that government should help people and
that nations should live together
peacefully. This is an important idea in a
world that is often in conflict.
These stones at the Temple of
Confucius in Beijing are inscribed
with the words that Confucius is said
to have written.
Modern China has the world’s second-largest economy. It also has the world’s
largest labor force. China is shifting from a communist economy, in which the
state controlled all business. Now the country practices a more capitalistic
model. In capitalism, it is the people and companies, not the government, that
own businesses.
China is the world’s biggest exporter of goods. To do business with companies
in other countries, China must get along with them. Living in harmony has
again become important. Chinese business leaders see Confucian ideas as
useful when doing business in a modern world. People who follow Confucian
ideals are hard workers and believe in helping others.
In every aspect of life, Confucian thought has left a deep imprint on Chinese
culture and daily life. Confucian ideals of living in harmony have affected family
life, with its emphasis on filial piety and respect for ancestors. Confucius has
influenced education, government, and business as well. Nearly 2,500 years
after he lived, Confucius and his philosophies remain important to the Chinese
people.
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Confucianism in China
Connection to Current Times
After reading the passage, answer the following questions:
1. In Confucian thought, what does the idea of filial piety mean?
A. never asking questions of adults
B. respecting parents and other adults
C. giving part of one’s salary to the government
D. taking a test in order to get a job
2. For centuries, what was required of people who wanted jobs in
government?
A. They had to finish their college degree first.
B. They had to sign a promise of loyalty to the emperor.
C. They had to agree to give part of their salary to parents.
D. They had to pass an exam on Confucius’s writings.
3. What changes in modern China have made Confucianism popular
again?
A. China is now more capitalist and a major exporter.
B. China now has the world’s largest population.
C. China is a major tourist spot, and people want to see temples.
D. China now has leaders who require people to read Confucius.
4. The teachings of Confucius are still highly regarded today. Explain
Confucius’s philosophy and decide if his teachings can improve
society. Provide details from the passage to support your answer.
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