HISTORY OF CONFUCIANISM

CONFUCIUS

• Lived 551 B.C. – 479 B.C. in the spring and autumn period.
• Born in the Zhou empire, in the state of Lu.
• Chinese philosopher and politician.
• Held several positions within the the Lu government, and slowly rose in rank.
• Sought to unite Lu state and centralize power by dismantling fortifications that separated several cities. Confucius succeeded in dismantling the fortifications, however the cities were soon attacked.
• Confucius then went into exile and traveled throughout the Zhou empire teaching his political philosophy in different states. His teachings were then passed and became the basis of Confucianism.
• Authored, edited, compiled the 5 classics and four books.

MAP OF STATES IN ZHOU (TIME OF CONFUCIUS)

TRAVELS OF CONFUCIUS

KEY SCRIPTURES

FOUR BOOKS

• Great Learning – Political text written by Confucius , and his disciple Zengzi.
• Doctrine of the Mean – Political written by Confucius’s grandson Zisi.
• Analects – Speeches by Confucius.
• Mencius – A collection of conversations between Confucian scholar Mencius and Chinese Kings.

FIVE CLASSICS

• Classic of Poetry – A collection of poems and short collections.
• Book of Documents – A collection of speeches and documents written by rulers of Zhou.
• Book of Rites – Describes ancient rites.
• I Ching – Contains a divination system.
• Spring and Autumn Annals – History of the State of Lu, Confucius home state.

PRE-CONFUCIUS

• Shang dynasty ruled from 16^th century B.C. – 11^th century B.C. and worshipped a deity called Di.
• The Zhou dynasty ruled from the 11^th century B.C. to the 3^rd century B.C. In the 8^th century the empire broke in two, the Eastern Zhou and the Western Zhou.
• When the Zhou dynasty overthrew the Shang they believed it was because the Heavens favored them. This became known as the Mandate of Heaven which then became a traditional way of justifying the right to rule.
• The Shang worshipped a deity named Shangdi, while the Zhou worshipped a deity named Tian. Both names are translated to mean heaven.
• The folk religion that was practiced in China prior to Confucianism was called Ruism. Confucius became the most famous Ru philosopher.
• Confucius lives at the end of the Zhou Dynasty, and often reflected on the early Zhou state as inspiration for his teachings seeking to revive Zhou’s ancient political practices. He especially idolized the Duke of Zhou, a government advisor who lived in the 11^th century B.C.

SHANG DYNASTY

EASTERN ZHOU

WARRING-STATES PERIOD (475-221 B.C.)

• After the Zhou Dynasty loses power China becomes politically unstable as several states fight for control of territory.
• Confucianism competes for followers with several other ideological movements including Collectivism, Individualism, Legalism and Daoism. As a collection these different movements were known as “The Hundred Schools of Thought.”
• Following Confucius death his followers brake up into sects.
• Mencius (371– 279 B.C.) a Confucius Sage helped increase the popularity of Confucianism. Promoted the idea that there should be a class in society devoted to teaching.
• Xunzi (310-235 B.C.) became another famous Confucius philosopher who helped increase the popularity of Confucianism.
• When the Qin Dynasty to came to power at the end of the 3^rd century B.C. they banned Confucianism in their support of Legalism.

THE WARRING STATES PERIOD

CONFUCIANISM (200 B.C.- 900 A.D.)

• Beginning in 206 B.C. under the Han Dynasty, the government respected religious freedom.
• However the Han government quickly fell under the influence of Confucianism. In 141 B.C. under Emperor Wudi Confucianism became state religion. Confucian Classics became core curriculum for education systems.
• Dong Zhongshu becomes an important Confucius scholar who helps spread Confucianism during the Han dynasty.
• Taoists lead rebellions which end the Han Dynasty.
• After the fall of the Han Dynasty Confucianism declines in popularity while Buddhism and Taoism becomes more influential.
• During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) Confucianism begins to play role in how the government bureaucracy is organized.

MAP OF HAN DYNASTY

REVIVAL OF CONFUCIANISM (900 A.D.- 1368 A.D.)

• Song Dynasty (960 A.D.-1279 A.D.) saw the revival of Confucianism. Literature begins to be produced in mass amounts. Zhu Xi becomes the most famous Confucius of this period.
• Several dynasties in Northern China IN the same period come under Confucian influence including the Liao, Xi Xia, Jin dynasties.
• When the Mongols conquer China they adopt Confucianism, and establish the Yaun Dynasty.
• The Yaun Dynasty establishes a civil service exam based on the Four Books. This exam continues to be practiced until 1905.

MAP OF�SONG DYNASTY

SONG WITH JIN DYNASTY

CONFUCIANISM IN OTHER COUNTRIES

• Confucianism spreads into Korea during Joseon Dynasty, which lasts from 1392-1897 A.D. A Korean Confucius scholar named Yi Hwang who lives from 1501-1570 becomes most famous Korean Confucius.
• In Japan Yi Hwang’s teachings are introduced to the Japanese philosopher Yamazaki Ansai in the 17^th century. By the end of century the majority of literate Japanese have read the four books.

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CONFUCIANISM (1368 A.D. – PRESENT)

• The Ming Dynasty continues Confucius tradition. Wang YangMing becomes an influential Confucius thinker during the period.
• The Qing Dynasty also continues Confucius tradition.
• Western influence in the 19^th century began to cause Chinese to question Confucianism.
• The term Confucianism originated in 1860, created by Westerners to describe the Chinese religion.
• The Communist revolution in 1949 represses Confucianism.

8 SECTS OF CONFUCIANISM

• Mencius – Taught that human nature is essentially good.
• Xunzi – Believed human nature is evil, and people need authority.
• Dong Zhongshu – Human nature is neutral, and people make their own choices.
• Song Confucianism - Formed during the Song Dynasty and focused on self cultivation.
• Ming Confucianism – Formed during the Ming Dynasty and focused on how your actions related to the earth and not the heavens.
• Korean Confucianism - Focused on Mencius’s concepts of the four emotions.
• Qing Confucianism – Formed during the Qing Dynasty was controlled by the Qing Emperor. Scholars had to conform to the Emperor’s beliefs or risk being punished.
• Modern Confucianism – Began in 1919 after the May 4^th movement. Confucianism is initially attacked as demands for the use of democracy and science increase. China begins being modernized but Confucian themes remain.

SPREAD OF CONFUCIANISM

MAP OF CONFUCIANISM IN CHINA

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