Confucianism
Is Confucianism a religion?
Confucianism is often called a religion, but it is really a code of
behaviour. It tells people how they should act towards each other.
The teachings of Confucius
The man we call Confucius lived about 2500 years ago in China, during a time
of war and chaos. He taught that there was a proper order to everything in
the universe.
Confucius believed that society would be successful if every person knew his
or her place. He said that there were five important relationships:
- Sons should respect and obey their fathers. Respect for parents is
called 'filial piety'.
- Ordinary people should respect and obey their kings or emperors.
- Young people should respect and obey older people.
- Wives should respect and obey their husbands.
- Friendships should be based on trust.
According to Confucius, if people followed these rules there would be peace
and harmony.
Rights and responsibilities
Confucius also taught that people have rights and responsibilities. For
example, although a father is head of the family, he should also look after
the other family members. Similarly, a king should be obeyed but should
also look after his people. According to Confucius, only an educated man
who is capable of being fair and just to his people is fit to be a king.
The value of age
Confucius taught that young people should respect and obey older people
whose experience had made them wise. At the same time, older people should
treat young people kindly. They could be strict but not cruel.
Ancestors
Confucius extended the respect for older people to respect for ancestors.
He taught that people should learn from history and the experience of their
ancestors.
Rituals were developed to honour ancestors. These rituals are often called
'ancestor worship', but people disagree about whether this is really a
religion or not.
Confucianism in Korea
Confucianism spread from China to other countries in East Asia and arrived
in Korea in AD 300 or 400. After 1392, the Choson kings ruled according to
Confucianism. Buddhism then became less important. Confucianism was
dominant in Korea for 500 years. Korean society today still relies heavily
on the teachings of Confucius in everyday life.
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