1. Religulous Presents Confucianism
By: Cindy Lo
Paul Munoz
Desiree Navarro
Adriana Rubalcaba
David Sor

2. Historical Background
Confucianism is an ethical philosophy based on the teachings of K’ung Fu-tzu ( BCE), or Confucius in Latin.
Confucius was a social and ethical teacher who lived in a chaotic period of time in China.
Three most powerful clans: the Chi, Meng, and Shu.
Confucius was born into the minor aristocracy class, or Shih in the feudal state of Lu, what is now Shantung Province.
Confucius travelled and taught his message of social and ethical reform.
Adriana Rubalcaba
At the time of his birth, the Chou dynasty was in decline and many of the social, ethical, and spiritual values were being subjected to re-examination.
The authority of the Chou sovereign, the supreme authority over state and religious affairs, was challenged in many aspects. Feudal lords were creating their own rules, ministers asserted themselves with different clan affiliations.
For generations the shih class served as administrative bureaucrats.
Confucius’ father died when he was just a child. He was raised and supported by his mother.

3. Historical Background
Confucius teachings recognized and codified into China’s political and social system during the Han Dynasty ( CE).
The Five Classics and the Four Books of the Confucian Cannon- texts adopted into official guidelines in China.
22 disciples are named in the Analects, but some claim that he had 72.
Best- known follower was Yen Hui- exemplified completely the virtues of Confucianism.
After the death of Confucius, 2 philosopher-teachers sustained the Confucian legacy- Meng Tzu (Mencius) and Hsun Tzu.
Adriana Rubalcaba

4. Confucius’ collected Works
The Five Classics
The Classic of History
The Classic of Poetry or Book of Odes
The Classic of Rites
The Book of Changes (I Ching)
The Spring and Autumn Annals
The Four Books
The Analects of Confucius
The Doctrine of the Mean
The Great Learning
The Higher Learning
And The Works of Mencius
Adriana Rubalcaba

5. Cultural Practices Three Universal Virtues- Love, Wisdom, and Courage.
These are cultivated through education, self-discipline, and the inculcation of the sense of shame.
Adriana Rubalcaba

6. Confucianism Terms:
Jen–Human heartedness, empathy, or humaneness. How two people should treat one another.
Li – Profit; Doing something for some one and expecting something in return.
Yi – Righteousness; “doing for nothing”; we should simply do what has to be done with no other purpose in mind.
Ming – fate or destiny; it is the way things are in the course of things.
Doctrine of the Mean – the middle way; the center of harmony.
Filial Piety –Be good to one’s parents; take care of one’s parents. David Sor

7. A religion, code of ethics, or philosophy
PAUL MUNOZ

8. What is a religion? What is code of ethics? What is a philosophy?
A cultural system that creates powerful and long lasting meaning, by establishing symbols that relate humanity to truths and values.
What is code of ethics?
A set of guidelines which are designed to set out acceptable behaviors for members of a particular group.
What is a philosophy?
the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language
PAUL MUNOZ

9. Is Confucianism a religion?
Many religions are influenced by Confucianism
PAUL MUNOZ

10. Eros Cindy Lo Greek god of sexual love and beauty
Term used to denote “marital love”
Term “erotic” derived from eros
Commonly referred to as Cupid

11. Agape Cindy Lo
According to Christian theology, agape is “the love of God or Christ for mankind.”
Divine, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, and thoughtful love

12. Is Confucianism agape? Cindy Lo
Core concept of Confucianism is benevolent love (ren)
Duty, action and attitude
Conditional love based on hierarchy
“What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others;”

13. Is Confucianism eros? Cindy Lo
“If your desire is for good, the people will be good. The moral character of the ruler is the wind; the moral character of those beneath him is the grass. When the wind blows, the grass bends.”
Is Confucianism eros? Cindy Lo

14. Does either term fit Confucianism?
Confucianism’s concept of ren is compatible with agape
Eros isn’t compatible with Confucianism as the main emphasis is placed on superior-inferior relationship
Confucianism doesn’t fit either category as its main focus is based on self-cultivation and self-creation
Cindy Lo

15. Christianity and Confucianism
Desiree Navarro

16. Similarities
Both had reactionary movements (reforms): Confucianism had Neo-Confucianism and Christianity had Protestantism.
Canons.
Jesus Christ did not write the Bible, the Christian Canon and neither did Confucius write any of the Confucian Canons.
Golden Rule:
-Christianity: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
-Confucianism: “Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you.”
Desiree Navarro

17. Differences Beliefs Whether a religion or a philosophy, code of ethics
Even though both had reforms, the reforms differed.
Desiree Navarro

18. Differences Christianity:
Centers around the worship of a single, triune God.
The study and guidance of the Bible, the inspired word of God.
Jesus Christ claimed deity and received the attribute form Christians.
Few people could read the Bible because Roman Catholicism only allowed Latin copies of the scriptures.
Confucianism:
Originally based on teachings of a traveling scholar, named Confucius.
Ultimate goal- to live according to té (virtue), li (propriety and ritual), and jén (benevolence, charity, humanity, love, kindness).
Heaven was only “a principle” and it represented the “moral order of the universe.”
Teach people to be self-motivated, self-controlled, and able to take on responsibilities. Aimed at cultivating the individual self and contributing to the attainment of an ideal, harmonious society.
Confucius did not claim to be god.
Almost anyone could read the Confucian canon.
Desiree Navarro

19. Neo-Confucianism and Protestantism
Differences in their origins, where they took place, and when:
Neo-Confucianism originated from Confucianism in China during the Sung Dynasty ( ).
During the Tang dynasty ( ) Buddhism spread overshadowing Confucianism. There was a reaction to the "foreign" religion and a creative renewal of the Confucian tradition. By the Sung Dynasty ( ), Confucian scholars began the Neo-Confucian reform, which attempted to address the pressing socio­economic problems of the day by a creative reinterpretation of ancient ideal Confucian institutions. Most important was the intellectual and spiritual reshaping of the tradition. In a setting long shaped by Buddhist predominance, men again began to take the Confucian classics seriously.
Protestantism originated from a religious group of Christianity, Roman Catholicism in Europe, the only religious group in the 16th century.
In 1517, Martin Luther changed Christianity when he nailed his 95 theses to the door of the cathedral in Germany.
The Protestant Reformation resulted from this due to reformers protesting against corruption and unbiblical practices in Roman Catholic Church.
Luther's Protestant Reformation in Europe resulted from new religions challenging Roman Catholicism. It resulted from the dominance of Roman Catholicism. The Roman Catholic Church controlled, manipulated, much of daily life, and prohibited any other religion or Christian denomination in Europe during and previous to the 16th century Church.
Desiree Navarro

20. Differences
In China, printing worked to spread Buddhism and Taoism, Confucianism's opponents.
The biggest difference:
Confucians never found the true way to God and eternal life. This was because they looked for it in nature and order.
In Europe, printing helped spread the ideas of the reformation.
Protestantism truly found the true way to Heaven through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Desiree Navarro

21. Quiz Time! 1. What are the 3 universal virtues? (Adriana Rubalcaba)
Li is a sense of righteousness. It means to do something without expecting anything in return. True or False? (David Sor)
What is Ren? (Cindy Lo)
Is Confucianism a religion? Yes or No? (Paul Munoz)

22. Quiz time!
5. What was a big similarity between Christianity and Confucianism?(Desiree Navarro)
A Belief in one God
The Golden Rule
Their Origins
All of the above

23. Works Cited
Hagen, Kurtis. "Confucian Key Terms: Ren." Plattsburgh State Faculty and Research Web Sites. 21 Aug Web. 06 Feb <
Lin, Patricia. "Confucianism Historical Background." Cal Poly Pomona. Web. 05 Feb <
Miller, JFK. "Why the Chinese Don't Say "I Love You"" 4 Feb Web. 5 Feb <

24. Works Cited
Nosotro, Rit. "Confucianism and Christianity." HyperHistory.net. Web. 05 Feb <
Tallis, Frank. "Crazy for You." Feb Web. 5 Feb <
"The Main Concepts of Confucianism." Philosophy Home Page. Oriental Philosophy. Web. 05 Feb