Download LEGACIES OF THE EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY (CONFUCIANISM

LEGACIES OF THE EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY (CONFUCIANISM)
corrupt-immoral
dishonest
and
The Eastern Zhou Dynasty is often nicknamed the Hundred Schools of
Thought Period because so many new ideas were born during that era.
Some of these new ideas became China's most important, influential, and
enduring philosophies, ideas, and religions. The dynasty was falling apart;
states were constantly at war with one another; rulers were increasingly
corrupt; and society was at times very chaotic. People began to question the
purpose of life, debate the role of the government, and discuss ways to
improve society. Rulers at that time were very open to new ideas because
they were always seeking ways to gain advantage over their enemies.
Confucius was a Chinese teacher and philosopher who lived from 551-479
BeE, during the Spring and Autumn Period of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.
He was born in the state of Lu, located in eastern China. Confucius had
humble beginnings. His family ancestors were members of the nobility, but
over the years, his family had become quite poor, and Confucius grew up in
poverty. His father died when Confucius was only three years old; hence,
Confucius was raised by his mother.
Confucius was given a good education and proved to be a fast and eager
learner. He held a few political offices during his lifetime and was successful
in those positions, but he grew frustrated when he realized that his superiors
were not interested in his ideas or policies. He left political office and traveled
to other states, hoping to find a ruler who would listen to his advice. Instead,
he found much that disappointed him. He encountered rulers who, in his
view, were greedy, insincere, irresponsible, and selfish. 17 He returned home
and committed himself to spreading his ideas through education.
The Importance of Education
/
commoner-a member of
the general population
exclusive--catering to a
wealthy clientele
junzi - a virtuous
gentleman; the ultimate
goal of Confucianism
virtue-moral excellence
and righteousness;
goodness
CHINESE
Confucius believed that human nature was innately good, but that the goodness needed to be nurtured through education. Before Confucius' time, only
the children of nobility were entitled to schooling; the children of commoners
had no right to education.P'This changed toward the end of the Spring and
Autumn Period, when Zhou kings had little power and the privileges associated with nobility were no longer so exclusive." Confucius was one of the
first teachers to start private education and to offer education to the poor.?
Important Confucian Ideas
Confucius believed that a person's ultimate purpose in life was to become a
junzi, or a gentleman. A gentleman was a person who possessed the most
valued virtues of Confucianism: benevolence, righteousness, propriety,
wisdom, and trustworthiness. Confucius believed that if all people
possessed these virtues, society would be harmonious; therefore, a great
deal of his teaching focused on this type of moral self-improvement.
DYNASTIES
PART ONE
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Confucius believed in set hierarchies and a society in which each person has
an assigned role with designated rules of behavior. In Confucian terms,
these rules of behavior are referred to as rituals or propriety. There were
rules of behavior for all aspects of life, from government visits to what type
of clothing to wear. All of the rules were designed strictly according to one's
position and rank in society. Confucius celebrated ancient rituals and propriety because he believed they were what made previous dynasties great.
filial piety-the respect
children have for their
parents; stems from the
ancient practice of ancestor
worship
subject--one who is under
the rule of another or
others, especially one who
owes allegiance to a
government or ruler
According to the Confucian hierarchy there are five important relationships
that define the types of interaction among people: parent and child; ruler
and ruled; husband and wife; older sibling and younger sibling; and friend
to friend. In all of these relationships, benevolence, propriety, duty, and
responsibility are expected from the superior to the inferior. In return,
respect and obedience are expected from the inferior. In a family, the parent
is responsible for a child's education and moral upbringing while the child
obeys and respects his parents according to rules of filial piety. Likewise, in
a goverrunent, rulers should govern with virtue and subjects should obey
their ruler.
Confucian Texts
Confucius revived and edited five classical texts that he used with his
students as textbooks. The five texts are the Book oj Poetry, Book oj History,
Book of Rites, Book oj Changes, and the Book oj Music. In addition, he wrote the
Spring and Autumn Annals, which he also used with his students. These six
texts were originally known as the Six Classics, but today are called the Five
Classics, because the Book oj Music was eventually lost during the Qin
Dynasty, possibly during its massive anti-Confucian book burning
campaign."
Confucius'Legacy
In his role as a government official, Confucius did not make a great impact.
As a-self-made political advisor, he also did not make a great impact
because rulers during his lifetime did not accept or use his ideas. But as a
teacher, Confucius made an extraordinary impact. His teachings shaped
Chinese culture, politics, and ethics for thousands of years and continue to
have a great impact not just in China but throughout Asia.
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