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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 69 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. 70 ©SPICE