A huge eastern country, where they like to eat insects, make all kinds of household items and learn to draw hieroglyphs calligraphically, has long attracted researchers with its mystery and subtle mentality. China can always surprise: exotic, interesting way of life, incomprehensible to us, Slavs, thinking. One of its highlights is Confucianism, which can be briefly described as educating people for the benefit of society and ourselves.
general information
The word "Confucianism" has a European origin. It was formed from the Latinized form of the title and surname of its founder and means "wise teacher Kun." At the same time, its Chinese counterpart, ju-jiao, translates as "the teaching of enlightened, well-mannered people." Based on this, many ancient scholars have argued that Confucianism is the religion of scientists. But it is not so. It is difficult to call the current under consideration strictly belief; rather, it is a way of life, a way of thinking and perceiving the world around us.
Despite this, Confucianism is always regarded as a religious and philosophical teaching, filled with the traditions of the East. Its influence on Chinese society was so great and deep that, with the help of the principles of this movement, people's values and worldly wisdom were formed. Over the centuries, its value has not diminished at all; it is felt in any area of life. In addition, Confucianism — religion, philosophy, and teaching — has remained the main ideology of the Chinese Empire for nearly two millennia. In fact, its significance was similar to the Catholic Church and the Vatican in Europe in the Middle Ages.
Founder of the teachings of Confucius
He lived in the VI – V century BC. It was a period of civil strife and fragmentation of the country. Therefore, the doctrine reflected the desire to redo the chaotic order of things and bring stability and prosperity to society. The future great philosopher was born into a family of former aristocrats who went bankrupt. He was very orphaned very early and lived rather modestly, until he was lucky to get money to travel to the Zhou state - the royal domain, where he successfully got a job at the book depository. It was here that Confucius met Lao Tzu, with whom he spent a lot of time in conversations and discussions.
Returning to his homeland, he became interested in ancient rituals and music, which, according to Chinese beliefs, reflected universal harmony and recreated it among people. All these principles were later absorbed by the teaching - ancient Confucianism. Soon, the philosopher opened his own school and became the first professional teacher in the history of China. The most interesting thing is that his students certainly became important statesmen. Confucius himself never received a high position, although he strove for this. A scientist died in the hometown of Qufu.
Lun Yu
This book is the basis of all Confucianism. It contains all the statements, thoughts and statements of Confucius. The philosopher’s students bit by bit collected this valuable information, as a result a collection appeared, consisting of short conversations of the philosopher with his followers. They form all the principles and dogmas that Confucianism preaches. Briefly and accurately, the book conveys the whole life path of Confucius:
- 15 years. Thoughts are turned to education.
- 30 years. Gaining independence.
- 40 years. Rid of doubt.
- 50 years. Cognition of the will of Heaven.
- 60 years. The ability to distinguish truth from lies.
- 70 years old. Following the desires of the heart and the ability not to break the Ritual.
In these short lines - the whole of Confucius. His long journey from education to free adherence to the desire of the heart and adherence to standards of behavior has become a landmark, moral and sacred, for the whole of Chinese philosophy. Confucianism (the philosophy of this teaching and moral principles are passed down from generation to generation) is revered by all the inhabitants of China.
At the origins of philosophy
The teachings of Confucius, like other great Chinese religious and philosophical movements, originated in China in the VI – V centuries BC. It was at this time that chaos and devastation came to replace the golden era of the state. The main principle of the empire "who is rich is notable" was violated. People who had nothing to do with the aristocracy possessed wealth due to iron, which they began to actively mine. All this violated harmony and provoked civil strife.
The order was to resume mass movements and teachings that arose like mushrooms after rain. Some lasted only a couple of decades. Others - Confucianism, Taoism, Legism - are so firmly rooted in the culture of China that it is simply impossible to imagine a modern country without them. Thus, the teachings of Confucius from scratch did not arise. During times of devastation and calamity, the great philosopher reflected on principles and methods that could restore order. And the main way to achieve harmony, in his opinion, was the man himself, his upbringing, morality and behavior.
State ethics
Since the doctrine was to first put the country's affairs in order, it also had a political character based on ethical principles. You must first educate a person, and then everything else, including politics, will fall into place. We must show greater interest in the soul of the people, said the philosopher. That is, the solution to important aspects of the rule of the empire is examined by Confucius through the prism of society, where the human factor plays a major role.
Time has shown that it really works. The most difficult thing was the following: to force a person to behave as the principles of ethics and morality suggest. People, even those who want to change for the better, can not immediately turn their inner world upside down. This often fails. Others simply do not want to work on themselves. It took a special approach, and Confucius found him. He took advantage of the worship of the Chinese ancestor cult. The images of those who went to another world were more significant and real than the abstract sky. It is known that the legendary ancestors are a role model in China. Later, Confucius himself became the same symbol of the nation.
Ritual
This is the sacred law that Confucianism adheres to. It can be briefly described as follows: a ritual is not learned rules of human behavior, but meaningful actions, gestures and words. This is an independent phenomenon that people should take with mother’s milk. It is a gift from nature to live right and beautiful. The concept of a ritual is complex, multifaceted. Confucius has repeatedly said that it is not always possible to comply with it. Even righteous ancestors often went astray.
According to Confucius, a person should love his neighbor, feel responsible for fulfilling his duty to society and the country, be sincere and faithful, take care of the younger ones and honor the elders. The philosopher’s teaching was based on these qualities. He transferred the norms of behavior in the family circle to a huge empire. The key to peace and prosperity of the Middle Kingdom is that everyone is in their place and clearly performs the functions assigned to it, said Confucius. He called it "yes harrier" - the principle of relationships between people, the main core of which is humanity. And this is the basic rule of a harmonious society.
Humanity
What did Confucius mean by this concept? In his opinion, in order to become such, a Chinese person must possess five qualities of character: to be able to stand with dignity and not to be misplaced, to conquer the crowd with a wide outlook, inspire trust in others, manage with mercy and be successful due to his own quick wit. But often the great teacher admitted to his students that he could not call himself completely humane. After all, these qualities are only the tip of the iceberg.
The principles of Confucianism have always been broader than it seemed at first glance. The same philanthropy, according to the philosopher, is not only the ability to love and value people. This is not even humanity as a recognition of the invaluable life of an individual. Humanity includes the concepts of responsibility, heritage, worship of traditions and many others.
For example, once Confucius severely condemned a man who, instead of the prescribed three years, had been mourning for his parents for only a year. The philosopher called him immoral and completely devoid of humanity.
Humanity
Another principle underlying Confucianism. This is respect for older people, brotherly love, mutual assistance and patronage of the younger ones. A noble husband is always humane. So says Confucianism. The philosophy of this concept is closely intertwined with humanity. They determine the truth of a person, and not his education or upbringing.
Was the great teacher himself humane? You can answer this question by analyzing the situation in which Confucius once fell. As a connoisseur of the intricacies and characteristics of the ritual, he was invited to the house of an aristocrat. The performance began and music sounded, actors ran out to show a thematic scene. But Confucius suddenly interrupted the performance and ordered the entire troupe executed. Is it cruel? Yes, definitely this behavior does not correspond to humanity and humanity. But here the philosopher demonstrated another important rule of Confucianism as an eastern religion: clearly follow instructions, follow all dogmas and principles, otherwise you will be punished. This is exactly what happened to the actors who moved away from the script.
Nobility and culture
Every self-respecting person should possess these qualities. So Confucius believed. Moreover, the observance of the ritual is an integral part of the life of a cultured and noble Chinese. That is, people must first of all think not about food, but about higher matters. A noble man always reflects on the sublime: on the path, on life and culture. The principles of Confucianism always place emphasis on the spiritual, rather than on carnal saturation.
The other side of culture, according to Confucius, is a sense of proportion. The animal does not control its instincts, and when it sees food, it completely swallows it. The predator will pursue its prey to exhaustion and loss of strength. Man is a creature of the highest rank. He must keep the middle ground in everything, not be like a beast, even if it comes to such an innate instinct as satisfying hunger.
As for the nobility, it is possessed by that Chinese who can completely go through three roads: a hermit, an official, and a military man. Moreover, he must abide by the following rules: in the first case, be philanthropic and not worry, in the second - to know and not doubt, in the third - to remain courageous and not afraid.
Confucius School
Education is an important part of the ritual. This conclusion can be drawn by studying Confucianism. To think briefly and logically, to keep abreast of all events, to know the basic principles of the development of a particular sphere - any Chinese who respects himself must be able to. It is in teaching that man’s perfection manifests itself, said Confucius. He was the first in the Middle Kingdom to open free schools. The philosopher became the teacher of the whole nation.
The school of Confucianism taught its wards to choose the right way of life and not turn off it. The philosopher did not give lectures, but talked with students, believing that the correct thought and statement are born precisely in the dialogue. While talking, people share knowledge, worry about the interlocutor, support him. Confucius also often talked about the life of distant ancestors, comparing it with modernity. Master has always been indulgent. He demanded a lot from those who were truly wise and soulful. He did not expect great achievements from ordinary minds, he simply tried to improve and develop them.
The role of Confucianism
Of course, it is huge. In today's world, Confucius is a symbol of his nation, which gave China spiritual and moral longevity. In history books, he is often portrayed as an old man surrounded by children. Nobody knows what his appearance really was. The description of the appearance of the philosopher is covered in many legends and myths. As for his teaching, over many centuries it has been modified and transformed.
The history of Confucianism is millennial, so the modern version of the teaching is significantly different from the ancient one. Today it is a special lifestyle that Europeans cannot understand. “The East is a delicate matter,” they say, which is absolutely logical and unchanging. Even in the 21st century, Chinese officials are trying to keep the
commandments of this doctrine and behave in the way that Confucius preached. Their actions are dictated by the heritage of the ancient philosophical and religious movement, which makes the Chinese not like other nations, and the Celestial Empire - special, not like most states. The role of Confucianism is great. Its influence is felt in all areas of Chinese life.