Events in our world's history, large and small, have had major impacts in the development of many inventions, ideas, philosophies and organized religions. The development of the Chinese philosophy of Confucianism and the ancient religion of Judaism were directly influenced by historical events. Confucianism is a philosophy based on the ideas of Kung Fu Tzu, also known as Confucius, and spread during the Warring States Periods. Judaism is a monotheistic religion founded by Abraham around 3500 years ago. Specific historical events played very important roles in the development of both of these faiths. For Confucianism, the Warring States Period led to the advancement of the philosophy while the Abrahamic Covenant, as well as the parting of the …show more content…
The philosophy Confucianism had many teachings which included the idea of “Ren” and “Li”, as well as Filial Piety, which were all in response to the unrest that was happening at that time. These teachings related to how people should live their lives to reach harmony which was hard to achieve during the warring period. Filial Piety is the idea for the respect for one's parents and the idea of being a good child. Confucius said, “Behave in such a way that your father and mother have no anxiety about you except concerning your health”. The teaching of “Ren” and “Li” mainly focused on correct feelings and actions towards others. The teaching of correct feelings--Ren, and correct actions--Li supported Confucius goal that one should live their lives at peace with others. During the Warring States Period there was a lot of violence between the eight states and this directly affected Confucius’ teachings for how to reach peace and prosperity. Confucius tried reaching out to different princes and small kingdoms during this time for them to listen to his advice during the constant wars between the states. Few listened to him or studied his teachings until after he …show more content…
The Exodus was when the enslaved Hebrews fled the enslavement of the Pharaoh with Moses as their leader. The Hebrews were then cornered by the Pharaoh's army with the Red Sea behind them and the Hebrews started thinking that God was not on their side and would not help them. God then claimed to always protect the Hebrews and fulfilled his promise by parting the Red Sea for the Hebrews to pass escaping the Pharaoh and the Egyptian Army. Once the Hebrews had passed the Sea, YHWH closed the path on the Egyptian soldiers allowing the Hebrews to escape. This specific historical event drastically contributed to the development and spread in the Judaism faith. This made the Hebrews faithful to YHWH and gained many supports for the
Buddhism and Confucianism, both religions adopted from Chinese culture, would eventually become staples of Japanese civilization. “The period of disunion in China [during the T’ang
The Han Dynasty differed from the Qin because they choose to follow the philosophy of Confucius. Confucianism was also founded during The Era of Warring States by Confucius. Confucius wanted to share teachings of peace and harmony to encourage people to end the conflict between one another. Confucius’ followers recorded his teachings and published them in a book called The Analects. Confucian scholars preach acceptance, following moral values, and respect for elders.
He later created principles that followed traditional Chinese culture. This meant one would depend on one’s family. He attempted to spread his new principles by creating a school for young men. Confucius taught the men how be honest leaders. Confucius died in 479 BCE with very little progress made spreading his principles.
According to Reid, a few of the major “Confucianism” ethos and practices involve ‘Ren’, ‘yi’ and ‘li’ which represents the concept of ‘altruism’ along with clear depiction of the humanness for other individuals (Reid 29-66).
Confucius is one of the first Chinese thinkers who addressed the conflict of political and social order. he was a strong willed man who often did not get along with others. He never realized his ambition to become a powerful minister. Confucius attracted numerous disciples who aspired to political careers. His thought was fundamentally moral, ethical, and political in character. He had his disciples study works of poetry and history made during the Zhou dynasty. He examined the book of Songs, book of History, the Book of Rites, and other works with his students. Literary works of the Zhou dynasty became the core texts of the traditional Chinese education because of Confucius’s influence. There were specific Confucian values indluding ren, li, and xiao. Individuals with ren were courteous, respectful, loyal, and diligent. He said ren is much needed for government
Confucius taught us to love others from the within the family to everyone else in the society. A man’s
Confucius was a man who wanted world peace, to end all conflict. He lived from 551 B.C. to 479 B.C. and was born and died in Qufu, China. Also, he taught and created Confucianism. Confucianism is mainly based on respect. Using Confucianism, Confucius was able to help make an idea for an excellent government. Even so, Confucius thought he did not do well to make an impact on people and believed he was a failure. But, his followers were able to live in peace. According to the biography.com, “His social philosophy was based primarily on the principle of "ren" or "loving others" while exercising self-discipline. He believed that ren could be put into action using the Golden Rule, ‘What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.’ (Lunyu
In Confucius’ life, he saw the warring states during his travels and believed that suffering was the result of not following the laws that heaven had set in place for humanity. His teaching emphasize cooperation, not competition. (textbook, pg. 140)
One of the most important aspects of Confucianism is the human relationship. Every member of the family has a role, or roles, that they must follow
Confucius taught a concept called jen, or humaneness that included humanity, benevolence, goodness and virtue as a way of life. His message was that mankind must reach a state of personal virtue to achieve orderliness and peace.
Ren (Goodness) is essential to the Confucian belief system. Confucius taught that the pursuit of Ren will lead to spiritual correctness and moral superiority. It was so foundational that it was characteristically tied to the Mandate of Heaven. When a dynasty fell, it was assumed that they had fallen out of favor with the gods, an impossibility if said dynasty had committed itself to Ren. This practice starts at the human to human practice of empathy, according to Dr. Can’s lecture. For Confucius, the beginning of Ren is being able to understand another person and your relationship to that person. This echoes through the Five Right Relationships.
This rule included the relationship between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, friend and friend, and elder and younger. It stated that each individual has a responsibility to others, so one should become others’ example by acting their best with virtue. In Confucianism, unlike Taoism, virtue is not inherent, and it is accumulate during the lifelong learning. On the other hand, Confucians are taught by ‘Four books’ and ‘Five Classics that included history, poetry, rites and many different subjects.
It is said that ‘individuals could begin to cultivate an all-encompassing sense of virtue through Ren’, and devotion to one's parents and older siblings is of significance for cultivating Ren (Waley, 2005, pp.39). In order for survive needs, he ask his believers to actively participate in national affairs, getting the ruler’s appointment. In the Analects, Li manages a sort of relationship with family and close community, while Ren is practiced broadly and informs interactions with everyone (Knechtges, David, 2010, pp.652). The family, friends, culture, virtue, as well as the good of the people is the main object of good government (Confucius. & Waley, 2000). Consider as a whole, he confined his attention to outward phenomena, to the world of sense and matter; to ‘forms, precedents, ceremonies, proprieties, rules of conduct, filial duties, and duties to the State; enjoining temperance, honesty, and sincerity as the cardinal and fundamental laws of private and national prosperity’ (Kern, 2010,
With thinking of others in Ren, Li goes about you doing what is appropriate within the situations you encounter. With following the this you are to be of proper manner at all times. The rites include one being trustworthy, respectful, observant, humble, has intentionally good deeds, promotes an act of kindness and most importantly is harmonious. When one is of the rites, it is proven through his actions as he is reliable in a sense that he can be trusted to those around him and a takeaway can be given to those who listen. Confucius states that, “A man manages not to lose the goodwill of his own kinsmen, he is worthy of being looked up to as the head of the clan.”(Analects,61). Saying this, a person of Li is very worthy to the point where others can look up to and count on him, knowing no harm will be given in return. The rites are not only good for the person who is practicing them, it is mentioned that, “He goes to men possessed of the Way to be put right. Such that a man can be described as eager to learn.” (Analects, 61). With following this, the people surrounded by it can pick up on these good habits and spread the excellence among
In thinking about the Confucian Analects, one can come to a great many conclusions or interpretations regarding the meaning of each passage within his “Confucian Classics”. Given the historical context and background in which Confucian ideals were created during, there is one particular set of notions in which the authors hoped that a society would derive from this literary masterpiece. Within this essay, my attempt is to provide a detailed evaluation of one of the passages of the Analects, from within the framework of a Confucian society. In doing so, one must associate three key terms with Confucian ideology: that of “Ren”, which speaks to the goodness of an individual as well as at the societal level; ”Li” which is represented by