Confucianism
is an ancient philosophy that originated in approximately the 5th
Century B.C. and is still present in China today, after dominating
Chinese society for over 2,400 years. The founder, a man named Confucius,
developed this set of ideas as a code of behavior to live by.
Born during the wars and chaos of 551 BC, Confucius grew up to
be a teacher at merely 22 years old. He traveled the country and
taught the sons of noble families, telling students that people
are born good and have duty toward each other. Such duties include
the following: kindness, obedience, respect, courage, loyalty, sincerity,
courtesy, etc. Everyone is believed to have his or her place in
society, and all should be content in that place. People should
try to live in peace and harmony with the world around them. Confucius
often taught outdoors with students around him.
He aimed to change society by persuading rulers to lead virtuous
lives, so that their subjects will follow in example. Court to court,
Confucius went, and he could not find a prince to take his teachings
into practice. He wished for an advisor's spot at nobleman's court,
so that he may try out ideas, but despite his quantity of followers,
he never received an appointment.
In Confucianism, there exist five basic relationships for people
to understand: husband and wife, father and son, older brother and
younger brother, friend and friend, ruler and ruled. The principle
"Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you"
is often followed throughout the lives of common people. The ruler
of the country is the Son of Heaven and father of the kingdom. Government
positions, however, were to be earned by education and talent, not
birth.
Confucius's followers and best students helped spread his ideas
after his death, eventually reaching the entire nation. Confucianism
is still studied and taken into practice in modern China, and its
founder is still regarded with the utmost respect and admiration.
