Confucian Teachings
Transcript: "The Gentleman has 9 concerns: Clarity, Acuity, Warmth, respectful, sincerity, reverence, when he is in doubt he wants to ask questions, angry when wary of pitfalls, integrity" Human Nature Also a name of a disciple of Confucius that also has a book associated with him but did not necessarily write. What the Government should be: Benevolent, Right, someone not fond of killing people, and since he shared it with the people isn't it fitting that they considered it small. The are different kinds of ministers, there are noble ministers related to the ruler, and ministers of other surnames. "There is an instituted ritual and moral principles to such shares thus satisfying peoples desires and supplying their wants. They saw to is that desires and the supply of goods were kept in balance and this is how ritual began." "Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing. they fulfill loyalty, faith, love, and respect." Book of Documents Confucius lived in 551-479 BCE during the time of the Spring and Autumn of Eastern Zhou dynasty. He was a minister before he began traveling from state to state at a time when China was a great political conflict and confusion. He taught he disciples rituals and the Book of Songs and Book of Documents. A discussion of Heaven Questions? Book of Songs A discussion of Ritual "the gentleman has three transformations. seen from afar he is majestic. upon approaching him you see he is amiable. upon hearing his words you find that he is serious" "practice five things: reverence, generosity, truthfulness, diligence, and kindness" The Gentleman A collection of sayings contributed to Confucius. It was not written down by Confucius himself, but instead written by his followers/disciples . Analects Collection of folk songs, religious hymns, songs of heroes that was edited by Confucius. What do you think should be required for humanity based on the readings? Human Nature is Bad recorded the instructions of the king The five classics: 1) Book of Changes - about divination 2) Book of Rites - social institution, rites institution. 3) Spring and Autumn - historical record of the state of Lu. 4)Books of Songs 5) Book of Documents These were revised by Confucius and not written by him. Historical Background Confucian Teachings By: Caitlyn McGrew, Kathryn McCann, Boya Peng, Yuhao Hu Confucian Canon "Human nature is bad. Good is a human product." Human nature is bad because of Love of Profit, Fear and Hatred, Sensory desires for pleasing sounds and sights. "Since the nature of people is bad, to become corrupted they must be taught by teachers and to be orderly they must acquire ritual and moral principles." "If you do not know the man, observe his friends, if you do not know the Lord, look at his attendance. Influence affects everyone." Government "There are three things he reveres: the gentleman reveres the mandate of heaven, he reveres great people and he reveres the words of the sages." "In his person conduct, he was respectful; in serving his superiors he was reverent; in nourishing to people he was kind; in governing the people, he was righteous." He was a disciple of Confucius and there is a book named after him but he did not necessarily write it. Mencius On Governing "Constant principles underlie Heaven's behavior." "Thus those who can distinguish what is realm of heaven and what is the realm of man are men of the highest order." "When your father is alive observe his intentions. when he is deceased model yourself on the memory of his behavior. If in 3 years after his death you have not deviated from your father's ways then you may be considered a filial child." "Lead them by the means of virtue and regulate them through rituals and they will have a sense of shame and moreover have standards." Xunzi Filial Piety Humanity "let me give an example of what i mean when i say everyone has a heart that is sensitive to the sufferings of others. anyone today who suddenly saw a baby about to fall into a well would feel alarmed and concerned." "Goodness is to human nature like flowing downward is to water." "Although people can be made to be bad under specific circumstances, their natures are not changed."