Confucianism and the Five Relationships

E. Napp

Objective: To identify and explain significant beliefs of Confucianism

Do Now: Multiple-choice questions from previous lessons

  1. Buddhism is based on the idea that
(1)Attachment is the answer.
(2)Wealth is a sign of God’s approval.
(3)We are kept chained to the world by desire.
(4)All of the above.
2. A similarity between Shinto in Japan and animism in African societies is that both
(1) use the Torah to establish law codes
(2) stress the importance of the Eightfold Path
(3) believe that spirits exist in nature
(4) base social rank on a caste system
  1. Hinduism and Buddhism share a belief in
(1)The Caste System
(2)Monotheism
(3)Reincarnation
(4)The Trinity / 4. The introduction of Buddhism into Japan and of Christianity into Africa are examples of
(1) modernization
(2) ethnic conflict
(3) cultural diffusion
(4) isolation
5. • Buddhist temples are found in Japan.
• Most Indonesians study the Koran.
• Catholicism is the dominant religion in Latin America.
These statements illustrate a result of
(1) westernization
(2) cultural diffusion
(3) economic nationalism
(4) fundamentalism
6. The Buddhist religion teaches that salvation is earned by
(1) following the Ten Commandments
(2) worshiping Allah as the one true god
(3) learning to give up selfish desire
(4) being baptized and confirmed

Cornell Notes Outline: Confucianism and the Five Relationships(Add Key Words and Summaries)

The Key Words: / The Notes:
I. Confucius
  1. Born around 550 B.C.E. in China
  2. Lived during a time of chaos and disorder
  3. Age of Warring States
  4. Fighting and political turmoil in China
  5. Wanted to restore peace to China
  6. Wanted to restore order
  7. Sought a government position
  8. Denied
  9. Became a teacher
  10. Students would seek government careers
  11. Could change culture through teaching future leaders and political administrators
  1. Beliefs
  2. Five Relationships
1-Emperor and subject
2-Father and son
3-Husband and wife
4-Elder brother and younger brother
5-Friend and friend
a)The superior must set a good example and provide for and protect the inferior
b)The inferior must obey
c)Filial piety
1)sons must respect and obey parents
  1. The importance of the family, the ancestors, and maintaining social order
  2. Low status of women
1- always inferior
  1. Writings
1-The Analects
a) the sayings of Confucius
The Summaries:

Please read the passage below and answer the questions:

A Chinese philosopher named K'ung Fu-tzu or Confucius, the Westernized version, believed that a society could become perfect, if the people who lived in it exhibited "beautiful conduct." Confucius was born in 551 B.C.E.

Confucius lived during a time of war and disorder. He believed that his ideas would restore and maintain social order. Confucius strongly believed in the importance of inferiors listening to and obeying superiors. He also maintained that there were five critical relationships in Chinese society. The Five Relationships were emperor and subject, father and son, husband and wife, elder brother and younger brother, and friend and friend. In the first four relationships, there was a superior and an inferior. The superior was responsible for setting a good example for the inferior and protecting the inferior. The inferior had to obey the superior. If people did what they were supposed to do, social order would be restored. Confucius urged people to follow the traditional ways.

Those who practice Confucianism also believe that the family and family values are very important. Children are taught to be very respectful of their parents and are taught to obey their parents. This belief is called filial piety or a love and respect for one’s parents and ancestors. Although Confucius did not write any books, his followers collected his sayings and later published them in the Analects. Confucius also accepted the Mandate of Heaven. He believed that if the ruler benefited and protected his subjects, the people would obey the emperor and the emperor would continue to hold the Mandate of Heaven or right to rule.

Questions:

1-Who was Confucius and when did he live? ______

2-What are the Five Relationships? ______

3-What responsibilities do superiors and inferiors have? ______

4-How is order maintained according to Confucius? ______

5-What is filial piety and why is it important in Confucianism? ______

6-Why did Confucius accept the Mandate of Heaven? ______

7-What are the Analects?

______

1. According the teachings of Confucius, the key to the successful organization of society is that
(1) the ruler should be chosen democratically
(2) the evil in humans must be eliminated
(3) ancestor worship should be discontinued
(4) individuals should know and do what is expected of them / 2.The teachings of Confucius encouraged people to
(1) put their own interests first
(2) reject government authority
(3) believe in reincarnation
(4) follow a code of moral conduct

The Master said, "A youth, when at home, should behave well toward his parents, and when abroad, respectfully to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after doing those things, he should study the polite arts."

The Master said, "With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow, I still have joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a floating cloud."

Zhonggong asked about perfect virtue. The Master said, "When abroad, behave to everyone as if you were receiving an important guest; treat people as if you were assisting at a great sacrifice; do not do to others as you would not wish done to yourself. Thereby you will let no murmuring rise against you in the country, and none in the family. . . ."