Confucianism - is Chinese ethical and political doctrine, attributed to Confucius (551-479 BC). In China the tradition has never erected a given ethical and political teaching to the work of a single thinker. Nevertheless, the selection of Confucianism as a separate exercise directly associated with the name of a philosopher who is known outside of China under the name of Confucius.
Main provisions of Confucianism. The main categories are the concepts of Confucian noble man, humanity and the rules of the ritual. Noble man - is an example of moral perfection. It is for these criteria Confucius offered to nominate people to public service. The main task of the noble men - is to bring in themselves and spread throughout mankind. Philanthropy included: parental care of children, filial piety in the family, as well as equitable relationship between those who are not bound by family ties. Carried over into politics, these principles should serve as the foundation of the whole management system, according to Confucius (2006).
Education subjects - is the most important state affair, and it implements the necessary force of personal example. "Manage - it means doing the right thing." In turn, the people must show filial piety to the rulers, they unquestioningly obey. The prototype of the organization of state power to Confucius served as control in the family clan and tribal communities. Confucius was a determined opponent of administration according to law. He condemned the rulers who made a bet on the daunting legal prohibitions, and advocated the preservation of traditional religious and moral methods of influencing the behavior of the Chinese. "If you lead people through laws and maintaining order by punishment, people will seek to avoid [of punishment], and will not feel any shame. If the people lead by virtue, and to maintain order by means of ritual, people will know the shame, and it is correct ", according to Asian Pacific American Heritage (2009).
On the transition from the teachings of the religion. Confucian doctrine of the original, placing his main principle is inherent in every human desire to live and prosper, only dealt with ethics and policies, and absolutely nothing to do with metaphysical questions, and anything else that can not be explained by human reason, but only absorbed by faith. Belief in the afterlife and the existence of spirits is not permitted because both to be contested, but only because this faith is to some extent contribute to the welfare of human life. Consistent with these have been strengthened and the requirement to filial piety and ancestor worship, according to From Communism to Confucianism: Changing Discourses on China's Political Future (2010).
To meet the religious needs of the people of Confucianism was limited to one side of a strictly defined ritual of ancestor worship (the only one, according to some Sinologists, the cult of the primitive Chinese) and the ensuing ceremonies, a on the other hand - the recognition of the cult of the persons awarded the state honor or using a purely national reverence. The main subject of celebration should serve as ancestors to the 4-th tribe inclusive. The most important rituals after death: a small, then a large dressing the corpse, Entombment, feeding the dead (in fact - plain dolls, which are supposed to moved the soul of the deceased), and finally, the funeral (not later than 100 days after his death, and the soul of the deceased, on representation of the Chinese, moved to the table with his name). Mourning (always white, and business cards are not written on red paper, as always, but in yellow) is divided into several stages, according to the length of time and quality of wearable clothes at this time. The most complete mourning is worn by his parents, wife to husband, etc. During the mourning should not eat meat and vegetables, drink wine, listen to music and generally have fun.
"The ritual donning caps" is committed by any of the relatives (but not the father) in the presence of all the relatives, with sacrifices to ancestors, over the boys 15-20 years, while the latter gets a new name and, as already became an adult, is to all senior relatives and friends. Public celebration is njoyed by all the sovereigns of all dynasties, as well as the reigning sovereign, then all persons who have brought benefits to the whole state (the inventors of agriculture, sericulture, etc., the great scientists - Confucius and 86 of his students and followers) or part . Honor can be won every one of whose activities benefit the local authorities and the public may testify before the emperor. People's celebration to be not distressed; in each locality many of his local - revered (even one family) spirit. In a given day to the tomb or a temple in honor "bestowed spirit," the senior official (at the public celebration), or a family member commits a certain amount of kneeling, kindles before the table smoking a candle, sometimes puts the victim of edible things, and his assistant read through written on a separate sheet of special prayer, which is then immediately and burned in a lantern-post, located in the courtyard directly in front of the statue or picture of the spirit. It is understandable, therefore, that Chinese indifference towards religion, the Chinese Buddhist or Mohammedan quietly puts up with the Confucian rites of obtaining the obligatory force due to age-old traditions and the sanction of the government.
History. After the death of Confucius and his students and followers, there was formed a set of directions, trying to develop or maintain a canonical form of precepts of his teacher. But the main spiritual heirs Kun-Tzu are two thinkers - Mencius and Xun Zi, author of two treatises, called their names. During the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, Confucianism was at the brink of extinction: a significant part of Confucian scholars were excluded from the political and intellectual activities, 460 opposition members were buried alive, and the Confucian books were destroyed. Those that have survived have been restored by oral transmission in II century BC.
Through the activities of Tung Chung-shu in the reign of Emperor Wu, Confucianism took the status of the dominant ideology of the Han empire.
Confucianism has taken quite an isolated and peaceful position with respect to its own, so to speak, external enemies - Buddhism and Taoism, provide recent fight between himself and peacefully getting on with them, continued to go on the same road, which sent its first workers, are increasingly capturing their hands on the whole system of Chinese life, according to Confucianism: a world religion founded by K'ung Fu Tzu (2009).
Confucianism in late imperial period. Only at the end of the XI century begins a new era for Confucianism: the Confucian basis resulted in a new, natural-dualistic philosophy. The first impetus was given to works of this philosopher Chou Duni (1017-1073), whose successors were Chang Tsai (1020-1067) and two brothers Cheng Hao and Cheng I. The most famous member of this new trend of Confucian philosophy is a philosopher Zhu Xi (1130 -1200), whose views, in particular the interpretation of the classic books are obligatory force in China. His most famous work: Jia-li - Home Ceremony ", which contains a description of rites perpetrated upon reaching adulthood, weddings, funerals and sacrifices in honor of their ancestors. Works for all members of the new Confucian philosophy collected and published together, according to Confucianism (2009). A special term for it - blue-li - "new laws", "new philosophy" was first consumed Chen-chunem, a disciple of Zhu Xi. How great is the Confucian literature, can be seen from the fact that one of the collected works of writers on this part only if the current dynasty (published in 1829) amounted to 50 large volumes. Confucianism is identified with feudalism, and as such subjected to withering criticism. Important role in the criticism of Confucianism played by the representatives of Chinese anarchism.
Confucianism became the official ideology of the ancient Chinese society, and it significantly influenced the worldview and social structure of East Asia up to XI century.
