WORKSHEET #2
Who Was Confucius?
Confucius, or Kung Tzu (Master Kung) is best known as a teacher and a philosopher. The influence of his teachings on China's social and cultural development is enormous. However, to better understand Confucius, we must first look at his own life and the time period in which he lived.
Confucius lived during a period of great turmoil near the end of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. His dates, 551-579, coincide with a period in China's history when many independent feudal states were engaged in conflict and warfare. Nevertheless, Confucius continued to promote his philosophy, in hopes that he could help stop the fighting.
Confucius lived in the state of Lu in China's northeast near the Shantung peninsula. Throughout his life, he attempted to obtain a position as a political advisor. His goal was to become an official of the court, and apply his teachings on morality and ethics to the activities of government. By so doing, Confucius believed that he could help the ruler better govern and create a more prosperous state.
However, Confucius was unable to obtain any high government position. In fact, he was repeatedly turned down as an advisor in one state after another. Eventually, Confticius returned to his native state of Lu where he retired. Despite the setback of never achieving a high position, Confucius continued to teach as a private instructor. He was able to gather a following of students and begin the process of spreading his ideas. Unfortunately for Confucius, he never lived to see the impact of his philosophy. He ultimately died believing that he was a failure.
What is Confucianism?
Confucianism is the active application of Confucius' teachings to everyday life. Although Confucius never wrote any of his teachings down, his students recorded his teachings and their conversations with the Master in a book known as the Lun Yu or Analects. As a result, the teachings of Confucius became widely know, and eventually were adopted as the official system of education during the Han dynasty (206 B.C. - 220 A.D.).
Many of the ideas which Confucius emphasized were directly related to the lives of ordinary people. His ideas on filial piety (respect for elders), government, righteousness, and knowledge, all helped guide people to create a moral and ethical society.
Confucius' teachings placed emphasis on the need for learning and education. Confucius believed people were products of their environments and that through education people could improve themselves. However, Confucius recognized that each person has their own characteristics, and therefore needs to find his or her own way through the learning process. As a result, The,4nalects of Confucius can be used as a guide to conducting proper behavior for individuals, but do not necessarily apply equally to all members of society.
As a philosophy, Confucianism proved to be one of the greatest influences upon the long development of Chinese society and culture.
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