Confucian Origins and Teachings

Questions to Consider

• Why is it difficult to define religion?
• Is the category 'religion' sui generis?
• Where did the notion of religion originate?

Part 1: The School of the Refined

The Concept of Naming

• Names impact how we perceive importance.
• The notion of 'religion' is a modern Western creation post-Protestant Reformation.
• Western explorers, colonizers, and missionaries spread the category of religion globally using the suffix "-ism" (e.g., Confucianism).

Confucianism

• Coined by Western missionaries; not self-identified by Confucius' followers.
• Confucius: a Latinized version of Kong-Zi (Master Kong).
• Confucianism was seen as similar to Christianity mistakenly by Christian missionaries.

Ru Jia: The School of the Refined

• Ancient Chinese referred to themselves as 'Ru Jia.'
• Ru Jia emphasizes refinement, education, and sage-like behavior.
• This contrasts with the Western notion of Confucianism as a single-founder religion.

Part 2: Life of Confucius

Historical Context

• Confucius lived between 551-479 BCE during the Zhou dynasty in a time of social and political breakdown (Spring and Autumn Period).
• Confucius was not seen as a religious founder but as a principal figure in a long tradition of sages.

Confucius’ Life

• Born in the state of Lu; father was a minor bureaucrat.
• Became interested in 'Li' (ritual and decorum).
• Traveled for 14 years seeking a ruler to follow his teachings; unsuccessful.
• Settled back in Lu, teaching and editing classics.

Confucius' Teachings

• Emphasized 'Ren' (benevolence), 'Li' (rituals), and 'Wu Wei' (non-doing).
• Believed in restoring the moral order through these principles.
• His teachings focused on self-cultivation and harmony with the cosmos.

Part 3: The Analects

Structure and Themes

• Composed of 20 books with anecdotes of Confucius and his students.
• Major themes include subtlety, non-ostentation, and 'Wu Wei'.
• Emphasizes the natural order and acting without force.

Key Concepts

• Wu Wei: Acting without force; harmony in action.
• Ren: Compassion and humane conduct through understanding others.
• Li: Rituals and customs necessary for societal harmony.
• Tian: (Heaven) as a moral and cosmic order.
• Dao: The right path or order of the universe and society.

Solving the Problems of the Spring and Autumn Period

• Confucius advocated for restoring 'Li' to achieve 'Ren' and find the 'Dao'.
• Change in society begins with self-cultivation.

Conclusion

• Confucius’ teachings provide a guide for personal and social harmony, emphasizing learning, virtue, and proper conduct.

Suggested Readings

1. Edward Slingerland’s translation of the Analects.
2. Xinzhong Yao’s "An Introduction to Confucianism" (2000).
3. Lee Dian Rainey’s "Confucius and Confucianism" (2010).