Confucianism - briefly about the philosophical doctrine. Confucianism and religion

A huge eastern country where they like to eat insects, make all kinds of household items and learn to calligraphically draw hieroglyphs from the diapers, has long fascinated researchers with its mystery and subtle mentality. China can always surprise: exotic, interesting way of life, incomprehensible for us, the Slavs, thinking. One of its highlights is Confucianism, which can be briefly described as the education of people for the benefit of society and themselves.

general information

The word "Confucianism" is of European origin. It was formed from the Latinized form of the title and the surname of its founder and means "wise teacher Kuhn". At the same time, his Chinese counterpart "Zhu-jiao" translates as "the teaching of enlightened, well-bred people." Proceeding from this, many ancient scholars argued that Confucianism is the religion of scientists. But it is not so. It is difficult to call the current flow strictly a belief, rather, it is a way of life, a way of thinking and perception of the world around us.

Despite this, Confucianism is always regarded as a religious and philosophical teaching filled with the traditions of the East. His influence on Chinese society was so great and profound that the values of people, everyday wisdom, were formed with the help of the principles of this current. For centuries, its significance has not diminished, it is felt in every sphere of life. In addition, Confucianism - religion, philosophy and teaching - for nearly two millennia remained the main ideology of the Chinese empire. In fact, its significance was similar to the Catholic Church and the Vatican in Europe in the Middle Ages.

The founder of the teachings of Confucius

He lived in the VI-V century BC. This was a period of civil strife and fragmentation of the country. Therefore, the teaching reflected the desire to remake the chaotic order of things and bring stability and prosperity to society. The future great philosopher was born into a family of former aristocrats who went bankrupt. He very early orphaned and lived quite modestly, until he was lucky to get money for a trip to the state of Zhou - the regal domain, where he safely got a job in the book depository. It was here that Confucius met Lao Tzu, with whom he spent a lot of time in conversations and discussions.

Returning to his homeland, he was carried away by ancient rituals and music, which, according to Chinese beliefs, reflected the universal harmony and recreated it among people. All these principles later absorbed the doctrine - the ancient Confucianism. Soon the philosopher opened his own school and became the first professional pedagogue in the history of China. The most interesting thing is that his students invariably became important statesmen. Confucius himself never received a high post, although he strove for it. The scientist died in his native city of Qufu.

"Lun Yu"

This book is the basis of all Confucianism. It contains all the statements, thoughts and affirmations of Confucius. The disciples of the philosopher collected these valuable information in small pieces, and as a result a collection of short conversations of the philosopher with his followers appeared. They form all the principles and dogmas that preach Confucianism. Briefly and accurately, the book conveys the whole life path of Confucius:

• 15 years. Thoughts are directed towards education.
• 30 years. Finding independence.
• 40 years. Getting rid of doubts.
• 50 years. Cognition of the Will of Heaven.
• 60 years. Ability to distinguish truth from lies.
• 70 years. Following the desires of the heart and the ability not to violate the Ritual.

In these short lines is the whole of Confucius. His long journey from education to free pursuit by the desire of the heart and the observance of the norms of behavior has become a landmark, moral and sacred, for the whole of Chinese philosophy. Confucianism (the philosophy of this doctrine and moral principles passed down from generation to generation) is revered by all Chinese people.

At the origins of philosophy

The teachings of Confucius, like other great Chinese religious and philosophical currents, originated in China in the VI-V centuries BC. It was at this time that the golden era of the state was replaced by chaos and devastation. The main principle of the empire "who is rich, that noble" was violated. People who had no relation to the aristocracy had wealth at the expense of iron, which they began to actively extract. All this broke the harmony and provoked civil strife.

To restore order should have been mass currents and exercises that arose like mushrooms after the rain. Some existed only a couple of decades. Others - Confucianism, Taoism, and Legism - have become so firmly entangled in the culture of China that it is simply impossible to imagine today's country without them. Thus, the teaching of Confucius from scratch did not arise. During ruin and disaster, the great philosopher speculated on principles and methods that could bring order. And the main way to achieve harmony, in his opinion, was the person himself, his upbringing, morality and behavior.

State Ethics

Since the teaching was primarily to bring the country's affairs in order, it had a political character based on ethical principles. It is necessary first to raise a person, and then everything else, including politics, will get to the point. It is necessary to show greater interest in the soul of the people, the philosopher said. That is the solution of important aspects of the empire's rule the teaching of Confucius views through the prism of society, where the human factor plays a major role.

Time has shown that this really works. The most difficult thing was this: to make a person behave as ethical and moral principles suggest. People, even those who want to change for the better, can not immediately turn their inner world upside down. Often this does not work out. Others simply do not want to work on themselves. It took a special approach, and Confucius found it. He took advantage of the Chinese worship of the cult of ancestors. The images of those who left the world were more significant and real than the abstract sky. It is known that the legendary ancestors - an image to follow in China. The same symbol of the nation was later himself Confucius.

Ritual

This is a sacred law, which is held by Confucianism. Briefly describe its meaning can be as follows: ritual - this is not learned rules of human behavior, and meaningful actions, gestures and words. This is an independent phenomenon, which people must adopt with the mother's milk. It is a gift given by nature to live properly and beautifully. The concept of the ritual is complex, multifaceted. Confucius said more than once that it is not always possible to observe it. Even righteous ancestors often lost their way.

According to Confucius, a person should love his neighbor, feel responsible for fulfilling his duty to society and the country, be sincere and faithful, take care of the younger and honor the elders. On these qualities, the philosophy of the philosopher was based. Norms of behavior in the family circle, he transferred to a huge empire. The key to the peace and prosperity of the Celestial Empire is that everyone is in his place and clearly performs the functions assigned to him, said Confucius. He called it "yes lun" - the principle of relationships between people, the main core of which is philanthropy. And this is the basic rule of a harmonious society.

Philanthropy

What did Confucius mean by this term? In his opinion, in order to become such a person, a Chinese must have five qualities of character: to be able to hold himself dignified and not get trapped, to broaden his horizons to win the crowd, to inspire others with confidence, to manage with mercy and to be successful at the expense of his own ingenuity. But often a great teacher admitted to his disciples that he can not call himself completely humane. After all, these qualities are just the tip of the iceberg.

The principles of Confucianism have always been broader than it seemed at first glance. The same philanthropy, according to the philosopher, is not only the ability to love and appreciate people. This is not even humanity as a recognition of the invaluable life of an individual. Philanthropy includes the concepts of responsibility, heritage, worship of traditions and many others.

For example, once Confucius strongly condemned a man who, instead of the prescribed three years, mourned for his parents for only a year. The philosopher called him immoral and completely devoid of philanthropy.

Humanity

Another principle underlying Confucianism. This is respect for the elder people, brotherly love, mutual assistance and patronage over the younger. A noble husband is always humane. So says Confucianism. The philosophy of this concept is closely intertwined with philanthropy. They determine the truth of a person, and not his education or upbringing.

Was the great teacher himself humane? You can answer this question by analyzing the situation that Confucius once got into. As a connoisseur of the subtleties and peculiarities of the ritual, he was invited into the house of an aristocrat. The performance began and music began to sound, the actors ran out, who were supposed to show the thematic scene. But Confucius suddenly interrupted the performance and ordered the entire company to be executed. Is it cruel? Yes, definitely this behavior does not correspond to humanity and philanthropy. But then the philosopher demonstrated another important rule of Confucianism as an Eastern religion: clearly follow the instructions, observe all dogmas and principles, otherwise you will be punished. This is what happened to the actors who left the script.

Nobility and Culture

Every self-respecting person must possess these qualities. Confucius thought so. At the same time observance of the ritual is an integral part of the life of a cultured and noble Chinese. That is, people must first of all think not about food, but about higher matters. Noble man always thinks about the sublime: about the way, about life and culture. The principles of Confucianism always emphasize the spiritual, not the carnal saturation.

Another aspect of culture, according to Confucius, is a sense of proportion. The animal does not control its instincts, and when it sees food, it swallows it completely. The predator will pursue his prey to the point of exhaustion and decay. Man is a creature of the highest rank. He must observe the golden mean in everything, not be like the beast, even if it is a question of his innate instinct, such as satisfying hunger.

As for nobility, it is possessed by that Chinese who can go through three roads to the end: a hermit, an official and a military one. At the same time, he must observe the following rules: in the first case be philanthropic and do not worry, in the second - to know and not to doubt, in the third - to remain bold and not to be afraid.

Confucius School

Education is an important part of the ritual. Such a conclusion can be made by studying Confucianism. It is brief and logical to think, to be aware of all events, to know the basic principles of the development of this or that sphere - all this must be able to any self-respecting Chinese. It is in the teaching that man's perfection manifests itself, Confucius said. He was the first in the Middle Kingdom, who opened free schools. The philosopher became the teacher of the whole people.

The school of Confucianism taught its wards to choose the right way of life and not turn from it. The philosopher did not lecture, but talked with the students, believing that the right thought and statement are born precisely in the dialogue. Talking, people share knowledge, worry about the interlocutor, support it. Also Confucius often told about the life of distant ancestors, comparing it with modernity. The teacher has always been lenient. He demanded a lot from those who really were wise and penetrating. From ordinary minds he did not expect great achievements, he simply tried to improve and develop them.

The role of Confucianism

Of course, it is huge. In the present world, Confucius is the symbol of his nation, which gave China spiritual and moral longevity. In history textbooks, he is often portrayed as an old man, surrounded by children. What was really his appearance, no one knows. The description of the philosopher's appearance is covered with many legends and myths. As for his teaching, for many centuries it has changed and transformed.

The history of Confucianism is a thousand years old, so the modern version of the doctrine differs significantly from the ancient one. Today it is a special way of life that Europeans do not understand. "The East is a delicate matter," they say, which is absolutely logical and invariable. Even in the XXI century, Chinese officials are trying to keep the commandments of this teaching and behave the way Confucius preached. Their actions are dictated by the legacy of the ancient philosophical and religious trend, which makes the Chinese unlike other nations, and the Celestial Empire - special, not like most states. The role of Confucianism is great. His influence is felt in all spheres of Chinese life.