Confucianism Vocab

K’ung Fu-Tzu (Confucius)

Definition

• China’s first teacher

• founded Confucianism

Significance

• highly valued learning

• believed in social hierarchy

Analects

Definition

• a collection of sayings and dialogues of Confucius recorded by his disciples after death

Significance

• teaches about morality, proper behavior, respect, and good government

• shaped Chinese education, politics, and family values—still studied today

Ancestor Worship

Definition

• traditional rituals about honoring the dead—important in Chinese religion

Significance

• food, wine, incense, candles, and flowers are offered on altars to the deceased ancestors

• a persons soul survives as long as it is fed these offerings

Chun-Zhu (Junzi)

Definition

• gentleman

• the goal of Confucianism is to become a junzi: a noble, virtuous, educated, morally upright person

Significance

• most important attribute is jen (benevolence)

• practices the 8 virtues and cultivates wen

Five Constant Relationships

Definition

• the key relationships in society that maintain order and harmony

Significance

• establishes ethical conduct and social harmony

• mutual respect and responsibility: higher person guides the lower

Xiao

Definition

• filial piety

• the virtue of respect, obedience, and care for one’s parents and ancestors

Significance

• maintains family and social order

• preserves ancestral traditions and heritage

• expresses gratitude for the sacrifices parents make

Wen

Definition

• cultural arts

• the cultivation of cultural and artistic refinement, essential element to being a junzi

Significance

• includes calligraphy, dance, painting, poetry, opera

• compliments wu, meaning military power

Ren (jen)

Definition

• benevolence

• core confucian virtue of kindness and compassion

Significance

• primary virtue of Confucianism

• Confucius believed everyone can develop jen

Shu (shoo)

Definition

• self-reflection

• feeling what others feel, treating others how you want to be treated (empathy)

Significance

• core value of empathy and moral reciprocity

• central to the main confucian virtue of jen

Eight Virtues

Definition

• core confucian & daoism ethical values that form personal. character, good relationships, & social harmony

Significance

• sibling harmony - harmony in relationships with siblings, peers, and community

• loyalty - being faithful & responsible in duties

• trustworthiness - honesty and keeping one’s word

• sense of shame - knowing right vs wrong

Li

Definition

• propriety

• the proper conduct, rituals, & etiquette that govern interaction and maintain harmony within society

Significance

• needed for social harmony and order

• framework for what is right & ethical

• promotes harmony