Confucian Glossary Names and Terms

Analects (Lun Yu)

A collection of sayings of Confucius complied by his disciples; one of the Four Books

Cheng Ming

Literally, “rectification of names“; accurate correspondence of words with objective reality

Ch’i

the physical element of being

Chu Hsi (1130-1200 CE)

Chinese Philosopher who formulated the Confucian canon and established Neo-Confucianist thought

Ch’un Ch’iu

“Spring and Autumn Annals”, chronicling the history of the state of Lu; one of the Five Classics

Chung Yung

Principle of the “golden mean,” similar to Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean. It is described in one fo the Four Books, which bears the same title

Chun Tzu

the confucian gentleman

Confucius (551-479 bce)

the founder of confucianism, his name in chinese is K’ung Ch’iu, but he was called K’ung Fu-tzu (Master K’ung); hence the Latinized version Confucius

Hsiao

Filial Piety; the respect due to parents, elders, and superiors

I Ching

“Book of Changes“, containing keys to divination and the identification of materials and objects with their associated yin and yang properties; one of the Five Classics

Jen

“Human-heartedness“ or “true manhood“; the ideal attribute and goal of a Confucian education

Li (rational priciple in Neo-Confucianism)

impels the vital physical force in every obejct toward movement or generation

Li (ritual)

The proper way in which relationships between people should be managed

Li Chi

“Book of Ritual“, discussing the meanings of rituals; one of the Five Classics, incorporating as chapters two of the Four Books

Mencius (Meng Tzu) (390-305 BCE)

Disciple of Confucius and influential interpreter of his doctrines

Meng Tzu

“Book of Mencius“; one of the Four Books, representing a compilation of Mencius’s sayings and writings

Shih Ching

“Book of Poetry“, containing song lyrics; one of the Five Classics and the seminal work of early Chinese poetry

Shu Ching

“Book of History“, featuring sayings and doings of the ancient sage-kings; one of the Five Classics

Ta Hsueh

“Great Learning“; discourse on promoting order in society through self-cultivation of individuals, It is one of the Four Books and was the “primer“ text in a classical Confucian education

T’ien

“Heaven“; the supreme “diety” through much of Chinese history

Ts Chuan

One of the three commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals, and required memorization for the classical Confucian student.