Asian Studies Chinese Philosophy

Confucius

(551-479 BCE) A Chinese philosopher known also as Kong Fuzi and created one of the most influential philosophies in Chinese history.

Lao Tzu

Chinese philosopher; taught about Taoism (following the way of nature) and yin/yang

Confucianism

The system of ethics, education, and statesmanship taught by Confucius and his disciples, stressing love for humanity, ancestor worship, reverence for parents, and harmony in thought and conduct.

Analects

a record of the words and acts of the central Chinese thinker and philosopher Confucius and his disciples

Filial Piety

In Confucian thought, one of the virtues to be cultivated, a love and respect for one's parents and ancestors.

Ren

An attitude of kindness and benevolence or a sense of humanity for Confucianism.

Gentleman

Confucius states that there are five major characteristics that make up a true gentleman which are humility, sincerity, graciousness, magnanimity, and diligence. According to him, an individual who can practice all five of them can be considered as a superior man/ a portrayer of true manhood or put a gentleman.

Li

Called for individuals to behave in conventionally appropriate fashion in Confucianism.Confucian concept often rendered as "ritual," "proper conduct," or "propriety." Originally denoted court rites performed to sustain social and cosmic order.

Civil Service Exam

In Imperial China starting in the Han dynasty, it was an exam based on Confucian teachings that was used to select people for various government service jobs in the nationwide administrative bureaucracy.

Taoism

religion believed to have been founded by Lao-Tsu and based upon his book entitled "Tao-te-ching," or "Book of the Way." Lao-Tsu focused on the proper form of political rule and on the oneness of humanity and nature.

Tao

the way of nature, the energy in all beings, indescribable, intangable

Tao Te Ching

Book with the teachings of Taoism

P'u

"unworked wood; inherent quality; simple" that was an early Daoist metaphor for the natural state of humanity, and relates with the Daoist keyword ziran (literally "self so") "natural; spontaneous, uncarved block

Yin and Yang

In Taoist belief, complementary factors that help to maintain the equilibrium of the world. One is associated with masculine, light, and active qualities while the other is with feminine, dark, and passive qualities.

Wu Wei

In Daoism, "not doing" in the sense of taking no action is contrary to the natural flow, action with nonaction. horse in the street, walk around it.

The three jewels

compassion, kindness, love

moderation, simplicity, frugality

humility, modesty