Facts about Confucianism

• Foundation of Confucianism: 6th-5th cent. BC
• Place of foundation: China
• Founder of Confucianism: Confucius (551-479 BC)  

Confucianism is an ancient Chinese ethical & philosophical method originally developed from the teachings of the early Chinese philosopher Confucius. There are many facts about Confucianism which are still prevalent and being followed.

Confucianism does not really begin with Confucius. Confucius has strong desire to understand why certain rituals, such as the ancestral cult, reverence for Heaven, and mourning ceremonies, had still survived for centuries.

It is one of the facts about Confucianism that Confucian ethics have had the strongest influence on the moral values of Chinese society. There was a revival of Confucian thought in the 11th century known as Neo-Confucianism.

Confucius was the pioneer of a new line of thought in the east. However it is a fact about Confucianism that it was years after his death that people realized the soundness of his thoughts and he got recognition for his vision.

One of the facts about Confucianism is that it focuses on human morality & nice deeds.

Confucianism is based on the idea of 'love' and 'compassion' as two prime virtues in life.

Confucianism is a complex method of moral, social, political, philosophical, & quasi-religious thought that has had tremendous influence on the culture & history of East Asia.

The cultures most strongly influenced by Confucianism include those of China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, & Vietnam, as well as various territories settled predominantly by Chinese people.

Some interesting facts about Confucianism are that they are laid on some fundamental principles. According to Confucianism if a person follows these principles, he is considered to be ideal man or perfect man. These are:

Li: It is the principle of self-restraint and sense of propriety which a person should develop. A person should always give honor and respect to others.

 
Hsiao: Hsiao is love for the immediate family and then society. The family members should love each other, be it any relation. He believes that only if family is united then society will prosper. 

Yi: It is the principle of Confucianism which states righteousness. It says that you should sacrifice anything even yourself for what is right.

Xin: It is related to honesty in life. You should be honest with yourself and people around you.

Jen: It is the most important within all principles. It teaches to be kind and humane to your fellow beings. This principle of Confucianism promotes sharing and understanding of each other feelings.

Chung: Chung is the principle of loyalty. It says you should be loyal to one's family and to one's country. Loyalty binds a country strongly together.

Confucius was a lover of music and also played some instruments.

There are other interesting facts about Confucianism also. It includes five classics and five books.

The Five Classics of Confucianism are:

1. Shu Ching - collection of documents and speeches dating from the Later Han Dynasty (23-220 CE)
2. Shih Ching - collection of 300 poems and songs from the early Chou Dynasty (1027-402 BC)
3. I Ching -collection of texts on divination based on a set of 64 hexagrams.
4. Ch'un Ching - extracts from the history of the state of Lu 722-484, said to be compiled by Confucius
5. Li Ching - consists of three books on the Li (Rites of Propriety)

And the Four Books of Confucianism are:

1. Lun Yu (Analects) of Confucius
2. Chung Yung (Doctrine of the Mean)
3. Ta Hsueh (Great Learning)
4. Meng Tzu (Mencius)