CHINA

Chapter 5-2

Confucius and His TeachingsObjectives:

• Learn about the life of Confucius

• Find out about the teachings of Confucius

• Understand the influence of Confucianism

• He lived during the Zhou dynasty.

• He was China’s first and greatest teacher and philosopher.

• He believed people could get along peacefully if they followed a code of behavior where people should be sincere, loyal and respectful.

Who is Confucius?

Confucius liked to teach

students who were eager to learn and completed all of their

work.

What kind of students did Confucius like to teach?

THE PHILOSOPHY of Confucianism

It is a system of beliefs and values.

They believed in passing on teachings in order for rulers to reform (change).

Confucius hoped to bring peace, stability, and prosperity to China.

Order in Society

People need to behave properly towards one another and ORDER and PEACE will result.

Respect Know your place in the family and in society. Respect the people above and below you.

Confucianism / Teachings of Confucius

Confucianism Continued…..• He established 5 relationships to create an ordered society:

• Ruler and ruled • Father and son -Parent & Child

• Husband and wife• Older brother and

younger brother - Older Sibling &Younger Sibling

• Friend and friend

Which is an equal relationship?

Chose one that you

believe in and copy it into your

notes.

YIN YANG SYMBOL

• Treat others justly and follow rules of behavior

• People should observe nature and try to live in HARMONY with it!

• Nature that can not be defined, only experienced

• Happiness comes from balancing opposite forces of nature (Yin/Yang)

• Goal in life: Achieve oneness with the DAO (the Way)

DAOISM: It is a religious philosophy that supports these ideas:

It is the opposite of all things...But can not exclude or exist without

each other.• Happy/ Sad• Good/ Bad• Pleasure/ Pain• Male-white/ female-dark• Sunny/ Dark

What do the dots represent?

Laozi or Lao Tzu

He was a Chinese thinker whose writings

started the Taoist or (Daoist) philosophy, leading a simple and

selfless life and loving nature.

Describe the religious traditions of ancient China:

Ancient China was home to a variety of religious traditions, including ancestor worship, honoring gods, and belief in spirits.

Most people believed that life should be lived in harmony with nature, including the members of Daoism.

Civil Service

Confucius’ teachings became

part of the training for the group of

people who carry out the work of the

government.

Merit System/Meritocracy

*A policy in which each worker is appointed to a job and is trained for that job based on his merit or qualifications.

*Candidates had to pass an official examination based on Confucius’ teachings.

*They get a salary, follow strict rules, and answer to a superior.

Civil servants had to know how

to read. Many poor men did not

possess that ability!

Why was it difficult for poor men to work in the civil service?