CONFUCIANISM

AND
TAOISM
The Ways of Virtue and Nature
CONFUCIANISM

• “The way of Virtue”

• Otherwise known as Ruism
• Originally conceived as a philosophy based
on the teachings of Confucius.
• It aims to help people in self-
transformation by emphasizing the
importance of education.
The Li, a symbol of good behavior.
 • Founder of Confucianism or the “Way of Virtue.”
• Born in 551 BCE in what is now known as Shantung.
• He was born in an era or the Zhou Dynasty and during
the warring states.
• His name is a latinized form of “Kong Fuzi,” or master
Kong.
• The original Chinese name is Kong Qui.

Confucius
THE 5 CLASSICS (WUJING)
• Highly valued texts written even before
Confucius and were only compiled and
edited by him.
• The basis for Confucian tradition.
• Classic of Poetry (Shijing) – the oldest
collection of Chinese poetry. THE 5 CLASSICS (WUJING)
• Classic of History (Shujing) – the 1st
historical narrative of prominent figures in
Chinese History.
• Classic of Changes (Yijing) – contains
systems of divination practices, some of
which are still used in China
• Record of Rites (Liji) – contains
descriptions of social norms, gov’t
organization and the ritual conduct during
the Zhou dynasty.
• Spring and Autumn Annals (Chunqiu) –
specifically written for chronicling
purposes. Includes the list of marriages,
deaths and funerals of rulers, battles fought,
won and lost, etc.
THE 4 BOOKS (Si Shu)
• These are four classical texts that form the
other half of Confucian canon.

• Mainly composed after the death of Confucius,

during an attempt to revive his teachings

• These books illustrate the core values and

belief systems in Confucianism.

• The embodiments of Confucian teachings.

 THE 4 BOOKS (Si Shu)
1. The Great Learning (Daxue) – a chapter
originally taken from the Liji. An introductory
basis for Confucian Morality.
2. The Doctrine of the Mean (Zhongyong) –
attributed to Kong Zi, the only grandson of
Confucius. It deals with the importance of
inner harmony achieved by avoiding
extremes. This harmony is found in the
relationship between humanity and the moral
order.
 THE 4 BOOKS (Si Shu)
3. The Book of Mencius (Mengzi) – written
by Mencius, one of Confucius’ principal
disciples, this book as the first attempt to treat
the principles of Confucius in a philosophical
manner.
- It is composed of conversations between
Confucius and Mencius on morality and
politics. Mencius profoundly expresses his
idea of the inherent goodness in man.
 THE 4 BOOKS (Si Shu)
4. The Analects (Lunyu)– the most famous
among Confucius’ collection of reputed sayings
and conversations. This book emphasized the
importance of learning. In fact, learning is the
first step in knowing The Way.
- The book also emphasized the importance of good
governance, virtue, filial piety, and ritual. Confucius
thought that the country’s progress depended on its
people’s morality, starting from its leaders.
 THE 4 BOOKS (Si Shu)
4. The Analects (Lunyu)

• Confucius taught that a ruler’s sense of

virtue was the first requirement for
leadership.

• Human beings obtain a sense of virtue

through ren, which is cultivated from a
devotion to one’s parents and older siblings.
CONFUCIAN SPIRITUALITY: JUNZI
• The way to finding Confucian spirituality
is to see how Confucianism relates their
way of living with the process of learning.

• Learning can be considered a spiritual

path.

• The goal of Confucian spirituality is to

become Junzi, or the superior man.
 CONFUCIAN SPIRITUALITY: JUNZI
• Observance of traditional values towards the
attainment of the consistent self- transformation of
man.

• This can also be inferred in the view of the neo-

Confucian Tu Wei Ming, who says that Confucian
spirituality can be examined through the
integration of the four dimensions of humanity:
self, community, nature and heaven.
 • Started out as a philosophical tradition
TAOISM
first expressed in the compilation of
poems called the Tao Te Ching, which
means “the classic of the way and its
power.”

• During the Han Dynasty, this was

called Tao Jia, or the “philosophy of
the Tao.”
TAOISM
• The legendary forefather, Lao Tzu, was said to
have been born to a virgin, at around 604 BCE.

• This person’s true identity is still up to debate

because this name, Lao Tzu is a title of
endearment and respect, meaning “Old Master.”

• Once held a government position but left due to

the personal view that the government is a
distraction from the simplicity by which
LAO TZU humans should live by.
TAOISM
• Legend has it that Lao Tzu traveled away from
society riding an ox.

• He came upon a gatekeeper to the western

regions who did not let him through until Lao
Tzu wrote down his life’s philosophy.

• Through short perplexing poems, Lao Tzu wrote

a discourse on how one must live.

• This he called the Tao Te Ching… sometimes

simply known as the Lao Tzu.
TAOISM
• This is recognized to be timeless in meaning and
is the second most translated literature in the
world.

• Made up of just 81 brief chapters. Not intended to

be a sacred scripture and may have been
politically motivated.

• The philosophy of the Tao was not adopted by

any Chinese government because of its passivity.

• Most notable on the teaching of simple and

natural living.
TAOIST RELIGIOUS
PRACTICES • These only took form in the second
century.

• It deals with rituals and cosmic

renewals to uplift the relationship
between the community and their
deities or spirits.

• This religious form of Taoism

focuses on the pursuit of
Immortality and enlightenment.
• Every Taoist aims to become a Xian, an enlightened being.

• Immortality is found in the restoration of the creative balance of the qi, or

breath. The qi of the Tao creates the dynamism of the yin and the yang.
Because of this dynamism, death and dissolution entered reality.
 THE TAO
Man experiences
• The Tao should not be seen as a God. the Tao in his very
existence.
• It cannot be named. The Tao that can be
named is not the true Tao.

• It is the mystery that is profound and

Non-being that is
manifested in all. the source of all
being.
• It flows.
 THE TAO
Man should act without
asserting himself.
The person should not have
ambitions and desires.

• Man’s goal is to be in harmony with this

Tao.
Whoever yields to the
• To live a naturally simple life is to employ Tao is truly alive.
“Wu Wei.” This means “inaction.”