The name of this philosopher is familiar to everyone. Confucius is the most famous Chinese. The teachings of the ancient thinker form the basis of the state ideology. It influenced the life of East Asia. Confucianism was not inferior to Buddhism in its significance in China for a long time. Although religious issues are not touched upon in the philosophy of Confucianism, the name of Confucius was inscribed in the religious pantheon.
Confucius is an innovator in the idea of ​​building a moral, harmonious society. Following the rules of philosophy, a person will be in harmony with himself and the world around him. The popularity of Confucius’s aphorisms and judgments has not faded even 20 centuries after his death.
Childhood and youth
The biography of the Kun clan, of which Confucius is a descendant, is described in detail by historians of medieval China. Confucius is a descendant of Wei-tzu, a commander of the Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty Chen-wang. For his loyalty to the emperor, Wei-tzu was given the principality of Song and the title of zhu hou. By the time Confucius was born, the Wei-tzu clan had already become impoverished and moved to the kingdom of Lu in northern China. Confucius’s father, Shuliang He, had two wives. The first gave birth to nine daughters. The second gave birth to a son, but the weak boy died.
In 551 BC, the 63-year-old Shuliang He was born to his concubine Yan Zhengzai, who was barely seventeen at the time. According to legend, she went up to a hill under a mulberry tree to give birth. At the moment of the baby’s birth, a spring gushed out from under the ground, in which he was washed. Afterwards, the water stopped flowing. The father did not live long after the birth of his son. When Confucius was one and a half years old, Shuliang He left this world. Yan Zhengzai, who was disliked by her senior wives, left her husband’s house and moved closer to her relatives, to the city of Qufu. Yan Zhengzai and the boy lived independently. Confucius had to experience hardships from childhood.
Confucius’ mother instilled in the boy that he should be a worthy successor to the family line. Although the small family lived in poverty, the boy worked hard, mastering the knowledge necessary for a Chinese aristocrat. Particular attention was paid to the arts. Diligence in his studies bore fruit: 20-year-old Confucius was appointed to be responsible for the barns of the Ji family of the Lu principality in eastern China. And then he was put in charge of the livestock.
Teaching
Confucius lived during the decline of the Zhou Empire. The emperor gradually lost power, handing it over to the rulers of individual principalities. The patriarchal structure of the state declined. Civil wars led to impoverishment of the people.
In 528 BC, Yan Zhengzai, Confucius’ mother, died. Following the tradition of mourning a relative, he went into a three-year retirement. This retirement allowed the philosopher to study ancient books and create a philosophical treatise on the rules of relationships in building a harmonious state.
When the philosopher was 44 years old, he was appointed governor of the residence of the Principality of Lu. For some time he was the head of the judicial service. From the height of his post, Confucius called upon those in power to punish the people only in the case of disobedience, and in other cases – “to explain to people their duties and teach.”
Confucius worked for some time as an official of several principalities. But the impossibility of reconciling himself with the new state policy forced him to resign. He began to travel around China with his students, preaching philosophical teachings.
Only at the age of 60 did Confucius return to his native Qufu and did not leave until his death. Confucius spent the rest of his life with his students, working on the systematization of the wise literary heritage of China: the Book of Songs, the Book of Changes and other volumes of Chinese philosophy. Of the classical heritage of Confucius himself, only one has been reliably authenticated – Spring and Autumn.
Chinese historians count about 3 thousand students of the philosopher, but only 26 are reliably known. Yan-yuan is considered Confucius’ favorite student.
Based on quotes from the ancient philosopher, his students compiled a book of sayings, Lun Yu (Conversations and Judgments). Da Xue (Great Teaching) was created, a book about the path of human improvement, and Zhong Yong (Book of the Mean), about the path of attaining harmony.
Confucianism
During the Han Dynasty (2nd century BC – 3rd century AD), Confucius’ teachings were elevated to the rank of ideology of the Celestial Empire. At that time, Confucianism became the pillar of Chinese morality and shaped the way of life of the Chinese people. Confucianism played a decisive role in shaping the appearance of Chinese civilization.
The basis of Confucian philosophy is the construction of a society based on harmony. Each member of this society stands in his place and performs his assigned function. The basis of relations between the upper and lower classes is loyalty. The philosophy is based on five main qualities inherent in a righteous person: respect, justice, ritual, wisdom, decency.
” Ren ” – “respect”, “generosity”, “kindness”, a fundamental category in Chinese philosophy. This is the main of the five virtues that a person should possess. ” Ren ” includes three main components: love and compassion for people, the correct attitude of two people to each other, the attitude of a person to the surrounding world, including – to inanimate objects. A person who has comprehended ” Ren ” is in balance with the surrounding world, fulfilling the “golden rule of morality”: “do not impose on others what you do not want for yourself.” The symbol of ” Ren ” is a tree.
” I ” – “justice”. A person who follows “I” does not do so out of selfish motives, but because the path of “I” is the only true one. It is based on reciprocity: your parents raised you, and in gratitude you honor them. “I” balances “Ren”, giving a person firmness in the fight against selfishness. A noble person seeks justice. The symbol of “I” is metal.
” Li ” – “ritual”, means “decency”, “ethics”, “ceremonies”. In this concept, the Chinese philosopher put the possibility of smoothing out conflicts that interfere with the state of world unity through rituals of behavior. A person who has mastered “Li” not only respects elders, but also understands their role in society. The symbol of “Li” is fire.
” Zhi ” – “wisdom”. “Zhi” is the quality of a noble person. “Common sense” distinguishes a person from an animal, “Zhi” frees from doubts, not giving free rein to stubbornness. Fights stupidity. The symbol in Confucianism is water.
” Xin ” – “trustworthiness”. Trustworthiness is considered to be that which feels good. Another meaning is conscientiousness and ease. “Xin” balances “ritual”, preventing insincerity. “Xin” corresponds to Earth.
In contrast to Confucianism, a number of philosophical schools are widespread in China. There are about a hundred schools in total. The main place is occupied by Taoism, founded by Lao Tzu and Zhuang Tzu.
In his philosophical teachings, Lao Tzu emphasizes our inseparable connection with the cosmos. For each person, there is only one path, predetermined from above. People are not inclined to influence the world order. The path of humanity is humility. Lao Tzu calls on people not to try to influence the course of events around them. Taoism is a philosophy with a mystical beginning, appealing to human emotions. Confucianism with its rationalism appeals to the human mind.
In Europe, Confucius became known in the mid-17th century, with the advent of fashion for everything connected with Eastern culture. The first edition of the Lun Yu in Latin was published in 1687. At that time, Jesuit missionary work was gaining momentum, including in China. The first visitors from the Celestial Empire arrived in Europe, which fueled public interest in the unknown and exotic.
Personal Life
At the age of 19, Confucius married Kikoan Shi, a girl from a noble family. The family had their first child, Li, better known as Bo-Yu. Then Kikoan Shi gave birth to a daughter.
Death
At the age of 66, the philosopher became a widower. In the twilight of his life, he devoted all his time to his students in his home in the city of Qufu. Confucius died in 479 BC, at the age of 72. Before his death, he fell into a seven-day sleep.
In the city of Qufu (Shandong Province, Eastern China), a temple was built on the site of the ancient thinker’s house. After the construction of adjoining buildings and extensions, the structure grew into a temple complex. The burial place of Confucius and his disciples has been a pilgrimage site for 2,000 years. In 1994, UNESCO included the temple complex, Confucius’s house, and the forest around it in the “List of World Cultural Heritage Sites.”