Confucius

A detailed Summary of Confucius

According to legend, the appearance of a Ch'i Lin or a unicorn foretold the birth of Confucius. It is said that the unicorn held in its mouth a jade tablet inscribed with the prophecy, "A child as pure as crystal will be born for the continuation of the declining Chou, to become a king without a kingdom.{Crofts 3}"

Indeed the restoration to the glory of the Chou Dynasty was to be a lifelong crusade of Confucius, more properly known as K'ung Ch'iu, who was born in 551 BC, in Tsou, a small town in the state of Lu in what is today the Shantung Providence. His father, Shu -Liang He, a former magistrate and warrior of some repute, married the mother of Confucius, Yen Cheng Tsai, said to be descended from Po Ch'in, the elder son of the Duke of Chou, surnamed Chi.

Growing up as he did in poverty, Confucius viewed the world from a practical perspective. Since he lost his father at such a young age he was in effect raised by his mother, and was obligated to work several jobs to support his family. At different stages of his life, the man who would one day be revered as the greatest Chinese philosopher, held positions as shepherd, cowherd, clerk and book-keeper.

At age fifteen Confucius had resolved to devote his energy to the pu

Confucius died in 479 BC and was buried in Chu U Fu. Today, the site of his final resting place has become the breathtakingly beautiful K'ung Forest, said to have grown to its present eight kilometers perimeter, from a few trees first planted by the disciples in memory of Confucius.

The economy was changing as well. The productive class -mostly farmers-was shrinking while the merchant sector was growing. The marketplaces were flooded with goods that were costly but had no real use. Part of the growing middle class was a sector of scholars, who had a hard time finding employment.

His views on government were that every citizen of the state should have a designated title or role, and assert himself in that role in the scheme of life; that every ruler should be benevolent, provide a good living standard for the people, and promote moral education and the rites. As perfect examples of benevolent rulership, he exalted the legendary Emperor Yao and his successor, Emperor Shun, whose fabled wisdom and compassion were renowned, and whose reigns were said to constitute 'a golden age of antiquity.'

Confucius taught that harmony begins in the basic unit of society, the family. Sons must show respect for their fathers. Younger brothers must respect older brothers. Wives must respect husbands. The father must guide through example. Then the family will be harmonious. The family was a microcosm of society itself. In the same way, subjects must show respect for their ruler. However, the ruler also had his duty- to treat his subjects as a loving father would. By doing so he ensures harmony. This was Confucius' prescription for the ills of his time.

Growing old and weary he returned to Lu once more. He was sixty-eight and saddened by his experiences of a grasping and cynical world, yet still holding true to his own high ideals. He continued to teach, and the wisdom of his words, as documented by his followers, would live forever.

In the same fashion Confucianism also grew, from the origins in the classical age (550-200BC} surviving and eventually surpassing other schools of thought in 140 BC, when Confucianism was officially recognized as the only philosophy. However it was not until AD5 that Confucianism was honored by Imperial Command for the first time, by Emperor P'ing of the Ha Dynasty who praised him as 'revered and accomplished.' The Sage would receive the ultimate

Some common words found in the essay are:
Chi Growing, Lu Confucius', According Confucius, Master Ages, Emperor Shun, Ch'i Lin, Autumn Annals, K'ung Forest, Ha Dynasty, T'ang Dynasty, ruler ruler, life government,

Approximate Word count = 1618
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: People