Confucius

Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system based upon the teachings of the Chinese sage named Confucius. Confucius' philosophy was predominately a moral and political one.[1] It was founded on the belief that heaven and earth coexist in harmony and balanced strength, whilst maintaining a perpetual dynamism. Human beings, he taught, are sustained by these conditions and must strive to emulate the cosmic model.[2] It developed in the Warring States period, or “Spring and Autumn” period, 722-479 B.C.E. Most of his teachings dealt with the human world, rather than the ethereal realm and his text were derived from human experience. Whereas, many of the texts of his time period were derived from a more ethereal or the superstition of that time period, such as the Oracle Bone inscriptions of the late Shang dynasty. From 551-479 Confucius developed six texts, but the actual accepted classics are five. The sixth is often mentioned in early writing, the sixth was called the “Music”. Confucius traveled around China to promote his ideas among rulers. But eventually became involved in teaching disciples. Although he was unable to restore world order, as was his wish, his thoughts developed into a vast and complete philosophical system known as Confucianism. Confucius was regarded as the guardian and transmitter of the old literature.[3] It is recorded that Confucius although didn’t write a specific texts he did commentate and further develop many already written or recorded texts, that were written by other Sages. The First of which was the Classic of “Change”, which was from the Han period, which was before Confucius’ time. He wrote a number of appendices or “wings[4]” (commentary and interpretations of the writings). The second classic was the Classic of Documents or Classic of History. This work consisted of commentaries, counsels, speeches and oral reports made by various rulers, and their ministers, from the times of the sages, Yao and Shun. Some of the work dated back as far the Zhou period, which was long before Confucius’ time. Confucius made commentaries and introductions to each work of text. Confucius edited the Classic of Poetry from the Zhou dynasty and the Classic of “Record of Rites”, which, he is credited as being the Compiler and the editor. The “Spring and Autumn” Annals is a classic of chronicle events affecting the state of Lu in the years from 722 to 481 B.C.E.[5] Lu was the native state of Confucius and he complied the Annuals from earlier records in the Lu archives.
Confucius did not write the original texts he studied and worked on. “I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.”(Confucius, Analects) “To learn and from time to time to apply what one has learned, isn't that a pleasure?... Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.” (Confucius, Analects)
But the many of the texts gave him the basis to which to formulate many of his philosophies dealing with the human experience and how to restore order in the world. The study of history is the best way to see how the human race goes wrong and what needs to be changed, so as to not repeat the same errors in judgment. “Study the past if you would define the future.” (Confucius, Analects) Confucius studied a lot of archived information that allow him to see the patterns of human behavior and the consequences. If a person wanted to actually study the real writings or actual saying of Confucius, one would have to read, and study a work named The Analects, which is a short collection of his discussions with disciples, compiled posthumously. These contain an overview of his teachings. Confucius presents himself as a transmitter who invented nothing and his greatest emphasis may be on study, the Chinese character that opens the book.[6] In this respect, Chinese people see him as the Greatest Master. Far from trying to build a systematic theory of life and society, he wanted his disciples to think deeply for themselves and relentlessly study the outside world. For almost two thousand years, Analects had been the fundamental course of study for any Chinese scholar, for a man was not considered morally upright or enlightened if he did not study Confucius' works.
Confucian schools continued to thrive despite some persecution during the Qin Dynasty, in the first century B.C.E., they gained acceptance and Confucian moral laws were thought to be the basis for the structure of society and an example of for future rulers to set standards of government. It also set the proper procedure and etiquette of society. Although Confucius didn’t succeed in his time to restore world order his work and his teachings did restore it in time. All of his works were considered the foremost authority on Chinese history and studied by all of Chinese society. “This equilibrium is the great root from which grow all the human actings in the world, and this harmony is the universal path which they all should pursue.” (Confucius, Doctrine of the Mean)
“Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.” (Confucius, Analects)
[1] www.spacemotion.com/Philosophy-Confucius-Confucianism.htm
[2] www.spacemotion.com/Philosophy-Confucius-Confucianism.htm
[3] Sources of Chinese Tradition , by Bares and Bloom
[4] Sources of Chinese Tradition , by Bares and Bloom
[5] Sources of Chinese Tradition , by Bares and Bloom
[6] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius