Confucianism is the ethical nature of the belief systems of their ideas. Confucianism as a character molding, building a way of life, for this way of life provided an inexhaustible source of meaning of life, the world's cultural stage show unique Confucian culture. This can be seen as is.
Characteristics of the formation of Confucianism
In Confucianism, the ethical and moral values can be derived in a can interpret the core of other ideas. Confucianism formed the qualities or characteristics, mainly because Confucianism and further study is done in succession Yin and Zhou Dynasties and the Western Zhou period occurred in two important changes in the established concepts.
First, the religious concept of a breakthrough. Historical development of religion can be classified as broad-brush to mature from the original religion religion. The main source of religious expression is beyond existence (god) of the alien, contradictory emotional and psychological state of fear, mature religion is there is an increase of transcendence into nature, converted the sacred feelings; primitive religion to worship is characterized by a mature religious faith places a unique connotation as a symbol - the so-called worship, it can eventually make the human existence beyond the link with the interpretation of the kind of movement behavior. Yin and Zhou Dynasties period in ancient China, the Yin Ruins Oracle divination notebook display, no nothing to do with Bu Shang rulers, no day without sacrifice, piety, and the fate of the person chosen by the people all over the world, the alien's "Emperor" of the spirits of the decision The original concept of religion is a very strong strong. Zhou was originally a small border to submit to the Shang state, but in the end actually beat strong in their own country and culture than their own sovereign state. Yin and Zhou Dynasties of the great political changes, causing a profound reflection on the Western Zhou Dynasty nobility, inspired the awakening of moral consciousness, that summer, Yin dynasties perish, not God, the spirits will, but their own abuses, the loss of moral character of the results. This experience is the most important historical Western Zhou Dynasty nobles stated as: "Heaven helps those non-pro, but Germany is the secondary" ("Shang Shucai Chung's life"), "inhuman spirits real pro, but Germany is in accordance with" ("Zuo Xi public five years "). From the summer, the demise of Yin, the Western Zhou rulers govern the country had to maintain the rule to "King Tak", "protect the people," a series of moral values. The development of ancient Chinese thought the mainstream route which turned to the moral direction, from the evolution of primitive religion to a mature religious orientation was blocked, interrupted. Confucius said: "The second week in prison, luxuriant peace Bunya, I from the week." ("The Analects of Confucius 8-yi") inherited the Zhou Dynasty Confucianism breakthrough in learning the concept of moral religious awakening, and further consolidate the religion and alienation since the Western Zhou Dynasty people rely heavily on the idea of moral tradition of governing the country. Confucianism study by Yin, "Emperor" change from the "Heaven" ("Heaven", "destiny") understood, interpreted as some kind of impersonal, non-existence of alien nature of transcendence, the "spirits" as, interpreted as "gas" a state of existence or performance, there is hardly a personality of transcendence. In other words, the object of worship in the study Confucianism (days, spirits, etc.), not the object of religious belief in general also has the kind of transcendent, personal nature of alien nature of the quality, not the religion of the "external transcendence" object, but can be used for analysis of moral reasoning, cognitive or body of knowledge is the "inner transcendence" object, or beyond the natural sexual object. Confucianism also learn that "sacrifice, non-material from the outside to those who are, in a self-born heart, the only Sage can make the sacrifice of righteousness" ("Book of Rites Festival Commission"), "Prayer is not worship." ("ritual"), that is, ritual behavior is not as religious rituals, prayer, as to communicate with people of faith "beyond the external" links between objects has been begging; but only one for the world, ancestors End of the heartfelt thoughts, feelings of gratitude and moral expression. Significant words, Confucianism study of ritual behavior also made non-religious moral understanding and interpretation. In short, Confucianism study of ritual objects and ritual actions by non-religious interpretation of the concept of consolidation of the Western Zhou Dynasty since the level of spiritual and moral direction, forming a difference between religion and the moral qualities of Confucianism.
Second, the patriarchal concept of metamorphosis. Patriarchal clan system is the formation of the Western Zhou Dynasty to entropy (born son's wife), Shu (public concubine's son born) of kinship and closeness to the mass difference sequence, following the principle of national political power and wealth of the family system. Patriarchal social structure of relations between the main building is the monarch and integration of these systems, namely the Son of Heaven (Zhou Wang), princes (king) of power and position of the eldest son inherited the system entropy ("Jun Commission") and the Bastard or the general family of princes passed from generation to generation, following the direct descendant (bulk) and Shuzu (careen) of clan lineage ("case system"). Visible, the patriarchal system in the Western Zhou Dynasty emperor and princes, the princes under his doctor, who hierarchy between high and low political status, in bulk and careen kinship between human closeness, are particularly distinctive. Of this hierarchy between people in social life, closeness of the difference sequence, to make laws and institutions, the behavior of the intrinsic nature of rationality and civilized norms, is the "gift."
Western Zhou Dynasty of patriarchal clan system is not implemented in all members of society, but only in a closed state (princes), there fief (doctor), there is Paul Field (persons) in the implementation of the aristocracy, not the common people closed their land Lu people can not share the "gift" of civilized life. With the Spring and Autumn period, such as constantly undergoing "three after the name, today is Shu" ("Zuo Zhao Gong three years"), aristocratic family "down in Zaoli" ("Zuo Zhao Gong for three years." ) as the social class changes, the Western Zhou Dynasty and ideas in this patriarchal Confucianism has been important in the evolution of science. First, the "gift" of the scope was extended to the common people with disabilities the following class. Confucius said: "China's in the benevolent, even extreme misery" ("The Analects of Confucius Duke Ling of Wei"), "Road of the government, together with punishment, and the public to avoid shameless; Road to Germany, with propriety, with shame and grid. "(" the government ") that people think that the people on the methods and means of governance, the moral propriety is the best; to civilized life, the" gift "is also the common people need the public should be shared. Confucius said, "No Child" ("Duke Ling of Wei"), Mencius also said, "to teach (the people) to human relations" ("Mencius, Teng Wengong"), are advocated for the content of virtue and morality will be a "gift" education, "li" ethical life extended to all members of society to go. Secondly, in the study of Confucianism, Zhou patriarchal concept of hierarchy in the sense of power and position to be diluted, the ethical obligations of responsibility in order to be highlighted. Confucius said, "Armed Forces also can be Fatal, man can not seize chih" ("Analects Zi Han '), Mencius said," and I like sage "(" Mencius "), have stressed the equality of human personality . "Book of Rites," said "Jun Ren Chen Zhong, Fucizaixiao, good brother brother-Ti, meaning husband wife to listen, baby shun long Hui," the ten "righteous man" (the "Li Yun"), the different roles of ethics have their own moral responsibility for positioning; Mencius even says "the king, as the minister of brotherhood, the minister as the monarch as the hinterland; king as minister, such as pleasures, then, as the monarch as people; Jun chen, such as soil, as the mustard, then the minister as the monarch as foe "(" Mencius Lou "), but also shows the study Confucianism seems patriarchal system of all members of society, despite the ruler and subject, father and son, and his wife in a different ethical position on the hierarchy of different, but should be undertake a two-way, the ethical obligations of responsibility equivalent is the same. In short, the study Confucianism in succession, consolidation and development of the Yin and Zhou Dynasties of the original religious ideas is broken, with the Western Zhou era of patriarchal values and ethical factors to enhance transformation in the formation of a Confucian ethical qualities; has this kinds of qualities, Confucianism gained social recognition, and build the kind of moral consciousness, rather than religion or law enforcement for the social control of the dominant Confucian culture. Culture in the world arena, especially in the many against the background of religious and cultural background, Confucian culture in order to show their own characteristics.
Confucian life meaning of life
The meaning of life is a life worth living solution that knowledge, consciously, is the life force, to meet the (happy) and psychological feelings, mental state. The meaning of life is only human to have a blend of subjective and objective existence of lived experience and noble symbol. Tempting to give religious meaning of life, devout religious believers in the "outside beyond the" existence (such as "God") and the lofty religious goals (such as "Buddha") beliefs, access to power, peace, happiness feelings. Confucianism is not a religion, Confucianism has been able to stretch spread, and finally created a way of life, because Confucianism in secular life with its ethical and moral thinking on human life, into the power of life, goals and feel the value of life, life significance. Confucian meaning of life in the space of three dimensions of life support:
First, ordinary life: hope and responsibility. The daily family-centered Confucian moral principles in life is the main form of life, everyone will experience, have. Confucian moral thought in which ordinary life, in the parent-child intergenerational into a strong ethical sense of hope and responsibility: expect loved ones a better life; to expect to generate power for the happiness of their loved ones to crafts, and sublimation as an ethical and moral responsibility, and consciously to fulfill. Thus, when a person's life has been more than, than personal life goals, objectives appears, that is, with the survival of consciousness, with the meaning of life. In Confucian thought, is "Ci" and "filial piety" two moral values and behavior to the performance of this self-conscious. "Father hastened to ask the child good, only you can not kill the body, but unfortunately no other also" (three kings repair: "commandment sub book"), "wish, while the wind blows, wait for the child wants his parents" ("Hanshiwaizhuan's Disconnection" Volume 9), Ci and filial piety of the ancients is the ethical expression of the feelings of the deepest. In the Confucian family life, parents are in the hope of luring and incentives, in the complete responsibility of Fulfillment and feel the life force, full, happy, and this is achieved in the extraordinary life of meaning of life, everyone to have, to share.
Second, the pursuit of lofty - adults pay the price, immortal. Although Confucianism is a secular life, but also higher than the ordinary life of the meaning of life space. Confucians believe that people should also be able to become fully virtuous person's pursuit and practice, higher than the national ethical community of family devotion in the life of the individual into the collective life of struggle, that in the adult, pay the price, far immortal spirit of the pursuit of a higher, deeper meaning of life to achieve the existence of life. Confucius "adult" content has a definite virtue explanation: "If Zang Wuzhong of knowledge, Gongchuo's do not want to, Bian Zhuangzi Yong, Ran Qiu of Arts, Culture of the music, can provide the adult. This adult who must what? see Leith justice, see the danger mandate, for a long time to forget the words of his life, but also that adults carry on. "(" The Analects of Confucius constitutional question ") in the Confucian view, a person who combines intelligence, inexpensive , Yong, Yi four kinds of quality, capacity, but also to "ritual" to regulate, refine, enrich, Germany is naturally a full, mature person. Even without such a person the whole Germany, but if they can think of that when the benefit should not be, when others are willing to pay with their lives in danger for help, do not forget the poor in the promise of others, can be considered a moral, mature person. For the "pay the price" moral righteousness Han, Confucianism is also a clear explanation of learning. Confucius said: "high ideals, no survival for victims of benevolence, there are killing themselves to pay the price." ("The Analects of Confucius Duke Ling of Wei"), Mencius said: "It is also my objectives, meaning have my objectives; the two can not have both , sacrifice and justice also. "(" Mencius ") appears in the study Confucianism, virtue and moral ideals are higher than the personal life of meaning and value. "Pay the price" is to practice the moral goal of consciously sacrificed their personal life behavior. In the Confucian life, usually refers to the family than the individual countries with a higher ethical and moral community at the expense of their own performance. Wen Tianxiang before execution, said, "well, saying pay the price, Meng said justice, although its meaning to do, so the kernel to read the books of sages, learned what is going on, now and then, perhaps that worthy." ("Song" Volume 418 "Wen Tianxiang Biography "), is a shining example. In the Confucian life, such hypothetical life situations, such a difficult life choices, does not always exist; but as a higher value of life, the realization of the meaning of life, such as Wen Tianxiang lighthouse-like peak is a moral and spiritual and a standing in the history of Confucian culture. Confucian "immortal" is a little early pioneer in the Confucian Shu Sun leopard articulated Ludaifu out: "It has Lide, followed by meritorious service, followed by Liyan, though eventually becoming waste, what is called immortality." ("Zuo Xianggong twenty-four years") Clearly, the Confucian idea of "immortality" does not mean a person's physical life, or die, "the soul is immortal", but refers to some kind of a person's virtue, or Utilitarian, or speech , has a unique and great value, to shelter future generations to benefit future generations, long but not bad. In other words, is a remarkable individual lives has been integrated into the collective Chinese culture and history to life, is always apparent in the collective life of the individual life. This is Confucianism, Confucian life in the highest positive value targets, the meaning of life; it, although not everyone can achieve, achieve, but it is part of the potential that everyone has the so-called "Everybody can be Yao and Shun "(" Mencius down "), are relentless pursuit can be.
Third, the experience of suffering. Suffering - everyone in life will encounter different places, feel the toil, trouble, unfortunately, usually seen as negative aspects of life, being used to challenge, deny, falsify secular meaning of life. Is represented by the most primitive Buddhism "Kudi" said the resolve of life is all the "bitter" in aggregation, and according to that "birth" of religious ideas. Confucianism is not the case, Confucius once said: "Love can not labor or Down? Zhong Yan, Hui almost can not?" ("The Analects of Confucius constitutional question") Mencius fully discussed more clearly: "Heaven will drop any so people, we must first suffer their aspirations, workers of their bones, their body skin hunger, depletion of their body, Line fu chaos, so tempted Ren Xing, they can not gain ... ... into the brush who can not be home, out of the invincible foreign patients, National constant death and then to know Hardships and died well also. "(" Mencius down ") study Confucianism hardship that life of hard work, not only can not get rid of a burden, but also the growth of human life, a necessary condition of life improved. Confucianism outset so thoroughly digest the nature of life, suffering with a negative stress in life to guide them to discover the brilliant success factors to be translated into a positive value of existence, interpreted as a fulfilling life realize the meaning of life in the process, it shows superior wisdom of Confucianism. Confucian life meaning of life becomes more broad space so rich: the meaning of life not only in ordinary family life, hope and responsibility in family, there was adults, pay the price, the noble pursuit of immortality and practice, you can even exist in the strong to experience life suffering. People in this life and in Confucianism the fullest, the basis for life and are very strong spiritual foundation sure, Confucian way of life construct has thus been remarkable success - we are still born and bred in that species of the Confucian way of life.
In the Yin and Zhou Dynasties were the original concept of religious and moral breakthrough, the Western Zhou Dynasty with the patriarchal concept of ethical factors in the enhancement and transformation, learning Confucianism formed their own ethical and moral qualities. In the subsequent historical development, the community is widely recognized as a characteristic of Confucianism gradually molded to construct a rational, secular way of life, and that this way of life of each person can feel, share life motivated, have a strong and well-being of the meaning of life. Confucianism as a cultural arena in the world to maintain its own characteristics, to maintain the vitality of stretching is not bad, this is the fundamental value of Confucianism.
Cui Dahua (by work unit: Henan Academy of Social Sciences)
