The idea of вЂњ filial piety,вЂќ or devotion to family, is key to Confucius thought. Rituals in Confucianism were designed to bring about this respectful attitude and create a sense of community within a group.

He thought that people are essentially good yet may have strayed from the appropriate forms of conduct. Confucius believed in the importance of education in order to create this virtuous character. This moral character is achieved through the virtue of ren, or вЂњhumanity,вЂќ which leads to more virtuous behaviours, such as respect, altruism, and humility. Natural disasters and conflict are the result of straying from the ancient teachings. The main idea of Confucianism is the importance of having a good moral character, which can then affect the world around that person through the idea of вЂњcosmic harmony.вЂќ If the emperor has moral perfection, his rule will be peaceful and benevolent. This debate remains unresolved and many people refer to Confucianism as both a religion and a philosophy. However, there are temples of Confucianism, which are places where important community and civic rituals happen. There are no Confucian gods, and Confucius himself is worshipped as a spirit rather than a god. Yet, Confucianism also began as a revival of an earlier religious tradition. Confucianism is best understood as an ethical guide to life and living with strong character. There is debate over if Confucianism is a religion. The golden rule of Confucianism is вЂњDo not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.вЂќ Confucianism believes in ancestor worship and human-centered virtues for living a peaceful life.

His thoughts on ethics, good behavior, and moral character were written down by his disciples in several books, the most important being the Lunyu. Confucius was a philosopher and teacher who lived fromВ 551 to 479 B.C.E. Confucianism is a philosophy and belief system from ancient China, which laid the foundation for much of Chinese culture.

Civilization 6 best religion beliefs