Confucianism

Confucianism - 500 BCE

K'ung Fu Tzu (Confucius) was born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu in China. He traveled throughout China giving advice to its rulers and teaching. His teachings and writings dealt with individual morality and ethics, and the proper exercise of political power. He stressed the following values:

• Li: ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc.
• Hsiao: love among family members
• Yi: righteousness
• Xin: honesty and trustworthiness
• Jen: benevolence towards others; the highest Confucian virtue
• Chung: loyalty to the state, etc.

Unlike most religions, Confucianism is primarily an ethical system with rituals at important times during one's lifetime. The most important periods recognized in the Confucian tradition are birth, reaching maturity, marriage, and death.