Confucius

1. 孔子 Confucius I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

2. Who Was He? • Chinese Philosopher from the Hundred Schools of Thought period • Born 551 BC in what is now the Shandong province • Raised in poverty by his mother • At age 53 he became the justice minster • Died at age 71-73 around 480 BC

3. His Teachings • Emphasis on self exemplification over strict rules • His teachings emphasized self-cultivation, emulation of moral exemplars, and the attainment of skilled judgment • He presented himself as a “Transmitter who invented nothing” • Greatest emphasis on study • Humans should value others over property

4. Respect • Born at the beginning of Hundred Schools of Thought philosophic movement • His teachings gained following during the Han and Tang dynasties • Teaching became Confucianism which is followed religiously in china to this day

5. Confucian Temples • Temple dedicated to his memory and to those who carry on the teachings on Confucianism • There are temple in China, Taiwan, Viet Nam, Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia • No images in temples, just spirit tables • Debate over whether temples are for the Confucian teachings or the man himself

6. Interesting facts • He was born into a military family • Father died when he was 3 • Married and had kids at age 19 • Mother died when he was 23 • Returned home from traveling china at age 68 • Spent last years at home teaching disciples