Difference between revisions of "Confucius"
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| − | + | It has been said that he was born in the small town of Tsu in the ancient state of LU (modern day Qufu in what is now the Chinese Province of Shantung). It is said that he was born in answer to his parent's prayers and so, he was given the surname, Kong (which means literally an utterance of thankfulness when prayers have been answered), his tabooed given name was Qiu, and his social name was Zhongni.(Riegel) | |
| + | It has been said that he never referred to himself in 1st person. It has been said that his father was a magistrate and soldier. It has been said that at the age of three, his father died, leaving him to grow up in poverty. It has been said that at the age of 22, he started the first private school in China, teaching his philosophy of ideal personal conduct, benevolence, and justice by law. It has been said that in his fifties, he became the Grand Official of Justice for the State of Lu. It has been said that after leaving that position, he spent the last 13 years of his life traveling around China teaching his philosophies. It has been said that he had 3,000 disciples. It has been said that he wrote the 5 great classics of China. | ||
| − | [[File: | + | Of himself it has been said (in the Analects) that he said, “At fifteen I was intent on learning; by thirty I was standing straight; by forty I was no longer confused; by fifty I knew heaven's commands; by sixty I was attuned; and at seventy, I could follow my heart's desires without transgressing what was right.” (Ebrey, p46) |
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| + | He lived between the years 551-479 BC, according to your modern calendar. He lived, and thought, and served and taught. And then he died. That is what they should have said about him. All else is questionable. Why do they insist on elaborating his life? He does not appreciate it. | ||
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| + | In his humble opinion, too much has been said by too many who knew too little. [[File:Confucius_The_teaching_Confucius_Portait_by_Wu_Daozi_Tang_Dynasty.jpg|200px|thumb|right|"The teaching Confucius" portrait by Wu Daozi. Photo of portrait by Louis le Grand. Click [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Confucius_Tang_Dynasty.jpg here] for original source.]] | ||
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| + | == His life == | ||
| + | He was born in Lu. He lived much of his life there. When he left his government position, | ||
| + | by most traditional accounts, he returned to Lu in 484 BC and spent the remainder of his life teaching, putting in order the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, and other ancient classics, as well as editing the Spring and Autumn Annals, The court chronicle of Lu. But, if you wish to understand him, perhaps the best way is to study his thoughts as recorded in the Analects. (Riegel) (Although, it is true that he did not say all that is attributed to him in that book. He had some overly enthusiastic disciples who added their own words to the book). | ||
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| + | == After his Death == | ||
| + | It is here (in the ages following his death) that he finds it hard to believe his disciples could have exaggerated so much. His home has been rebuilt as a temple![[File:Dacheng_Hall_photo_by_Gisling.JPG|200px|thumb|left|Dacheng Hall at Kong Miao in Qufu. photo by Gisling. Click [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dacheng_Hall.JPG here] for original source.]] His teachings, or those teachings attributed to him, have been the basis for most of China's governments since his day! In his life, so few would listen to him. In his death, he has achieved great renown. It is only by dying that he was able to achieve his goals. Perhaps it is time for him, for me, to start referring to myself in first person... | ||
Revision as of 06:19, 19 April 2012
It has been said that he was born in the small town of Tsu in the ancient state of LU (modern day Qufu in what is now the Chinese Province of Shantung). It is said that he was born in answer to his parent's prayers and so, he was given the surname, Kong (which means literally an utterance of thankfulness when prayers have been answered), his tabooed given name was Qiu, and his social name was Zhongni.(Riegel) It has been said that he never referred to himself in 1st person. It has been said that his father was a magistrate and soldier. It has been said that at the age of three, his father died, leaving him to grow up in poverty. It has been said that at the age of 22, he started the first private school in China, teaching his philosophy of ideal personal conduct, benevolence, and justice by law. It has been said that in his fifties, he became the Grand Official of Justice for the State of Lu. It has been said that after leaving that position, he spent the last 13 years of his life traveling around China teaching his philosophies. It has been said that he had 3,000 disciples. It has been said that he wrote the 5 great classics of China.
Of himself it has been said (in the Analects) that he said, “At fifteen I was intent on learning; by thirty I was standing straight; by forty I was no longer confused; by fifty I knew heaven's commands; by sixty I was attuned; and at seventy, I could follow my heart's desires without transgressing what was right.” (Ebrey, p46)
He lived between the years 551-479 BC, according to your modern calendar. He lived, and thought, and served and taught. And then he died. That is what they should have said about him. All else is questionable. Why do they insist on elaborating his life? He does not appreciate it.
In his humble opinion, too much has been said by too many who knew too little.
His life
He was born in Lu. He lived much of his life there. When he left his government position, by most traditional accounts, he returned to Lu in 484 BC and spent the remainder of his life teaching, putting in order the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, and other ancient classics, as well as editing the Spring and Autumn Annals, The court chronicle of Lu. But, if you wish to understand him, perhaps the best way is to study his thoughts as recorded in the Analects. (Riegel) (Although, it is true that he did not say all that is attributed to him in that book. He had some overly enthusiastic disciples who added their own words to the book).
After his Death
It is here (in the ages following his death) that he finds it hard to believe his disciples could have exaggerated so much. His home has been rebuilt as a temple!
His teachings, or those teachings attributed to him, have been the basis for most of China's governments since his day! In his life, so few would listen to him. In his death, he has achieved great renown. It is only by dying that he was able to achieve his goals. Perhaps it is time for him, for me, to start referring to myself in first person...