Confucius (770-481 BC)

Confucius (770-481 BC)

                Confucius (K'ung - fu - tzu or Kongfuzi) (770-481 BC), according to tradition was born on September 28 in 551 BC in the state of Lu, located in the Shandong Peninsula in northeast China and died in 479 BC. It says "tradition" because it is difficult to distinguish between the Confucius Life story factual and legendary. Confucius was a famous Chinese thinker and educator, comparable with Socrates in the West, which developed the social and political philosophy which is often regarded as a basic premise of China next. He is the founder of "Ru" schools of thought and philosophy of China was then called Confucianism, comes from the tradition and recorded fragments of an ancient text, Lunyu. One of the most famous concept is often cited as follows: "Do not treat others what you yourself do not want to be treated like that. "As mentioned, it is difficult to trace the history of Confucius as myth and legend has gone far beyond the coordinates of fact about the history of life. One legend says that Confucius was born in answer to his parents on their prayers. This is evident from its name, which means that Kong grateful for answered prayer. Regardless of fact or fiction, mostly about what we know about Confucius Analects and transcription came from another, and a record of his thoughts and the events were mostly written during the Period of Warring States Section (403-221 BC) where there is a struggle ongoing between the smaller countries in China to regain the strength and power Zhou. In addition, the famous text History Note Court (Shiji), written by Sima Qian (145 - c.85 BC), who is a historian of the Han dynasty, wrote many stories of the life and teachings of Confucius. The latter states Confucius as a descendant of the royal family of Song, but he grew up in the small state of Lu because his grandfather had to escape from the chaos that surrounded the state of Song. Lu said his life experience poverty as historical writing has stated that his father died when he was three years old and she was raised by her mother, who had to quickly do a variety of odd jobs just to make ends meet. Confucius apparently married a young girl named Qi Guan, who later gave birth to a son named Kong Li.

                His educational background is not clear unless the tradition that he has learned to Lao Dan, a Taoist Master, as well as to Chang Hong and Xiang, respectively in the science of music and harps. Clearly, education or assessment is very important for Confucius, the Analects stated that he once said, "He who learns but does not think will lose. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger. "The Analects were written during the era of the Warring States, is said to reveal the dialogue between Confucius and his disciples in which he delivered his knowledge, and may also develop ideas or the way (Dao) of the ancient Zhou. He is known to have said that he was just a transmitter, not a maker, and he has a passion for having the wisdom of the wise as Zhou, from which teachings are based then transmitted from. It should be noted that when the fall of the Empire Zhou, a variety of small countries began competing for power, so that the situation seems to affect pemikidran Confucius.

                Confucius gather followers or group of students, whose numbers have been exaggerated, according to scientists. There are claims that he has as many as three thousand followers, although more accurate is a note saying that his followers were seventy two (although this figure is also suspicious because it is said to be the magic number and age of his death). Whatever the facts, open Confucius to teach all people, no matter their class. His method was never teach by preaching, but rather provide a motivation, so as people chatted, so that students will have to answer for himself. Confucius said, "I just pass on knowledge to those who are passionate and enlightening the people is strong. If I lifted one side, and my students can not come back to me with three other people, I did not continue my studies. "

                He teaches, as he learned, emphasis on morality, government, conversation, talk, language, and art. He focuses on the so-called Six Knowledge: archery, calligraphy, trains, arithmetic, music, and ritual. Of the various subjects that are considered very important morality above everything else. Through their understanding and practice of true morality, everything can be achieved, aligned, and repaired. This is revealed in a lesson well-known in which a student asked if there was one word that could guide a person in life, jawabann the master is "reciprocity" (shu), and the 'answer' it is a suggestion that is followed by the phrase pointed out, "Do not to force something to others that you are not able to do it. "A moral education, ideally providing someone a building block to empower themselves, harmony, and ethical conduct, which can maintain and restore the value to society (something considered missing in government Zhou). And for Confucius stated in the Book of Songs, poetry, people can find the symbols of learning are important as morality.

                Aesthetics have very many important elements in Confucian philosophy. Aesthetics was beautiful and good, and in the form of poetry can produce good behavior in a way that must be learned men. It is one of the key elements for the idea in order to achieve harmony. The rules included a special relationship with the spirits and serve. He stated that he had a special relationship with Tian, ​​god Zhou, who lives in the sky or heaven. He acknowledged the change of status and relationship from time to time, before dealing with Zhou, and recognizes the dilemma of 'existential' in the amendment, but acknowledges that man is subject to the law established by Tian, ​​although he is a man who has the freedom and responsible for actions. Therefore, there is a human moral aesthetics mingle socially to be creating harmony, which can be done through the "li" (ritual politeness). People should learn and do things the right way and at the right time, to achieve a greater good.

                Through the "li", one can cultivate and master ideas, ren (affection, or love someone else), a core component of his thought. In addition, one must also self-deprecating, true to themselves, in order to take care of others, and self-discipline not as a form of self-tapping, but as a way to accommodate yourself and others. Those were the things that must be done in practice li, and not just as an obligation, but rather as a sincere devotion.

                The importance of the attitude or behavior is also an integral part of implementing political life. He found that older people and educated people should be respected, because it is indeed best practice of "ren" is through devotion and respect for elders. No ruling that essentially "better" than the farmers. The rules that apply to the public must also be enforced for the government. one should exercise yourself by loving others.

                People who are ruled by moral force can be compared to the North Star, it occupies its place and all the stars pay respect to him. In addition, the system of government must follow the hierarchy, as does the idea li in a family setting, and the hierarchy should be enforced and respected collectively by complying with the order harmonics "li" and "ren". It uses the name Zhengming, in which the principle forms of government have the right name and appropriate behavior. "Good government consists of the ruler as ruler, minister, minister, father as a father, and a child as a child. "

                Above all, the ideal government that depends on the "de" or virtue. It is a moral force that combines the implementation of the "li" and the presence of "ren". The practices in this context rather than pomp but a genuine manifestation of virtue as the effects of government practices. Confucius stated, "If people are led by laws, and uniformity among them cultivated with punishment, they will try to avoid punishment and no shame. If they are led by virtue, and uniformity among cultivated through the practice of ritual politeness, they will have a sense of shame and come to you of their own accord. "Virtue and metaphorical lead on their own accord.

                Confucius himself was not formally involved in politics until the age of fifty. Under the administration of the state Ding Lu, Confucius for the first time appointed Minister of Public Works, and then he held the position of Minister of Crime. Apparently, he was forced to leave his post in the government Ding, as opposed to a noble family Lu or may conflict with the King himself - the reason is not clear. Some say that he was exiled, and was traveling with some of his disciples through other neighboring countries Cai, Chen, Chu, Song, and Wei. He apparently tried to find a position in the ministry dialaluinya countries, but to no avail. In 484 BC, he returned to his home state of Lu and devoted the rest of his life to teaching.

                The Analects provide most of the information to us about the history of the life of Confucius. If Confucius declared himself as a mere transmitter, scholars argue that he is not only a transmitter, but also to enlighten with new discourse. His teachings are evolutionary, radical, and enlightening. Legacy have a lasting impact and far-reaching in the eastern and western traditions. He is a remarkable figure in the history and in legend, presence is magical in the history of Chinese thought. The age of death, seventy-two, a magic number and reveal uncertainty about what is right and what is myth. At the end of the 4th century, Mencius said of Confucius, "Since human beings come into this world, there has never been anyone greater than Confucius."