Confucianism

Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (K?ng F?z?, or K'ung-fu-tzu, lit. "Master Kong", 551–478 BC). It is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought that influenced the culture and history of East Asia. It might be considered a state religion of some East Asian countries, because of state promotion of Confucian philosophies.

Cultures and countries strongly influenced by Confucianism include mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Vietnam, as well as various territories settled predominantly by Chinese people, such as Singapore.

In Confucianism, human beings are teachable, improvable and perfectible through personal and communal endeavour especially including self-cultivation and self-creation. A main idea of Confucianism is the cultivation of virtue and the development of moral perfection. Confucianism holds that one should give up one's life, if necessary, either passively or actively, for the sake of upholding the cardinal moral values of ren and yi.^[1]

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1	Warring States Project A center and international contact point for research on China's classical period (the 05th through 03rd centuries), the turbulent era which ended in the military unification of the Chinese states in the year 0221. The Project's approach is based on	896
2	The Cult of Confucius - Images of the Temple of Culture history of the Chinese belief system and its enforcement of orthodoxy	889
3	Looking for Confucius An attractive and informative introduction to Confucius and available texts in English that is maintained by Thomas Carlson.	786
4	Confucius, Mencius and Xun-zi As education and literacy spread in China and scholars became influential as ministers of rulers, philosophers also began to flourish. In the late sixth century BC two of the greatest philosophers of all time emerged in China - Lao-zi, the founder of	931
5	Confucius Publishing specializing in publications related to Confucianism	905
6	Confucius and the Family of Man a site that delves into the role of the Chinese philosopher and his teachings	826
7	Confucius - K'ung-fu-tzu or Kongfuzi features Chinese characters and their meanings	1096
8	Confucianism Intro A simple introduction with links to other sites. Part of "The Spiritual Sanctuary" pages.	991
9	Confucianism: Founded by K'ung Fu Tzu Page detailing Confucianism, from ReligiousTolerance.org	962
10	Chinese Religiousness: A New Look at Godless Confucianism Classical Confucianism is at once a-theistic, and profoundly religious. It is a religion without a God; a human-centered religion that affirms the cumulative human experience itself.	902
11	Chinese Philosophy: Confucius A digestible overview	979
12	A Dialogue between Confucius and Dr. John Dewey Two great philosophers of education exchange ideas. The work of Dr. Lih-Ching Chen Wang.	2108