Confucianism - Sample Questions

1. The name Confucius was invented by Jesuit priests. What is his real name and what is the real title that was westernized as Confucius? His real name is Chu-Kun (spelling) and the real title that was westernized was Kung-fu-tzu. 2. What is the Chinese name fro Confucianism and what is its meaning? Ju-Chiao, which means teaching of the scholars 3. How is Confucius different from other founders of religions? He considered himself a transmitter of doctrine, not a writer of doctrine 4. Confucius and the scholars who followed him were stewards of Chinese tradition, particularly that written in the Five Classics. List the five (English or Chinese names) and describe any three. Book of changes o A book of divination that expresses the ancient metaphysical vision combined with numerology and ethical insight. Book of History o A text that expresses a political vision, tying together metaphysics, religion and ethics Book of Poetry o A poetic vision of the good life, consisting of Chou dynasty song lyrics. Book of Rites o A social vision that states and explains the myriad of Li Book of spring and Autumn Animals o A text that expresses an historical vision of events in the province of Lu from the eighth through the fifth centuries B.C.E. 5. Due to Confuciuss role of awakening the people of China to their responsibilities, he is often referred to as the __Wooden_______ __bell___ of China. Fill in the blanks. Where does this phrase originate? Originates from the Glimpses of Confucius in the Analects of Confucius. 6. When was Confucius born and when did he die? He was born in 551 B.C.E and died in 479 B.C.E. 7. We know little about Confuciuss life. Nevertheless, the Analects do provide us with a few autobiographical statements. According to the Analects, how old was Confucius when he decided to focus on learning, and how old was he when he solved all the perplexities of life? Set his heart upon learning when he was fifteen, and he had solved all the perplexities of life at age forty/ 8. After Confucius died, disciples collected his sayings. What is the name of that book? The founders words: Analects of Confucius

9. Approximately how many years after Confuciuss death was Mencius born? According to tradition who taught Mencius? About 108 years after Confuciuss death, Mencius was bon. According to tradition, Mencius is thought to have studied under Confuciuss grandson. 10.According to Mencius, The sense of ______compassion______ is the beginning of humanity. Fill in the blank then explain Menciuss view of human nature by providing his prime example. 11. Hsun Tzu, born 8 years before Menciuss death, had a view of human nature different from Mencius. Explain his view and how it could have developed from Confuciuss statement: By nature men are pretty much alike; it is ________ and _______ that set them apart (Analect 17:2). Fill in the blanks. 12. There seems to be a love/hate relationship between Emperors and Confucians. Explain how Chin exemplifies this. 13.Tung Chung-Shu furthered to cosmological beliefs of Confucianism by bringing in traditional Chinese beliefs about yin and yang, the five elements, etc. His greatest influence on Confucianism, however, is tied in with his relationship to Wu-Ti. What did Tung Chung-Shu accomplish in 136 BCE? Had an influence on Wu-Ti that made him perceive the wisdom of the idea of a Confucian state ideology and officially proclaimed Confucianism as such. It meant the Wu Ching(the five classics) were to become the core curriculum for all levels of education. 14.When was the approximate beginning of Neo-Confucianism? (Give approximate date.) Who was the most outstanding figure among the NeoConfucians? The approximate beginning of Neo-Confucianism was 960-1279 C.E. Han Yu. 15. In 819, as Neo-Confucianism was beginning, Han Yu challenged the emperor to do away with Buddhism in a dramatic fashion. Give the detail s of Han Yus petition to the emperor. Pg 278 16.According to Han Yu, who was the next true Confucian Scholar after Mencius? What concept does this exemplify? Han Yu was the next great scholar. Orthodox transmission is exemplified. 17.In Confucianism it is essential to act in such a way as to maintain harmony in the universe. This is done through proper etiquette, morals, laws, etc. What are these proper behavior patterns called? Li 18.Why is the family so important in Confucianism? Transmission of tradition, and tradition is most important Place to achieve Jen through Li

19. What does the Doctrine of the Mean tell us about our nature? It refers to the equilibrium with the universe and the individual. Link between everything because everything has the great ultimate. Feelings can through us out of wack. 20. According to Chu Hsi what is the relationship between the principle of a thing and its chi? Chi is the physical actuality of a thing. While principle is the essance of the thing. Principal makes me human, not cat. Chi makes me look how I look. Principle cannot be separated form chi 21.Describe a persons progress toward full comprehension of Tai Chi, the Great Ultimate. What are the four stages? List and describe. 22. If all human beings are manifestation of the Great Ultimate, why is each human distinct, different? We are all the full complete manifestation of the great ultimate, but people vary according to the density of chi 23. Is Jen a feeling, an ability or both? Explain. falling in love Nobody ever falls into Jen. It is not a feeling that comes and goes. It is something you work for. Jen is not a feeling, it is an ability. We call all achive gen, Jen refers to anything that is mortal. 24.What is the best method for achieving jen? Practicing Li is the best way to achive Jen. Li is doing the proper thing and continually doing Li will lead to Jen. 25.What are the Five Great Relationships of Confucianism? Father-son Elder brother-younger brother Husband-wife Elder-junior Ruler-subject 26. A son obeying his father. A subject obeying his ruler. These two examples of what li? Five great relationships 27.According to Confucianism, what is the ideal situation for developing jen? Marriage 28. The contemporary western romantic notion of a love that leads to marriage would be criticized by Confucianists. Why? Is love not important in a Confucian marriage? Because you can fall out of love if you fell into it. Love is important in a Confucian marriage, but it is something that is developed through Li. 29.What is the worst thing that a wife can do according to Mencius? Not have children, specifically a male child

30. How would a Confucian respond to the growth and improvement of such facilities as homes for the elderly in the United States? What key principle would their response demonstrate? They would not like it. The key principle would be filialpiety , which says that children should take care of there parents. 31. Although Confucians tend to emphasize this world over the world of spirits or the world of the dead, they still permit ancestor worship. They do so because ancestor worship is considered a natural extension of which li? 32.Ever since Confucius, Confucian scholars have had a lot to say about how a government should be run. If you were to ask Confucius the following question how would he respond: If a government had food, weapons and the confidence of the common people, and it had to let go of two of those, which should it let go of and why? 33. Beginning during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), it was believed that morally the mandate of heaven had passed to the uncrowned king. Who was this uncrowned king? Confucius 34. In 59 CE, under Emperor Ming, sacrifices to Confucius became official and widespread for the first time. Where were these early sacrifices to Confucius performed? At all institutions 35.At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, c. 630 CE, temples to Confucius were built in all the districts of the kingdom. By 657 CE a special title was granted Confucius which has remained to this day. What is that title? Perfect sage 36. Everyone should seek to become a chung-tzu. What does this mean and how do you do it?