Thinking: Reading Comprehension Task: Read the following article, and answer the questions in full complete sentences. Confucianism Confucianism is a religion based on the teachings of Confucius. It was founded in China around the 6th/5th century, BCE, and today as nearly six million adherents. Unlike many religions which are characterized byspecific traditional practices, Confucianism has no practices; rather, it concerns itself with ethical principles.Prior to the birth of its founder, Confucius, China was ruled by the Chou Empire for 500 years. When it became threatened by civil unrest, which in turn threatened the values of the traditional Chinese culture, Confucius saw this time of ideological crisis as an opportunity to reinforce declining societal values. Raised in poverty, Confucius was a passionate learner, and became a master of the Six Arts: archery, calligraphy, computation, music, chariot-driving, and ritual. He held several minor government posts and hoped for a career in politics. But though loyal to the King, his moral rectitude was distasteful to the king’s inner circle, who preferred to focus on — and influence the king towards — a more sensuous life. Though his political desires were frustrated, he nonetheless acquired a great following of students.The main principle of Confucianism, ren, means humaneness or benevolence, and excellence of character is in accordance to ritual norms, loyalty to one’s true nature, reciprocity, and filial piety, which together constitute virtue. Confucius believed in the cumulative power of culture, and felt that there was significance in the fact that rituals such as the ancestral cult, reverence for Heaven, and mourning ceremonies, had survived for centuries. He did not see himself as advancing anything new; rather he championed the conservation of the cultural values and social norms which had sustained the Chou dynasty. Thus, Confucius cannot rightly be said to have “founded” Confucianism, but merely breathed new life into beliefs and principles that had already been in existence.The sacred scripture of Confucianism is called the Analects, and is thought to have been compiled by Confucius’ disciples. It is based on the sayings of Confucius, and has been preserved in both oral tradition and as a written document. It is comparable to the Dialogs of Plato with regards to its ability to capture the spirit of Confucius, the teacher. In it, Confuciusdescribes himself as “the sort of man who forgets to eat when he engages himself in vigorous pursuit of learning, who is so full of joy that he forgets his worries, and who does not notice that old age is coming on.” (7:18) Questions: 1. Is Confucius the founder of Confucianism? 2. Describe the practices of Confucianism. 3.What political event occurred that paved the way for Confucianism? 4. Why was Confucius unsuccessful in securing a political career? 5. What is the main principle of Confucianism? 6. What is the sacred scripture of Confucianism called and who wrote it?
Thinking: Reading Comprehension
Task: Read the following article, and answer the questions in full complete
sentences.
Confucianism
Confucianism is a religion based on the teachings of Confucius. It was
founded in China around the 6th/5th century, BCE, and today as nearly
six million adherents. Unlike many religions which are characterized byspecific traditional practices, Confucianism has no practices; rather, it
concerns itself with ethical principles.Prior to the birth of its founder, Confucius, China was ruled by the Chou
Empire for 500 years. When it became threatened by civil unrest, which in
turn threatened the values of the traditional Chinese culture, Confucius
saw this time of ideological crisis as an opportunity to reinforce declining
societal values. Raised in poverty, Confucius was a passionate learner,
and became a master of the Six Arts: archery, calligraphy, computation,
music, chariot-driving, and ritual. He held several minor government posts
and hoped for a career in politics. But though loyal to the King, his moral
rectitude was distasteful to the king’s inner circle, who preferred to focus
on — and influence the king towards — a more sensuous life. Though his
political desires were frustrated, he nonetheless acquired a great
following of students.The main principle of Confucianism, ren, means humaneness or
benevolence, and excellence of character is in accordance to ritual
norms, loyalty to one’s true nature, reciprocity, and filial piety, which
together constitute virtue. Confucius believed in the cumulative power of
culture, and felt that there was significance in the fact that rituals such as
the ancestral cult, reverence for Heaven, and mourning ceremonies, had
survived for centuries. He did not see himself as advancing anything new;
rather he championed the conservation of the cultural values and social
norms which had sustained the Chou dynasty. Thus, Confucius cannot
rightly be said to have “founded” Confucianism, but merely breathed
new life into beliefs and principles that had already been in existence.The sacred scripture of Confucianism is called the Analects, and is
thought to have been compiled by Confucius’ disciples. It is based on the
sayings of Confucius, and has been preserved in both oral tradition and as
a written document. It is comparable to the Dialogs of Plato with regards
to its ability to capture the spirit of Confucius, the teacher. In it, Confuciusdescribes himself as “the sort of man who forgets to eat when he engages
himself in vigorous pursuit of learning, who is so full of joy that he forgets his
worries, and who does not notice that old age is coming on.” (7:18)
Questions:
1. Is Confucius the founder of Confucianism?
2. Describe the practices of Confucianism.
3.What political event occurred that paved the way for Confucianism?
4. Why was Confucius unsuccessful in securing a political career?
5. What is the main principle of Confucianism?
6. What is the sacred scripture of Confucianism called and who wrote it?
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