Hannah Dodds

Confucianism is not only a philosophy religion it is also a way of life.

Confusion teachings are not centered on god, heaven, or the idea that we must
escape this world as the majority of all other world religions are. His teachings only
focus on this world and the struggle to create (cheng) a way (dao) for living in this
ever changing (yi) world. The main question presented in Confucianism is how can
we maximize, sustain, and nurture the human existence.

One of the most prominent themes in Confucianism is Ren. Ren refers to a

oneness or harmony between humans. Emotions (qing) are the most important
aspect of Ren. Confucius laid out the basic relationships in which an individual
begins to build Ren, a balance of all emotions, which Confusions equates to love.
These relationships are father and son, husband and wife, brothers, friends, and
king and ministers. Confucius said that Ren was a natural result of these
relationships.

Confucius believed one should attempt to reach perfection by living a

virtuous life, possessing noble character, and enacting their duty with unselfishness
and sincerity. The universal virtues according to Confucius are wisdom,
benevolence, and fortitude. When asked of knowledge he answered, “It is to know al
men.” When asked the meaning of benevolence he answered, “ it is to love all men.”
Confucius also equates five characteristics to perfect virtue, gravity, generosity of
soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

Confucius put great emphasis on the building of character, purity of heart,

and conduct. He believed that character was priceless and considered it to be one of
the highest virtues. Ritual was also held in high regard by Confucius. “Look at
nothing in defiance of ritual, listen to nothing in defiance of ritual, speak nothing in
defiance of ritual, never stir hand or foot in defiance of ritual,” (lunyu 12.1). He
taught that through ritual we are able to reconcile our desires wit those of our
family and community. Ritual was not to be regarded as habit, but rather they
should be practiced with complete sincerity and devotion.

Confucius is also the source of what is considered by many to be the

universal “Golden Rule.” “ What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others;
since you yourself desire standing then help others achieve it, since you yourself
desire success then help others attain it,” (lunyu 12.2,6.30). This concept of putting
others first is evident throughout Confucian teaching.

Christianity is the youngest of the three Abrahamic religions, the founder

Jesus Christ who is proclaimed as the Son of God, lived around approximately 30 BC –
3AD. Christianity’s origins are rooted in love. According to biblical scholars Jesus
came to earth to liberate us from fear, guilt, and ego through his love and the love of
the Holy Spirit and God. The core concepts in Christianity are incarnation,
atonement, and trinity. Incarnation is the revelation that Jesus was at the same time
wholly human and wholly god. With this understanding God takes on a new image,
in the past God was seen as almost an almighty king, but with this understanding
God takes on the role of caregiver. Atonement is the root meaning of reconciliation.
This means that through atonement man is liberated from sin. Sin is the dividing
factor that keeps man from God so by eliminating this barrier we achieve at-one-
meant with God. God sent his only son to live and die on earth as a payment for our
sins so that all men may be saved. “In Christ God was reconciling the word to
himself,”(2 Corinthians 5:19). Man is ultimately drawn to selfish actions; through
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross he built a bridge so that we might have a chance at
paradise. The trinity is a complicated concept, accentually it means that god, son,
and Holy Spirit are one entity yet re still distinct from each other. At the center of
this trinity is love.

Christianity and Confucianism have many things in common. For one they
both preach the golden rule. Also all of the relational aspects of Confucianism, such
as how one should interact with parents, elders, and sibling also how ones character
should develop are all evident in the Christian beatitudes. Confucianism is all about
harmony between individuals and doing on to others, as you would have them do
upon you. These are also the essence behind Christianity.