An Introduction to Confucianism

Introduction to Religion

by Xinzhong Yao

Taking into account the long history and wide range of Confucian Studies, this book introduces Confucianism - initiated in China by Confucius (551 BC–479 BC) - primarily as a philosophical and religious tradition. It pays attention to Confucianism in both the West and the East, focussing on the tradition's doctrines, schools, rituals, sacred places and terminology, but also stressing the adaptations, transformations and new thinking taking place in modern times. Xinzhong Yao presents Confucianism as a tradition with many dimensions and as an ancient tradition with contemporary appeal. This gives the reader a richer and clearer view of how Confucianism functioned in the past and of what it means in the present. A Chinese scholar based in the West, he draws together the many strands of Confucianism in a style accessible to students, teachers, and general readers interested in one of the world's major religious traditions.

Genres: Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction, China, History, Textbooks

372 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[David the Ñoldo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great primer to the history and evolution of Confucianism and its many schools of thought, as well as its interaction with Daoism, Buddhism, Christianity, and modernity. Overall, an excellent source to begin one's study of the rich and diverse tradition that is Confucianism.

One of my only (minor) issues was the paucity of analysis of Confucian historiography, or the influence of Confucianism on Chinese historiography.

[Caomhghain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much a textbook and not the most inspiring book on the subject. Unfortunately Confucianism needs a lot of sympathy to be explained well and while this book gives the facts one gets little impression of why Confucianism has been an enormous influence for more than a thousand years in China, Korea and Japan. Of course perhaps Confucianism is something you grow up with, it is imbued in your culture.

[Bubbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of the three books I have recently read about Confucianism this one has been the best. It is academic but also not suitable for total beginners to this subject, in my opinion (but I have not yet found a book that is*), yet it provides a good understanding of the principles of Confucianism and its history from its inception pretty much to the present day. However, in the final chapter, the date of the Opium Wars is incorrect - they occurred in the mid-19th century, not the 20th - and if this is wrong what else is?

*Edit: See Confucius and Confucianism: The Essentials by Lee Dian Rainey - it is definitely more suitable for beginners

[L'Apprenti Confucéen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent work done by one of the expert of the domain. Very clear information with explanations of the meanings of chinese words and concepts such as "Ren", "Li" or "Yi". It also gives a deep historical explanation of how Confucianism (scholars school) developped from ritual experts to what we currently know as Confucianism.

[Billie Pritchett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on Confucianism. I hope it's not the best because it is a little abstruse and technical at times. What's good about it is that it begins from the earliest times of Confucius and then carries throughout the whole Confucian tradition, up to the 21st century. Author Xinzhong Yao is really good at showing the reader the different ways in which Confucianism changed over time. If I were to give you the elevator pitch view of Confucianism, it'd be this. Confucianism teaches that there's a deep spiritual connection between Heaven, Earth, and human beings and that this connection can be cultivated whenever people obey the correct Way, act virtuously, and cultivate the right kind of character. The correct Way basically means acknowledging the appropriate rights and responsibilities, which Confucians take to be respect for elders and parents and for other authority figures. Acting virtuously means cultivating love, benevolence, and humaneness, and following the Negative Golden: Don't do unto others what you wouldn't want done to yourself. Cultivating the right kind of character means pursuing a life of self-edification and scholarship. According to Confucianism, a person should always be trying to correct him- or herself and also spend life dedicated to the love of learning. The life of the Scholar is the highest form of life, say the Confucians.

The only downside to the book is that it focuses mainly on the development of Confucianism in China, which makes sense since Confucianism initially developed in China and was in part a response to the social conditions in the country. I wouldn't recommend anyone to read the book if they would like to know about the response to Confucianism in Korea or Japan. That said, still glad I read it.

[Kristin Doneen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book may be academically challenging. If you like history, then you may really get into it though. You can "Look Inside" it through amazon.com if you'd like to preview it.

[Lothar · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a rather scholarly read although it did present the concepts of Confucianism to some degree of decency.