International Bulletin of Theology & Civilization (IBTC) Vol. 2 No. 4 (2020) Confucianism’s Literature Iqra Aziz University of Lahore Introduction of Confucianism‘s Literature Meaning of the Literature:- . Literature means, written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit. Books and writings published on a particular subject. Definition:- Literature is a group of works of art made up of words. Most are written, but some are passed on by word of mouth. Literature usually means works of poetry and prose that are especially well written. There are many different kinds of literature, such as poetry, plays, or novels.1 Brief Intro of Confucianism:- Confucianism is a way of life founded by Confucius (551-749 BC) who was a Chinese sage and wise man. It Has Traditionally been the substance of learning ,the source of values, and the social code of Chinese as well as a religion and philosophy.Confucianism may be understood as an all-encompassing way of thinking and living that entails ancestor reverence and a profound human-centred religiousness.2 1 https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature 2 https://www.britannica.com/topic/Confucianism 29 Literature ( The Sacred Writings) Beliefs and practices of Confucianism are based on ancient Chinese Texts. According to Yale University, the sacred texts of Confucianism are five books that legend states Confucius wrote. Although Confucianism isn't strictly a religion, it does have a number of prominent texts, considered by many followers, to be sacred. According to the "Ancient History Encyclopedia," Confucius was an ancient Chinese philosopher, living in the 6th Century BCE. He made it his life's mission to bring peace, harmony, and enlightenment to his students and to the world. However, it is unknown whether the texts often credited to Confucius were, in fact, written by him, or whether they were written by his students, after his death. Traditionally, it was thought that Confucius himself had compiled or edited the texts of the Five Classics. From the time of the Western Han dynasty, most Confucian scholars believed that Confucius re-collected and edited the prior works, thereby “fixing” the versions of the ancient writings which became the Classics. In the twentieth century, many Chinese scholars still held to this tradition. For quite different reasons, mainly having to do with modern textual scholarship, a greater number of twentieth century scholars both in China and in other countries hold that Confucius had nothing to do with editing the classics, much less writing them. In any case, it is undisputed that for most of the last 2,000 years, Confucius was believed to have either written or edited these classics. 3 The principles of Confucianism, which the texts teach, are concerned with morality and ethics. It theorizes that moral harmony is directly related to cosmic 3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Books_and_Five_Classics 30 harmony, and teaches that those who rule or teach, should lead by example, with acts of benevolence, and without the use of force. The five central principles of Confucianism, which are taught in the sacred texts are benevolence, righteousness, observance of rites, moral wisdom, and faith. Confucianism encourages humans to practice these five traits to work toward moral harmony and cosmic harmony. 4 Five Classics and four books (Wujing & Si shu):- Confucius systematically organized his teaching material into six parts, which later became the fouding scripture, Six Classics. Among the Six Classics, the legendary Classic of Music was lost under the reign of First Qin Emperor. Thus we have only Five Classics, that is Classic of Poetry (Shi Jing), the Book of Documents (Shu Jing), the Book of Rites (Li Ji), the Book of Changes (Yi Jing), and the Spring and Autumn Annals (Chun Qiu).5 The Five Classics (wujing) and Four Books (si shu) collectively create the foundation of Confucianism. The Five Classics and Four Books were the basis of the civil examination in imperial China and can be considered the Confucian canon. The Four Books are comprised of the Doctrine of the Mean, the Great Learning, Mencius, and the Analects. From the Han to the early Song, the Five Classics grew into thirteen classics. In the early Song, however, scholars focused on the original Five Classics again. By the mid-Song, however, the Analects, Mencius, Great Learning, and Doctrine of the Mean began gaining importance and by the early fourteenth century, the Four Book were the texts for the civil examinations.6 So, there are four books and five classics in the Basic Confucianism Literature. The Five Classics are: 4 https://www.reference.com/world-view/sacred-texts-confucianism-c607bf348a4eb17 5 http://bs.dayabook.com/five-classics/yi-jing-the-book-of-changes 6 http://academics.hamilton.edu/asian_studies/home/culttemp/sitepages/fiveclassics.html 31 1.Shu Ching (Classic of History) - collection of documents and speeches dating from the Later Han Dynasty (23-220 CE) 2.Shih Ching (Classic of Odes) - collection of 300 poems and songs from the early Chou Dynasty (1027-402 BC) 3.I Ching (Classic of Changes) - collection of texts on divination based on a set of 64 hexagrams that reflect the relationship between Yin and Yang in nature and society 4.Ch'un Ching (Spring and Autumn Annals) - extracts from the history of the state of Lu 722-484, said to be compiled by Confucius 5.Li Ching (Classic of Rites) - consists of three books on the Li (Rites of Propriety) The Four Books are: 1.Lun Yu (Analects) of Confucius 2.Chung Yung (Doctrine of the Mean) 3.Ta Hsueh (Great Learning) 4.Meng Tzu (Mencius) The Five Classics Book of Documents: The Shu Ching A collection of documents and speeches alleged to have been written by rulers and officials of the early Zhou period and before. It is possibly the oldest Chinese narrative, was written down 32 during the Han dynasty (23-220 C.E.) and may date from the 6th century B.C. It includes examples of early Chinese prose. The Book of Documents is a compilation of 58 chapters detailing the events of ancient China. The Book of Documents tells the deeds of the early sage-kings Yao and Shun. These narratives are influential in the development of the understanding of a sage. The compilation also includes the history of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. The Book of Documents is often considered the first narrative history of ancient China.7 It is related in the Analects that Confucius, when asked why he did not take part in government, responded by citing a passage from the ancient Shujing (“Classic of History”), “Simply by being a good son and friendly to his brothers a man can exert an influence upon government!” to show that what a person does in the confines of his home is politically significant (2:21). Rulers should begin by rectifying their own conduct; that is, they are to be examples who govern by moral leadership and exemplary teaching rather than by force. Government’s responsibility is not only to provide food and security but also to educate the people. Confucius defined the process of becoming human as being able to “discipline yourself and return to ritual” (12:1).8 Book of Odes: The shih Ching The Book of Odes. This contains poems dating back to 1000-500 B.C.E. 9 The Book of Odes is also translated as the Book of Songs or Book of Poetry. A collection of 305 poems divided into 160 folk songs, 105 festal songs sung at court ceremonies, and 40 hymns and eulogies sung at sacrifices to gods and ancestral spirits of the royal house 10 7 http://academics.hamilton.edu/asian_studies/home/culttemp/sitepages/fiveclassics.html 8 https://www.britannica.com/topic/Confucianism 9 http://www.sacred-texts.com/cfu/ 33 A range of issues, including love and marriage, agricultural concerns, daily lives, and war. Book of Rites The Book of Rites. This text describes Chinese religious practice from the eighth to the fifth century B.C.E. The Book of Rites described the social norms, governmental organization, and the ritual conduct during the Zhou dynasty. Believed to have been compiled by Kongzi, the Book of Rites is the foundation of many ritual principles that arise in later imperial China. According to the Book of Rites, proper ritual conduct would maintain harmony in the empire, as well as emphasize the virtue of piety. Book of Changes: The I Ching The Book of Changes. Dating to approximately 3000 B.C.E., this famous oracular book is one of the oldest sacred texts in the world. Also known as I Ching or Book of Changes. The book contains a divination system comparable to Western geomancy or the West African Ifá system. In Western cultures and modern East Asia, it is still widely used for this purpose. Spring and Autumn Annals A historical record of the State of Lu, Confucius's native state, 722–481 BC. As the longest of the Five Classics, the Spring and Autumn Annals is a historical chronicle of the State of Lu. Unlike the Book of Documents, the Spring and Autumn Annals appear to have been created specifically for annalistic purposes. The Spring and Autumn Annals was traditionally understood as being written by Confucius, but modern scholars believe the text was actually written by various chroniclers from the State of Lu.11 SCHOOL of thaught 10 http://www.china-expats.com/ChineseLiterature2.htm 11 http://academics.hamilton.edu/asian_studies/home/culttemp/sitepages/fiveclassics.html 34 Confucian ideas were also firmly established in the legal system as ritual became increasingly important in governing behaviour, defining social relationships, and adjudicatingcivil disputes.