1、牧野之戰Battle of Muye 周公旦The Duke of Zhou孔子的生活史Confucius Life-story551 479 BCFrom 501 497 BC, Confucius held minor political positions in Lu; from governor of a town to Minister for CrimeConfucius attempted to convince the three most important families of Lu to tear down the walls of their cities and d

2、evote themselves to peace. But he failed, and so left home and began to travel and teach.孔子的生活史Confucius Life-story孔子 travelled and tried to convince the authorities in every place to follow his ideas. But none of them did.By the end of his life, 孔子 did not occupy an important government position, b

3、ut had at least 72 students, some of whom did.孔子的生活史Confucius Life-storyIf 孔子 lived in todays China, we would think him a failure. He was not wealthy or successful. But everyone in China now knows his name, while all the successful men of his time have been forgotten.EducationMoral governmentEtiquet

4、te/Ritual (禮)Individual Morality/ Benevolence (仁)Duties of ones Station (including 孝)Key Confucian ValuesEducationTo imitate the sage-kings of the past, you must know about them.To know about them, you must study history.Five Classic Texts- 詩經，書經，禮經，易經 & 春秋。Later effects on China: 1) an incurabl

5、e preoccupation with history and its significance; 2) the imperial examination system 科舉 EducationOpen to any man over teenage yearsThree levels of exams province, city, palaceStudents could bring in a jug of water, some food, a chamber pot (便桶), a bed, an inkstone, ink and brushesExams lasted for 4

6、8 or 72 hours and consisted of 八股文The 科舉 later inspired the British and was imitated in their Civil Service Exams科舉The 科舉 was the first system in the world to give the opportunity for any man of any class to take up important positions of power, based only on knowledge and virtueThough it had many f

7、laws and problems, the 科舉 was unique in the world and Chinese people should be rightfully proud of this heritage科舉Moral governmentLeaders MUST lead by example. People will follow their example no matter what they do.“君子之德風，小人之德草，草上之風，必偃。The ruler is like the wind and the people like the grass. Which

8、ever way the wind blows, the grass cannot help but bend.”Moral government禮There are certain set behaviours that will channel emotions and actions into moral pathways.For example: Romantic love Wedding Grief Funeral Filial Piety Visiting ancestors gravesLaws & 禮 are fundamentally different things

9、禮Etiquette/Ritual仁 is above all relating to others morally “孔子說仁就是愛人” Benevolence is to love others.自己不想做的事情，就不要加給別人。Dont do to others what you wouldnt want done to you. (In English this is often called the Golden Rule)How do I become 仁人？By practice in daily life and in 禮。仁BenevolenceDuties of ones

10、StationFundamental relationships have their own moral requirements- ruler/subject; parent/child; husband/wife 哥哥弟弟 friend/friendRelationships inherently unequal BUT not a power-play; rather mutual 仁 from different vantage points in life.Duties of ones Station孝 is not just looking after parents but s

11、howing them respect too3 year mourning periodYou dont have to agree with your parents about everything, and can correct them, but do it gently and be reverent even if they dont listen to you. (An 4:18)孝No man has been more influential on China than 孔子孔子, & 孔子孔子 is the best gift of China to the world. Is 孔子s teaching still useful for modern Chinese society? Should more attention be paid to 孔子s teaching