Confucianism as a religion

The development of metaphysical elements of Confucianism provides the religious features of the tradition thus becoming the official state ideology of Chinese. The religious state of Confucianism insists on the practical order of things while creating awareness to the people on the existence of Tian (heaven), the respect of gods and the importance of the family. The moral codes of Confucianism are based on ethics, humanity, and love with Confucius philosophies emphasizing on ideals of order and harmony (Chen, 2013). This paper, therefore, provides an integrated research on Confucianism as a religion in the Chinese tradition, addressing its development, philosophies, and impacts in Chinese society. Confucianism has inspired many philosophers and statement for the past years due to its focus on the importance of education and moral development, the relationship among human races, positive perspective of life, decorum, and loyalty and trustworthy to enable rulers to govern the country with virtues and not coercive laws.

Ye refers to the impulse to do the right thing thus allowing a person to be the ren. Li comprises of all decorum and manner from the munden to the loftiest of the rites. It refers to the outward manifestation of-of ren and yi. Such qualities with other important doctrines like trustworthiness (xin), and loyalty (zhong) provides the worldview of the Chinese state and society. the philosophy consists of five cordinal relationships which include ruler-ruled, father-son, husband-wife, elder brother-younger brother, and friend-friend (Tiwald, 2017). The philosophy presents a ritual coercing of the good deeds. The teachings of this philosophy encourage Confucius view transmitting ancient norms in place of moral paradigm. The resultants of Confucianism realistic strain promoted legalism. This is a philosophy that flourished in China which demanded strict laws and tough punishment with no consideration of the situation.

State Confucianism Qin dynasty transformed China from a multi-state arrangement of power which was led through private and personal loyalty to centralized bureaucratic leadership based on public laws. Cheng-Zhu school researched on the phenomenal world of disparate objects and appearance labeling it qi and the li was on the noumenal world of ultimate organizing principle. On the other hand, the Xin School viewed the universe as a self-contained organism which explains the universal organizing principles or micro- and macro-levels of human existence. The impact of song philosophy on Confucianism explains the metaphysics and means of exploring a person’s mind and psyche. For a very long time, Neo-Confucianism provided support to the Chinese state and society, creating metempsychosis and metaphysic rivalry with other philosophies basing on Buddhism and Daoist which mainly emphasized on human ethics.