Four errors about Confucianism. "Noble husband" as a performer of the sky

26.09.2019

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At the same time, all cynological researchers define the religion of China as "Three exercises": confucianism(Zhu Jia), taoism(Tao Jia) and buddhism(FD Jia).

Traditionally, religious textbooks follow the listing and, therefore, include Confucianism to the sphere of religion. This principle is used in the preparation of this chapter.

Guided by the signs inherent in the religious worldview, which were marked earlier in the introductory chapter, we can conclude that, despite our externally, a secular character, Confucianism fully corresponds to the main criteria for religious doctrine. Its content:

- refers to the sphere of human spiritual activity;

- implies the experiences of a mystical nature, as a result of which the internal filling of human life should be harmonized;

- approves the existence of the spiritual world in the shape of the sky (Tian) and the Song of the ancestors;

- recognizes the need to commit a ritual, in particular - sacrifices, that is, it contains religious practice.

Term "Confucianism"it has European origins. In the most immetic, this teaching is known entitled zhu Jiathat literally means "the teachings of wise men / thinkers", or "School of Scientists". The European term is derived from the name of a person who has a fundamental impact on the formation of teachings.

Of the preserved historical sources, we can learn a lot of information about the life and activities of Confucius. True, it is worth noting that some biographical data can hardly be treated as reliable and worn, rather legendary, mythological character.

Confucius: information about the life of the legendary teacher

Confucius- This is a latinized name. Kun Futsza(Kit. "Sage / Scientific / Philosopher [from the genus] kun"). Kun - family name, family name, and his own name was - Tsu..

Confucius time is the era Chun Tsyu(letters. "Westerns and autumn"), marked by a powerful political and social crisis in the subway and sunset of the Zhou state. The authorities of the Supreme Ruler - Zhowsky Vana - extremely weakened, the patriarchal norms of relationships between people were not observed, the vassal kingdoms were permanent wars with each other, inside each specific principality there was a struggle of aristocrats for power.

In fact, the state system of China was on the verge of collapse, and the final collapse of the country was to be a natural outcome of this crisis. Under these conditions, many representatives have lost their own impact and even were forced to look for food through private lessons, teaching traditional Chinese texts. One of these teachers was the founder of Confucianism.

Origin and the first years of life

The philosopher came from an ancient, but impoverished and lost the political importance of the genus, who was applied to the Imperial Dynasty Shan. Traditionally, his birth date is considered 551 years BC E..

His father - Shulyan He - was an official of the principality of Lou, and at the time of his son he was 63 years old. The situation was complicated by the fact that the mother of the newborn - Yan Zhengzay - was not a legitimate wife Shulyan He, but only his 17-year-old concubine.

When the confusion was one and a half years, he lost his father. Mother, fearing the oppression of the widows and close relatives Shulyan He, left the house where the baby was born, and moved to Tsyufu (East China, the province of Shandong), where he soon married again.

Confucius grew in very constrained conditions. "As a child I was poor, so I had to deal with many despised affairs," the teacher testified later.

Despite this, he remained a cheerful child and loved to fulfill the rites to the deceased ancestors. He himself described his life path in the following words: "At fifteen years I drew my thoughts to study. Thirty years I have gained independence. In the forty years I was freed from doubt. In fifty years I knew the will of the sky. At sixty years learned to distinguish the truth from the wrong. At seventy years, I began to follow the desires of my heart and did not violate the ritual. "

Entry into marriage

In the 19th age, Confucius married, however, apparently, in marriage, he did not find happiness. At least we can judge this from his own words: "It's hard to deal with women and low people. If they come closer to them, they cease to obey. If you are removed from them, you are inevitably experiencing hatred from their side. "

The name of his spouse is unknown. Late sources inform us that she was from the kingdom of Sun. She gave birth to sage son and daughter. Descendants of Confucius live in China (in Taiwan) and today and are enjoying great respect in society. It is significant that the teacher himself considered attachment to the home hearth and the family comfort by unworthy of the real sage and noble husband(jun Tzi.).

Subsequently, the philosopher led the life of a wanderer, often moving from place to place in search of the possibility to implement his teaching. Nothing is reported about his spouse, from which researchers conclude that in fact he left his wife.

By the time of marriage, Confucius mastered perfectly six arts, or six canons(liu I.), the knowledge of which was required from any educated person of that time. This set of skills included an understanding of rituals, musical literacy, the ability to shoot from the bow, to control the chariot, count and write.

Carier start

The State Career Confucius began with the fact that he took the seat of the caretaker of the barn from one of the local feudalists belonging to the genus Ji. Then he received an increase in service, becoming in the same aristocratic family of a caretaker over his cattle.

Already then, he appears first students.

According to the legendary information recorded by the Chinese historiogram Qian Sum (approx. 135-86. BC) in his fundamental work "Shi-Ji" ("Historical Notes"), in pretty young years of Confucius visited the cognitive goals of the Dynasty courtyard Zhou, who was in the city of Loi (modern Luoyang). There he met with the archivist named Lee ERMore famous as Lao Tzu. They had a meaningful conversation, as a result of which both interlocutors stayed in admiration from each other, but retained the conviction in the wrong opponent's views. It is not surprising if I keep in mind that both participants in the conversation became the spiritual leaders of two opposing teachings: Confucianism and Taoism.

In particular, Lao Tzu said about his interlocutor as follows: "Light and deeply opposing the whole mind approaching death because he likes to discuss others. The one who knows a lot and is widely arguing, threatens its brenome existence, because it reveals evil in other people. "

About 517 years BC e. The ruling dynasty of the kingdom of Lu was removed from power by other aristocratic childbirth. Confucius was forced together with his cartridge to run into the kingdom of qi. Here he accepted a new ruler and, taking it, he gave him the ownership of Nishi, thereby introducing it to the community of the feudalists. In addition, the sovereign appointed him to a high post at the court. However, soon the ruler's opinion changed - Confucius was removed from office and after two more than a year after leaving from his native principality was forced to return to Lou.

Psychia

Here it begins a long, lasting period of the life of Confucius, when he is looking for an opportunity to continue his career, but his abilities remain unclaimed at the court. At this time, it is actively engaged in editing the ancient texts that have been subsequently a cultural ridge of Chinese civilization, and communicates with numerous disciples.

He conducts classes in the form of conversations and takes into his school people for a very modest fee - "Three ligaments of dried meat", but not refuses to teacher and the one who does not have the opportunity to pay even such a price. As a result, among his students are not only representatives of aristocratic surnames, but also common-person. Such behavior of Confucius confirms its idea that the name of the noble husband should not be given by origin, but according to the inner state of a person - in accordance with the arrangement of his heart.

Finally, in 51, Confucius found a long-awaited opportunity to apply his teaching in practice. In 501 BC e. The ruler Lou - Ding-Gong - appointed him by the chief of the county of Zhundu.

Only a year later, the county came into a flowering condition, and the surrounding rulers began to imitate confusion in the management methods.

Seeing the successes of his official, the ruler appoints him responsible for organizing public works ( xiao Sykun.). To streamline the tax system, the teacher divided all arable land for five categories and set the standards of filters depending on the quality of incidents. In other words, Confucius implemented its idea of \u200b\u200bsocio-economic justice in practice.

Public service

The consequence of positive changes was the appointment of his yes Sykoyu- official responsible for the investigation of criminal and political crimes. After some time, Confucius took the place of the nearest adviser to the sovereign. In fact, he began to manage the whole kingdom. His dream came true: he was now thereby jun Tzi.- a noble husband who is devotion to the ruler and manages the state on the basis of the highest ethical principles.

In the spring of 499 BC. e. Negotiations at the highest state level between the monarchs of the states of LU and Qi took place. The kingdom of Qi was a powerful power, but Confucius, being a senior dignitorn in the retinue of his monarch and the core of the meeting, managed to furnish the case in such a way that at the end of the negotiations, a stronger kingdom was lost a few controversial territories. Hardly such a result was made exclusively by the main adviser, but his merit would also be wrong.

Inspired by the successes, Confucius seeks to strengthen the power of the sovereign, for which it takes an operation on the weakening of the vassal cities - states, demanding to destroy their fortress walls and pass the weapons. It cannot be said that the attempt was completely successful, however, to strengthen the power of the monarch, this project undoubtedly contributed.

To this period, the teacher's activities include an episode challenged by confusion followers, but confirmed by some evidence, in particular - text Kun Tzu Jia-Yu("Family speeches of Confucius", or "Speech Confucius for School") - Literary Monument of the III century, attributed to the Confucianian scientist Van Su. Arriving for strengthening the power of the monarch, Confucius faced a political opposition in the person of representatives of the informant known. One of these people was Shaozhen Mao. Confucius sentenced him to the death penalty only for the fact that he "fell evil and high intents."

The state career of Confucius as the chief adviser lasted only four years (from 501 to 497 to n. Er) and broke off suddenly. The ruler of the principality of Qi was involved in the displacement of the teacher from public position. The historian Csyan's Sum describes this event in almost epic tones. However, most experts consider this story of the corresponding reality.

"Then there were eighty-beautiful girls in Qi, dressed in colorful clothes, taught to dance" Cannes "and, settled in thirty carts, harnessed four horses covered with embroidered floors, directed the ruler Lu." The ruler, enthusiastic with a new fun, completely abandoned state affairs. After the adoption of the gift "Three days [in LU] was not listened to [to the advice] on the management, and after the sacrifice of the sky and the earth, the sacrificial meat was not distributed by Dafa [a high-ranking state official in ancient China. - Note. prot. OK.]. And then Kun Tzu left the capital Lou. "

In other words, during the ritual distribution of sacrificial meat, the participants of the Confucius ceremony were overlooking. It was a gross violation of the ritual, an insult of the dignitary and an indication of the inappropriateness of his stay on his position. Probably, the figure of a wise adviser who has a high moral authority, has not correlated with the nras of the monarch of the courtyard - this was well understood not only the sovereign with a retinue, but the philosopher himself.

Last years of life: wanderings, teacwing, writing

From this point on, 55-year-old Confucius begins his long journey through the Middle Kingdom, hoping that his wisdom would be in demand by one of the rulers. For 14 years, it moves from the city to the city, accompanied by students, has no permanent refuge.

Wandering, full of sorrows, humiliation and dangers for life, ended with the return to the native kingdom of Lou. By that time, one of the most potest followers of the thinker took a high state situation there and managed to arrange the heart of the ruler to his teacher. A year before that, the spouse of the Confucius, which he hardly worried.

In their native country, the Confucius post does not receive position, but organizes a private school in which people are taking for a very modest fee, regardless of their origin. According to testimony, Qian's Sum, "Confucius taught songs, legends, rituals and music. He had about three thousand students, seventy-two of them were completely all six arts, and those who<...> He learned the doctrine, there were a lot of "

Along with teaching Confucius engaged in archaeographic surveys and editors of the ancient texts. In particular, it works hard on the following texts:

- "and Jing" ("Canon Changes", or "Book of Change"); - "Shu Jing" ("Book of History", or "Book of Documents"); - "Shi Jing" ("Book of Songs"); - "Lee Ji" ("Notes on Ritual", or "Book of Defense"); - Yue Ji "(" Notes on Music ", or" Music Book "). The listed texts became fundamental, key to all Chinese culture, had a decisive influence on the formation of the worldview and the national nature of the residents of the Middle Kingdom, and indirectly - and the culture of other peoples of the Far East.

However, the thinker is taking and writing works. He writes Chyun Tsyu ("Visny and Autumn") - the chronicle of the native kingdom of Lou from 722 to 479 BC. e.

In 479 BC e. At the age of 73, Confucius dies.

The funeral took place on the banks of the river snew, the whole city participated in them. In accordance with the ritual and according to the ancient tradition, the disciples built a hut next to the grave of the mentor and lived in them, strictly performing all mourning rituals for three years.

Spiritual heritage and memories of contemporaries

Subsequently, the pupils of Confucius on the basis of the memories of his words and actions was created the famous "Lun Yu"("Conversations and judgments"). This text is the main source of knowledge about the life and activities of the philosopher.

It should be said that the Confucius himself was not void. According to the information that came to us, he fully matched the ideal of a noble husband who preached.

Often confusion is called the reformer, it is true, and incorrectly. True in the sense that he really revised many traditional presentations of his time; It is not true that Confucius has never set themselves the goal of something to reform or even more so to invent a new teaching. On the contrary, all his aspirations were aimed at preserving traditional ideas and reviving public life in the spirit of antiquity.

At the end of the description of the Figure of Confucius by letting students who left the memories of the teacher contained in the tenth chapter of Lun Yu, which is the characteristic name "in their village":

"In his village, Confucius seemed to be soothered and in speech idle, and at the courtyard and in the temple of the ancestors he spoke eloquently, although little."

"In anticipation of the audience, chatting with the lower ranks, he seemed gentle, in a conversation with the highest ranks - solid." "He did not sit on the mat, messenger than crooked." "When he was on a feast in his village, he left him only after old people."

"When a stable burned down, a teacher, returning from the prince, asked:" Nobody suffered? ". I did not ask about horses. " "If the prince ordered him to appear, he walked, without waiting for the horses for him."

"When his friend was dying, who had to be buried, he said: - I'm funeral" .

Key texts of the Confucian tradition

As mentioned earlier, Confucius was engaged in archeographic studies, as well as the editors of the ancient texts. He sought to streamline them and lead to a single option.

As a result, the so-called confucian canonindicated by the term Liu I.. This term, as mentioned above, was known and before the birth of a philosopher and literally meant "six canons", or "six arts". Under it was understood by the practical skills that every aristocrat had to possess. However, in the later epoch, the term denotes a certain set of texts related to the personality of the founder of Confucianism.

– And Jing.- "Canon Change" - a book used by fortune. It contains 64 symbol-hexograms, each of which corresponds to the head with interpretation. In turn, each hexogram consists of six elements - lines - integer or broken. The combination of all possible combinations of these elements is exactly the number 64. Each article describes a certain type of life situation and its development prospects. In this case, in this case, we are dealing with an attempt to describe all the diversity of the phenomena of the universe with the help of a binary code;

– Shi Jing.- "Book of songs". This includes: a) folk songs; b) ODD and hymns, used at the courtyard of the emperor; c) ritual chants. Confucius followers believed that he seized the songs associated with love feelings from here;

– Shu Jing- "Book of Documents" / "Book of History". The book contains mythological information about the beginning of China's history, describes the era of the legendary emperors of antiquity, thereby asking the paradigm of social and political relations;

– Li Jzy.- "Records about Ritual." Description of ancient establishments, orders and rituals;

– Yue Jing.- "Book of Music." This book, unfortunately, has not been preserved, and therefore subsequently the Confucian Canon included himself not six, but five canons, the so-called "Pentateuch"(At Jing);

– Chun Tsyu- "Westerns and autumn" - the chronicle of the native to Confucius the principality of LU (from 722 to 479 BC), compiled, according to legend, the teacher himself.

In the Sun Epoch (X-XIII century. N. E.) in the canon enteredalso called the so-called "Quart-term"(Si Shu.), which included:

– Lun Yu.- "Conversations and judgments" - recording conversations Confucius with students. It also contains information about the life of the philosopher itself;

– Zhong Yun.- "The doctrine of the middle and constancy" - a treatise of an ethical character. The book stood out into an independent text from "Ritual entries" (Li Ji). The author is considered to be Tzu Sy - grandson of Confucius;

– Yes Xue.- "Great Teaching" - text, also allocated from Li Ji. It is an ethical and political manifest of Confucianism. Authorship is impossible to establish with accuracy; By tradition, the book was attributed to the student of Confucius Zeng Tzu;

– Maine Tzu.- A book called by the name of the outstanding Confucian philosopher Meng Tzu (372-289 BC. E.). In the treatise justifies the idea of \u200b\u200bthe initial kindness of human nature ( sine Shan). The method of detection of this kindness is invited to follow Confucian practice.

Confucius teaching

Confucian metaphysics

Confucius's ideas about the spiritual world are basically a reflection of those religious ideas that dominated China in its time. With regard to religion, as in all other fundamental issues, the sage adhered to his universal formula: "I pass, but I do not create, I believe in antiquity and love it."

It is significant that all the completeness of the exercise seemed to be confusive to their students like Wen.("Tradition", "Culture"), that is, a combination of basic norms, asking the matrix of being both a separate person and the whole society.

This approach fully explains why "the teacher did not talk about miracles, strength, riots and spirits."

At the same time, Confucius was respected to rites, the purpose of which was the impact on spiritual entities. "When Vetyuri's demons were expelled in his village, he stood on the eastern staircase in the parade attire."

During his illness, the sage testified: "I have long been taking a prayer for the spirits."

However, Confucius preferred cautiously when he was in question about spiritual or mysterious subjects.

At the same time, Confucius pointed to the need to read Sky(Tian) Through sacrifices and insisted on knowing it will(min.), which should be decisive in the life of every worthy person - noble husband(jun Tzi.).

Gnoseological foundations of Confucian ethics

Term "Min", well known in antiquity, is further developed in confusion. Most often it is translated as "fate", "Sky Mandate"or "Will's Sky".

According to Confucius, a person is not able to change the sky of the sky. However, he must know what he wants the sky from him. At the same time, this knowledge correlated not with the personality of a particular person, but with his socio-political status. Simply put, the sky wants every member of society and every citizen of the state in accordance with the duties defined it.

It is obvious that it is not always easy to act in accordance with the requirements of your debt, moreover, not always such actions bring obvious benefit to the person.

Confucius is quite aware of this and insists that ideally, "how it should" should be treated, "as right," without worrying about the consequences.

Knowledge " Tian Min."(Letters." Willes of the sky ") is necessary to every person aspiring to perfection. Confucius argued: "Not knowing the will [sky], you can not become a noble husband."

The knowledge of mines gives them the most important advantage - freedom from fluctuations and permanent doubts, so often torrenting man. After all, knowing mines, a person acts without fearing to lose. Its action is now estimated not by finite, practical, utilitarian results, but according to his personal duty.

As a result, a person is exempt both from the thirst for victory and from paralyzing fear of defeat. He dwells in the inner rest, completely conscious, which acts as it should. Given the said, you can understand why Confucius said: "The noble man is always happy, a low person is always depressed."

As a result of this approach in Confucianism was formulated concept of "action without purpose". In order to illustrate the specified position of the exercise, we turn again to the biography of the Confucius itself.

In Lun Yu, there is a remarkable episode, in which one of the opponents of the teacher (probably a supporter of the Taoist tradition) rises a philosopher, calling it, "who continues to do what he knows, he does not achieve success." The fact that the followers of Confucius recorded and retained this episode, suggests that the main thing in the actions of the sage is not a success, but the correctness of the executable actions.

That is why in another place, one of the nearest philosopher students, objecting to his opponent, says: "For a noble husband, the service is the fulfillment of his debt, even when it is already known that the path cannot be implemented."

All the life of Confucius was the implementation of this principle. He traveled for many years, preaching his teaching in the era of state fragmentation and political chaos, without taking care of whether his voice heard. He spoke about his ministry: "If my teaching is carried out into life, then the will of [the sky], if my teaching is discarded, on the will of [the sky]."

"Noble husband" as a performer of the sky

So, knowledge and adherence of the sky for Confucius are the distinctive features of who he calls " noble husband" (Jun Tzi.- letters. "Son of the ruler"). Understanding this term is very important for the perception of the entire Confucian teaching.

Jun Tzi.- This is an exemplary person, which Confucius offered as a moral landmark to its followers. He tried to realize this ideal in his life, although he didn't call himself rightly.

At the base of the exercise on the noble husband lies the idea of \u200b\u200ban inseparable connection, the correlation of personal moral self-improvement and public / state activity. The main goal of the activity of such a person is to create an ideal state of the times of the ancient emperors Yao and Shun. Confucius insists that only the high-level, perfect person can engage in state activities.

Opposite Jun Tzi.is a "low person" - xiao Jean.(letters. "Little Man"). "Low Man" is a collective negative sample, an example of how should not be done, which should be avoided. Xiao Jean.- The full opposite of a noble husband, its moral antipode. This is a person who does not want to perform the wills of the sky, in all seeking their small benefits, unable to maintain dignity in difficult situations.

Interestingly, due to the influence of the Confucian morality, the merchants in China stood on the hierarchical staircase below the peasants.

The main virtues of the "noble husband"

Confucius followers, trying to systematize the teachings of the founder of tradition, formulated the principle "Five constants"(From Chan) noble person.

Under constancy are understood by virtues: - Jen.("Humanity"), - AND("Justice") - Lie("ritual"),

– Ji.("Rationality") - Blue("sincerity"). Consider Read more The content of each virtue.

The main virtue of a noble person - Jen.. This concept is translated most often as "humanity"or "Association", sometimes descriptively - "Love for people".

Confucius himself quite simply explained what Jen.:

"Fan Chi asked about humanity [t. e. About "Zhen". - Note. prot. OK.]. The teacher answered: - It means to love others. "

Confucius believed that the humanity is inherent in the nature of man. She easily discovers anyone who wants to act with love for people. He testified: "Is human-minded far from us? If I want to be human-loving, peoplehip comes. " People should be a rod motivation of a noble husband's actions.

The fundamental importance of humanity in Confucius is seen from the fact that "the term" man performed by Zhen "becomes synonymous with the term" virtuous person "."

Only humanity can be the basis for the creation of spiritually strong, morally healthy society, whether it is the whole nation or one family. Confucius taught: "Do not do other people of what you do not want yourself, and then in the state, and you will not feel enmity to you in the family."

In "Yes Xue" we read: "Do not use what you hate in the higher, to use the lower. Do not use what you hate in the lower, in the service of the highest. Do not use what you hate in those who are ahead, in order to get ahead of those who are behind. Do not use what you hate in those who are behind in order to follow those who are ahead. Do not use what you hate on the right, in order to show the left. Do not use what you hate to the left, in order to show the right. This is called the principle of applying measures. "

Social forms of philanthy are zhong("Devotion to others", first of all - senior) and shu("Genham" to people, that is, concern for them). In this regard, the following excerpt from "Lun Yu" is very indicative:

"The teacher said: - My teaching is permeated with one idea. Zeng Tzu exclaimed: - True so! When the teacher left, the disciples asked: - What does this mean? Zeng Tzu replied: - The basic principles of the teacher - devotion [soda] and concern [about people], nothing else. "

Only one who loves others is able to fulfill its duty in society, to be fair and properly.

We approached the second most important Confucian virtue - AND. ANDmost often translate as "justice"Although, judging by the use of the term in the texts of the Confucian tradition, it would rather be translated as "The correctness", "social musting", "following your vocation", "readiness to fulfill the debt".

Simply put, AND- This is a categorical imperative prescribing a person to do in society that it should, regardless of whether this action will be successful and profitable for humans. If it acts for the sake of benefits, this action is unfairly essentially, although externally and may look like that.

Naturally at the same time that the very concept of benefits liewears in Confucianism sharply negative character and opposes in the ethical sense of justice ( AND). Confucius says: "A noble husband knows only debt, a low person knows only the benefits."

Lie- The term denoting the ritual. However, this ritual is not just the meaning of the ceremony, but also a certain regalityment of all parties to the life of a person and society, etiquette in the European understanding of this word, but not so much on the rules of decency and established formal customs, as in the religious perception of the ritual as the only right way to organize life In any manifestations. The ritual, thus reflects the above categories, that is, teaches a person justice, the investigation of the debt and reveals the humanity of its inner nature.

Ji.("Rationality" or "wisdom") is a category, appreciated not only in Confucianism. In this case, it is obvious that wisdom meant among other things awareness of the correctness of the teachings of Confucius and the willingness to follow him.

Blue("Sincerity", "Frequency") - virtue that serves as a correlate to rituality, designed to contribute to the saturation of the rite and public-public service with living content, faithful emotionality and helping the person internally establish itself in his works for the benefit of others. Committing rites, as well as the fulfillment of their debt only then will be correct if it is based on a relaxed and non-estate desire to act in accordance with the principles of humanity and justice.

Ethics of socio-political relations in Confucianism

Confucius considered any community, whether the yard of the ruler, a separate principality or all the imminent, as a structure that is an analogue of the family. It is the family who asks, in his opinion, a paradigm of relations between all members of any community.

Later in Confucianism was formulated concept called At Lun- five options (species) of human relationships:

- Between Father and Son (Qin); - Between the ruler and subjects (and); - between husband and wife (BE); - between people of different ages (Xu); - between friends and companions (blue). Five constants correlated with "Three strangers"(San Gan).

Under them were understood by the three forms of commands (subordination): - the sovereign and the subject (ruler (supervisory) and subordinate); - Father and Son (older in age (on position) and younger); - husband and wife. The basis of all of the above types of relationships is the principle xiao– "Sonnia Precision". Since family relationships were projected at all on all spheres of human life, it was assumed that without xiaoit can not be correct or family nor public life.

Concept of socio-state reform

It was obvious to Confucius that the real state of things is far from ideals preached by him. Inevitably the question was to: how can I fix the situation? This issue, which is theoretical character, asks in Lun Yu, one of the students of Confucius:

"Tzu-Lu asked:" Waisa ruler intends to attract you to government management. What do you do first? "

The teacher replied: "You must start with name correction."

Tzu-Lu asked: "You start from afar. Why do you need to correct names? "

The teacher said: "How are you uneducated, y! A noble husband exhibits caution in relation to what he does not know. If the names are incorrect, then the words do not have grounds. If the words do not have grounds for them, then cases cannot be implemented. If things can not be carried out, then ritual and music do not flourish. If ritual and music do not flourish, punishments are not properly applied. If punishments are not applied properly, the people do not know how to behave. Therefore, a noble husband, giving names, should pronounce them correctly, and what pronounces correctly implement. In the words of a noble husband should not be anything wrong. ""

The idea of \u200b\u200bfixing names (Zheng Min)- This is the requirement for the compliance of the external position and internal self-maintenance. Speaking otherwise, the formal status of a person must correspond to his behavior, words and actions.

It is assumed that each name is a reflection of the nature of the thing and therefore should be the real consent between them. Otherwise, things and people cease to meet their name, which threatens Haosom to any community.

Compliance with his social status (and in the categories of Confucius - "name") meant in the metaphysical plan follow your own dao.

If a person does not follow his daoHis name must be changed. It must be deprived of the existing status and endowed with another corresponding to his mental state and actions.

With regard to the position of the sovereign, this meant the opportunity to lose heavenly mandate and, as an inevitable consequence, - gE Min- State coup.

With certain reservations, this approach is applicable to each of the members of society. That is why Confucius says: "The sovereign must be a sovereign, Sanovnik - Sanovnik, father - father, son - Son."

Any name (sovereign, sovereign, father, son) implies certain duties. Therefore, name media indicating the position of a person in a society or family must execute their duty to which this name indicates.

Confucian ritual practice

In accordance with traditional Chinese ideas, the earth's world does not have significant differences from the world of heaven and is reflection. This has become the cause of the sacralization of the state of the sovereign and the cause of the rapprochement of administrative duties of officialhood with priest functions.

At the state level, even a special department existed, which ensured the correctness and timeliness of the departed rites - Department of Ceremonieswho was among the six senior management bodies in the Empire.

It is also indicative that even the practice of salary to the deities of honorable titles existed.

The ritual was an act of projecting the heavenly reality to the Dolutions of the world and at the same time brought the lives of people in line with the Hornstone, Divine Procedure. The lack of the ritual meant a gap with the sky and in general with the sacrality of being and, as a result, an anarchy and the complete degradation of every human community.

The main goal of the main state rituals is to ensure the prosperity and prosperity of the Company, which is unthinkable without the correct inner dispensation of its members. Accordingly, the ritual, establishing communication with the deity, simultaneously performed the normalizing and harmonizing role in relation to each participant. The ritual actions found a person and pointed to him in his place in society, thereby calling for its concern dao.

It is no coincidence that is why in Confucian Chinese China, who manifested the nerakend performed by his ritual duties, was subject to severe punishment.

The key element of rituals were sacrifices. Formally, they can be divided into several categories:

1 . Great sacrifices (yes s)made by the emperor. The objects of the cult acted the sky, the earth, the ancestors of the emperor and the spirits of cereals (She Ji).

2 . Middle Suggested (Zhongsa)also published the emperor, and the worship was performed at the same time, the moon, Jupiter (on which calendar dates were calculated), the spirits of the sky and the land, the late emperors of the previous dynasties, the Divine Patron of Agriculture Sheng Nunu, as well as Lei Tzu - the patroness of the silverhood. The last deity of the victim brought the Empress. In addition, according to the model of the capital in large cities, similar worships also passed.

3 . Lightweight (Xiaos)they were committed by the forces of officialhood and did not assume the participation of the emperor.

4 . Sacrifice due to cataclysms(flood, epidemic, hunger, etc.).

A separate type of rituals were sacrifices in honor of the Confucius itself. His cult was one of the emperor sent. There were also sacred places associated with the life and activities of the teacher. In the scale of the whole state, he was revered as a patron of science and teaching.

In addition, there were local cults with sacrifices on the graves of the honored people who left good memory about themselves. It is noteworthy that, according to the ancient Chinese tradition, the ritual of the sown mourning of the Son on the late parent assigned a strict ascetic for three years, as well as accommodation in a special hut installed the grave of the deceased.

Traditional chinostrees consisted of two stages: demonstrations of the object of worship of sacrificial gifts and the act of transferring them through the burning at the special altar.

Food or household items used as sacrificial items, and the burning meant to transfer them to another level of being. All rites, as a rule, were accompanied by music, for which special instruments were often kept in the temples used by special orchestras if necessary.

A separate topic associated with state ritual is rituals kE JUY.accounted for in the framework of the examination of an administrative position, as well as accompanying the entry of the official to the position, as well as his resignation.

Confucianism in China's History

In 478 BC er, that is, two years after the death of Confucius, the temple was built in his homeland in Quifu. Later, temples appear in other cities (Beijing, Shanghai).

Almost immediately after the death of the teacher, his followers were divided into several directions. The most significant followers and interpreters of the Confucius exercise Maine Tzu.(372-289 BC. Er) and Xun Tzi.(OK 313-238 BC. er) - the authors of the two-name treatises.

Already in the era of his formation, Confucianism had to withstand the harsh competitive struggle for the influence on the state and society with alternative exercises: Taoism, Moism and Legality. This is the period of the so-called "Early Confucianism".

Emperor Qin Shihuandy (246-210 BC. Er) proclaimed the legality of the official ideology. The confusion was announced by the real war: the followers of Confucius were deprived of posts, the sacred texts were destroyed (now known treatises were restored by memory in the II century BC. Er). The most dramatic episode of the confrontation was the penalty of 460 scientists. Proofutsians, buried alive.

In the era of the Han Dynasty (206 BC. E. - 220. N. E.), which came to the change of the Zhou dynasty, begins national reverence of Confucius. He makes a worship themselves the emperors themselves, sacrifices are brought in his honor, in schools call on his name in prayers. He is considered a deity that predicted the existence of a reigning home and in his work "Visny and the Autumn" encrypted the political ideal, implemented in the practice of the ruling dynasty (Han).

Attempts by creative understanding of ancient ideas in the context of new political realities are made. As a result, Confucianism becomes a full-fledged ideological system and receives the status of state teaching. In modern synology, this type of teaching is called "Classic Confucianism".

In the first century n. e. With the patronage of the emperor, a huge work is carried out on the unification of the canon, the official cult of Confucius is formed, an exam system is created. kE JUY., allowed to consolidate the sacred status of Confucian texts and create a system of social elevators operating over two thousand years.

Examinations assumed among other things a demonstration of knowledge (actually - by heart) canonical treatises and the ownership of the "six arts" (see above), in particular, the ability to shoot onion and write poetry. The exams had a three-step structure, began in the provinces and ended in the capital. Withstand all the trials held a desired administrative position. Formally it was until the beginning of the 20th century.

In the era of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Confucianism was encountered with one competitive teaching - Buddhism. As a result of attempts to give an adequate response to challenges, abandoned by a new religion, largely due to the works of the scientist Han Yuya (768-824) appeared "Neokonfucianism".

In the XIX century, the teaching experienced another crisis due to the collision with Western culture. During this period, new interpretations of Construction of Confucianism appear, including aimed at synthesis with ideas born in the depths of European civilization.

In the XX century, the communist regime was established at the main territory of China. Communists were respected to the personality of Confucius, realizing that the ideas of the teacher who had impregnated the life of a simple people, including the peasantry, cannot be ignored on the way the new state.

The situation has changed in the era of reforms Mao Zeduna. Items "Cultural Revolution"(1966-1976) appealed to the idea of \u200b\u200bprogress. Confucianism was declared an obstacle to the Light Future.

Nevertheless, the Decision of Confucius has overcome this difficult period, and in 1970-1980, in the era of socio-political reforms Dan XiaopinConfucianism again became a noticeable spiritual force, largely affecting the public consciousness of modern China.

Literature

Vasilyev P. S.Cults, religions, traditions in China. M., 1970.

Glagolev S. S.China's religion. M., 1901. Ancient Chinese philosophy. Collection of texts in 2 tons. T. 1. M.: Thought, 1972.

Confucius.Lun Yu. Executions / Confucius. M.: Ast-Astrel, 2011.

Malyavin V. V.Chinese civilization. M.: Design. Information. Cartography; Astrel; AST, 2001.

Malyavin V. V.Confucius. M., 1992.

Fractures L. S.Confucius: life, teaching, fate. M.: Science, 1993.

Fractures L. S.Confucius and Confucianism with antiquity to the present (V c. BC. E. - XXI century). M.: Stilservice, 2009.

Feng-Yu-Lan.Brief history of Chinese philosophy. St. Petersburg., 1998.

We fell into the temple of Confucius after dinner, three hours, and with pleasure they spent there the rest of the daylight. From Tiananmen Square (in a cafe, next to which we came, the idea of \u200b\u200bvisiting this is a landmark place) to the temple of Confucius got quite quickly and easily. First, on the subway station to Yonghegong (Metro Line No. 2 and No. 5), then a very famous Lamaist monastery of UNHEGUN immediately found, and, led to a commitment to visit and went straight to the temple of Confucius That was completely close. May the UNHEGUN monastery forgive us, we did not fulfill this obligation and did not see it. Once on the territory of the neighboring church, the honorable temple of Confucius, very cozy, quiet and relatively little visited, we did not find the strength to leave it until the very last minute of permitted time visits. By this time, the UNHEGUN monastery was closed, and the next day the temple of the sky and the train to Pingyao was waiting for us.

A little walking along a quiet street, along the high wall, over the crest of which you can see the tiled roofs of the ancient buildings and the crown of no less ancient cypresses, come to the gate to the temple.

Come in. Our eyes open an imfilade of three yards separated by walls and gates.

On the territory of the Temple of Confucius, everything is saturated with wisdom and scholarship, which will certainly pull on the deep reflections. Here I personally flew such an unexpected question: how much is the Chinese religious? And if there is a question, you need to look for the answer. On the one hand, everything is simple enough. Is it possible not to be religious people belonging to the thousand-year civilization living in the country filled with temples and chapels, altars and monasteries. But, if we assume that the main signs of religion are the presence of dogma, ideas about the divine creation of the world, about the existence of deities who do not have anything to do with simple mortals, the answer to the question will be different. The Chinese are not religious.

In China, many centuries have already been the concept of "three religions", including Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. The Chinese do not recognize harsh borders between them, remaining faithful to the statement: "Three exercises make up, in fact, one."

One of these three teachings, Confucianism, the least religious. This system is based on ties between the laws of nature and moral prohibitions. Watching the world and transferring these observations through learning, this teaching creates the basis for a social organization. Confucianism does not preach the idea that the family has chapter, because God wished it so. Not at all. Just nature demonstrates us that it is impossible to survive in anarchy conditions. Deficated deities in a personalized form, Confucianism recognizes the existence of natural forces that are inexorable, actively operate in this world. The question of the posthumous existence of Confucianism is more likely symbolically, without any relationship to reality, mainly through the cult of ancestors. In any case, it is far from the search for immortality.

Taoism is the same ancient teaching, as well as Confucianism. There is a legend that the Confucius is a student of Lao Tzu, is it, just not known. But there were two legendary Chinese philosopher at one time. Lao Tzu ("Wise Older") Founder of the Philosophical Teaching on the Great Absolute. There is no absolute good and absolute evil, there is no absolute truth and absolute lies - all the concepts and values \u200b\u200bare relative. Taoism (from the Chinese word "Tao" "path", "First Essence of Everyone") also has the idea of \u200b\u200blistening to the paths of nature. On the one hand, the emphasis is on the practice of meditation. The main idea of \u200b\u200bthe practical philosophy of Lao Tzu is to abstract from any connections with society, spending time, reflecting alone. Any desire to do something, to change anything in nature or in the life of people condemned. The main principle is the principle of nonsense, inaction, and the main virtue is abstinence. On the other hand, Taoism has a religious component. First, the degenidation of Lao Tzu, for which a series of rituals, practices and magical ceremonies was developed. These cults were sent by the priests, the place of departure of the cult could be temples or chapels or other magic territory defined by priests. Later in religious Taoism a lot of gods appeared. Often these were people who were able to defeat death through dedication or gaining wisdom. Thus, there is a way, which through a certain number of practices, ascetic behavior and exercise of a magical nature, may lead a dedicated to the mystery of the teachings towards immortality.

And finally, Buddhism. He came from India, where Siddharatha lived (his own Buddha name), also known as Gautam Shakjamuni. And he lived just in the Epoch of Confucius and Lao Tzu. Buddhism came to China at the beginning of the first century of our era. The main teaching of the Buddha contains four truths: life is suffering; suffering comes from the desire; desire to Ukrotimo; Suffering can be defeated by the right thinking. To defeat the suffering - it means to be able to get out of relevant practices and meditations to get out of the cycle of reincarnations, in which again and again will overthrow people the mistakes made by them. Those who could be cleaned sufficiently to rise to the level of where the desire fade is holy or awaken. Siddharatha is one of the awakened.

By the way, you noticed that we have been in the territory of the church of Confucius for a long time. It will be more fair if we pay the focus of this legendary personality.

About Confucius, great Chinese philosopher, whose theories really liked Chinese emperors

Out of 500 BC, there were many principalities on the territory of modern China, which were uninterrupted internecine wars. This was the main reason for the emergence of a large number of philosophical teachings, which sought to explain the imperfection of being, the cause of the infinite disasters of the people. Chinese philosophers wanted to find the way to overcome suffering and grief. The rulers of the state - emperors and princes - they sought to surround themselves with the wise men to make the impression of wise rulers. Philosophers with students wandered from one kingdom to another and offered their services under the courts of rulers.

The most famous philosopher of that time was Confucius (551-479. BC). Confucius is a Latinized form of the name and title, in China his name or kun fu-tzu (wise Kun Teacher) or Kun Tzu (Philosopher Kun).

He did not leave after himself written works, but his disciples retained the memory of the teacher. From the passages of his teachings, the book "Conversations" was created, in which Confucius formulated the moral ideal of a perfect person, the main qualities of which should be: humanity and a sense of duty.

Confucius spoke about the society of the ideal order, in which everyone knows its place where there is a division of on-top and bottoms: those who think and manages the state, and those who work and obeys. Belonging to these groups was determined by the knowledge and moral qualities of a person. The basis of order is the harsh submission of the eldest. The blindness of the will of the Senior is the necessary condition for the stability of society.

Initially, Confucianism was only one, although very influential, the teachings of ancient China, which existed along with other exercises, with the same Taoism. But, after the combination of China and the creation of a stable centralized empire Han (206 BC. E.- 220 N. E.), it gradually increased, and became the state ideology of the Imperial China.

Confucianism is based on the idea of \u200b\u200bharmony of personal moral self-improvement and activities aimed at streamlining the state in the name of creating an ideal society.

It was assumed that the moral self-improvement of a person is a prerequisite for its successful activity on the state field, which is the purpose of its moral development.

The followers of Confucius believed that the state is an analogue of a large patriarchal family, in which the emperor should play the same role as the full-wing chapter. In the traditional Chinese family there was a tough hierarchy, the principle of unquesting subordination of the younger senior dominated it. Accordingly, the Confucian doctrine suggested compliance with the norms of hierarchical coziness, which was expressed in the norms of "five relationships" - relations between the sovereign and subjects, between the father and children, between the elders and the younger brothers, between her husband and wife and between friends.

The ideal personality of Confucianism is "a noble husband," they could have anyone, regardless of the origin. The only criterion for his "nobility" is a strict and strict adherence to the standards of Confucian morality.
The cult of ancestors was playing a big role. Confucianism did not approve the immortality of their souls. It was important to behave as if the ancestors were really present "demonstrating these sincerity and developing humanity - sown respect and respect for family values, and to antiquity.

After the Confucianism became the official ideology of the empire, his ideas had a strongest influence on the formation of its entire political system. For example, the exam system, the main method of forming the official building of the state. An examining, and they, theoretically, could be anyone if he was not the son of a prostitute, an actor or a hairdresser (the first two options, they have an explanation, but I don't know what hairdressers were charged) I had to demonstrate my knowledge of Confucian classics during the exam And the ability to apply its principles in solving modern political problems. This system has existed safely in China until 1905, when it was replaced by a European secondary system. The influence of Confucianism on all Chinese society was so deep that it felt in today's life of the people.

On the Temple of Confucius, which the Capital of China gave the Mongols

When Mongols conquered China, after some time they realized that it would be nice to lean Chinese officials to their side. And then in the 1302-1306, they built and presented their new capital the temple of Confucius, the predecessor of the current one. The modern appearance of the temple acquired in 1906, when the CIN's doomed dynasty (remember the story of the evil Empress of the Chizy, who brought the empire to the collapse) decided to raise the authority of the church of Confucius to oppose his influence of Christianity.

By this time, we already walked around the courtyards and pavilions in the shade of century-old trees. I want to pay attention to 198 stone steals covered with hieroglyphic inscriptions.

They recorded the names and dates of the birth of all 51624 applicants who successfully passed the exams on the highest scientific degree "Jinshi", which gives the right to work at state posts.

And on the territory of the temple you can see the old cypress, fenced with a fence. He, by the way, more than 700 years old.

And in the era of Min (remember this empire - the kingdom of castrators) there was a story related to this tree. One minister made a ceremony of worship, during which the branch broken by a strong branch of the wind threw a black mesh hat from him (the distinguishing mark of his rank officials). He was not very good, and therefore people considered that this cypress could distinguish good from evil. And they gave Kiparis the name "Kiparis, strikes the vices."

By the way, there are a lot of very old trees in the temple. I was very impressed with wisteria.

These tree curly subtropical plants with large brushes of fragrant lilac flowers grow in my city. We plan them, so that their branches, thick with grape vines, chased the gazebo or crawled along the wall. And in the Temple of Confucius, I saw the incredible thickness of the trunks of these trees. How many did they see in their century?

The central structure of the temple is the Hall of the Great Achievement (Dachendyan), in which the emperors made the confusion worship ceremony.

The building was built in 1302, then burning, and was rebuilt in 1411. In 1906 it was expanded. The row roof is covered with glazed yellow tiles, the color of the imperial power. In the hall, Dachendyan reigns twilight.

The colors of the decoration prevails purple and half a bridal gilding. Under the ceiling installed boards with inscriptions that glorify the Confucius and his teaching. In the center of the hall installed the spirit of the spirit of the confusion, she was worshiped as the very confusion.

Before the steps of the hall there was some ceremony with the participation of a large group of Chinese teenagers dressed in vintage clothes. Perhaps it was a rehearsal of the presentation, recreating the situation of the "Great Sacrifice".

There is no country with which the modern Russian would come across more often than with the People's Republic of China. Goods even the highest quality on calibration turn out madeiN.China.The president declares a relationship with China priority for Russia, tea-taunas grow in Siberia. The presence of an Eastern neighbor becomes more and more tangible, and the need to understand it is increasingly pressing.

Dwells of great success. One of the Central Buildings in the Temple Complex Confucius in Beijing

But China is impossible to understand, without becoming acquainted with his religion. China without Confucius is still that Russia without Pushkin.

"Once in China, you must certainly drive on the famous places of the ancient wiser of Confucius," I sat down with this thought in the general train car heading to Shandong Province. Have you watched a movie about civil war? So the Chinese "common car" is something similar. Bales. Ten places in one row. People lie and stand in the aisles. Tambura are clogged by crowds of passengers under the string.

In the carriage at me, at first they looked at the negro in a deaf Siberian village. What, they say, for a wild foreigner among an honest Asian Luda? Communication went uphill when the people realized that I was going to the homeland of Confucius, to the city of Tsyufu. On the indescribable mixture of Chinese, English and Russian words, travelers began to talk about their love for Coon Tzu (so local residents call confusion). The Harbinets student said that he remembers the ancient sayings about the worship of the elders. The company laid down the game to explain to me the road to the famous Palace Yanshängun-Fu. I showed them the Orthodox Cross: Christians, they say, Confucius is also interesting. Already before reaching the night side, the friendship of peoples went so far that we all the road collective farms without a single gram of alcohol sing "Moscow Region". Who is such Confucius? Why does the mention of it on the Chinese land allows you to melt the icy distrust in communicating with strangers?

Without theology

Two and a half thousand years ago, August 27, 551 to R. Kh., Baby appeared. In China, it was a time of scattering and moral decay. The Great Empire Dynasty Shan and Zhou broke into numerous, fighting small kingdoms among themselves. The authority of the central government was close to zero. Local lists mostly cared only about their enrichment, the simple people thought ... The boy was the son of a 63-year-old official Shulyan He and 17-year-old concubine named Yan Zhengzay. The official soon passed away, and Yan Zhengzay, together with his son, left the house in which he was born. Despite the noble origin, Confucius worked a lot and lived in poverty. At the age of 17, he served as a state official, the keeper of the barn. Soon the cattle of states Lu was accepted soon. "Bulls and sheep must be well fattening - here is my concern," these were the words of the sage. Later he taught others: "Do not worry about what you do not take a high post. It is worked out about whether you serve in the place where you are. "

After the death of Mother, Confucius resigned and focused on the study of the ancient Chinese wisdom and rituals. By 30 years, he decided to gain students and create his own school. Teacing has become a real vocation of a young man. Then it will be called Kun-Fu Tzu (Kun-Tzu), which means "teacher from the kind of koon". Chinese culture will forever contact his name. It was his teaching that his teaching will help to write a century-rewarded imperium.

In Beijing, confusion from the 13th century is worshiped in this place.

Confucius did not like to talk about himself, he described his whole life path in several lines:

"At the age of 15, I turned my thoughts to the teaching.

At 30, I found a solid foundation.

At 40, I managed to get rid of doubts.

At 50, I learned the will of the sky.

At 60, I learned to distinguish the truth from lies.

At 70, I began to follow the call of my heart and did not violate the ritual. "

Every day the temple of Confucius and Beijing visits many tourists

The most famous sayings "Master Kuna" are recorded by his students and are collected in the book "Lun Yu" ("Conversations and judgments"), which became a particularly revered book of Confucianism. I remember most of all this is a prophetic place from the 24th verse of the fifteenth chapter "Lun Yu":

"[Student] Tzu-Gong asked:

- Do there be one such word that could be followed all my life?

The teacher answered:

- Is that compassion? What you won't wish yourself, do not and other. "

Altar in the Beijing Temple of Confucius. Peaceful victims were brought here in honor of the great teacher and his followers. It is believed that the hieroglyphs are written by Chinese emperors

Chinese sayings were recorded in the V century before the Nativity of Christ. Compare them with the revelation of the Lord Prophet Moses on the Sinai Mountain in about the XIII century to R. X: "... Love your neighbor, like yourself. I am the Lord "(Lev. 19, 18). Or with the words of Jesus Christ: "So, in everything, as you wish, in order to come to people, so do you and you with them, for this law and prophets" (MF. 7: 12). What is Israel, that the ancient China is the commandment of God and the same. In Asia, the Lord invested her in the mouth of the righteous teacher of Confucius.

Starting a century after the death of the teacher, his followers formulated "three guidelines" and "five permanent rules". The first and main principle is the subordination of subjects to the ruler. Then follows the principle of the subordination of the son of his father and wife to her husband. Five Rules voiced the most important Confucian virtues: humanity (HEN), righteousness (s), ritual or decent (Lee), wisdom (Ji) and loyalty (blue). All these traditional instructions have become the official ideological basis of Chinese society at all levels, from social and personal situations to global political conflicts.

You read Confucius and clearly understand that he consciously avoided theological issues. He did not tend to the subtleties in the understanding of the Divine. He taught how to live righteously and how righteously manage others: "The teacher rarely spoke about the benefit, the will of the sky and humanity" (Lun Yu, 1: 9). To us, Christians, you can also safely take a lot from the moral teachings of the Ancient Chinese sage. See yourself.

"Teacher said:

- Virtue is not lonely, it will certainly have neighbors "(Lun Yu, 4: 25).

Rev. Seraphim Sarovsky said:

- Mirena spirits, and thousands of around you will be saved.

What is happening? Sage of Confucius is the Chinese Forerunner of Christianity? The thought is seductive. Many generations of missionaries tried to apply it in practice.

Confucians do memory of the four great disciples of the great teacher. "Tail" in their honor are on the right and to the left of the main "altar"

The Chinese were inconvenient

The first contact between Confucianism and Christianity, most likely, occurred during the Tang Dynasty, when the ancient Christian neutorian heretics came to China through Persia. Evidence of this event engraved on Stone Stella, which was erected in 781 and excavated in 1623. According to the inscriptions of the Nestorian priest Adam, Syrian Nestorian Aloben arrived together with priests in the Tansk capital Changan (current Xi'an) in 635. He was welcomed by the Prime Minister. He was assumed to receive to the emperor. Three years later, the metropolitan Christian Monastery of Datsin (or the "Church of Persia" was founded. Nestorian Christianity was looking for support in Confucianism, especially in his ethical teaching. In the translations of biblical books, ten Lord of the commandments were paraphrased. The first four commandments were generalized as "people must read and be afraid of the Heavenly Father." The remaining six were concentrated on the sown reverence of parents (the main position of Confucianism). Nestorian combined the ministry to the ruler, parents and God in the triune demand for believers. To consolidate in the political system of Confucian China, Nestorian introduced rituals of worship of the emperor and installed the statues of the tanning emperors in places of worship.

This is how the altar of Confucius looks like

Nestoriance flourished around the country about two hundred years. However, by the end of the Tang Dynasty, imperial tolerance to "foreign religions" was exhausted. In 845, mass processes began on "barbaric cults" - Buddhism, non-traditional and other ingenic beliefs. According to documentary sources of those times, more than two thousand Nestorian missionaries were sent from the Criminal Empire.

The contacts of the Christian world with China ceased to many centuries. Only during the time of the Mongolian dynasty yuan in Beijing again appeared believers in Christ. However, European Christians of that time almost did not know anything about the teachings of Confucius. The situation has changed in the XVII century thanks to Italian Matteo Ricci. From 1597, he headed the spiritual mission of Jesuits throughout the continental China. In the preaching of Catholicism Ricci made a bet on the educated elite of the East and to the "localization" of Christianity for Chinese society. It was a brilliant project!

Church of Confucius in Quifu. One of the attractions of Tsuifu is the palace of descendants of Kun Tzu. For two years after the death of the teacher, the ruler of the state Lu decided to arrange the temple on the spot. And to care for the temple instructed the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Confucius. A century later, each emperor sought to glorify the memory of the great sage in his own way. The temple premises became more pompous, well, the direct descendants of Confucius continued to live near the grave of their famous Fatherhood, receiving more and more new titles and privileges. Manor and Temple occupied most of the area of \u200b\u200bmedieval citigu

The Jesuit monk introduced Chinese courts with the latest technical innovations of the time. He perfectly studied the language and written culture of the new country. In his appearance, nothing resembled the pompous papal legats with shameless chins and tops. He let go long beard and changed Western clothes to the venue of the scientist Confucian. Matteo Ricci did not imagine her faith as something foreign or new. Instead, he taught that Chinese culture and people always kept faith in a true God. Christianity is just the most advanced expression of ancient faith. Therefore, the Chinese Lord of Heaven (Tian Zhu) is Jesus Christ. Ricci supported the traditions of honing ancestors.

Temple of Confucius in Quifui from the inside

Such a sermon brought him the glory of a large scientist under the Imperial Palace. Christians became the educated people of the Minsk dynasty. They believed that Christianity was what the rulers of the oldest Zhou and Confucius dynasty were taught. The Catholic Church entrenched in China. Ricci was buried with the honors in Beijing. His grave has been preserved until now and is guarded by the state.

However, a mutual fit between Catholics and Confucians would not long lasts after the death of an outstanding missionary. From the Chinese side critical voices against Christians began to be heard: "The fact that these barbarians are considered good and evil, contradicts the true meaning of the statements of our saints and wise men." On the other hand, the Vatican also believed that in the "localization" of the Christ, Ricci, went beyond the limits of possible. In 1704 and 1715, Pope issued decrees about the inadmissibility of reverence of Confucius and worship ancestors. To power in Beijing, in the meantime, a new Qing dynasty came. Emperor Kansey, in turn, published in 1720 decree on the ban on the work of Western missionaries in the country. This was the end of the most famous attempt to combine together Confucianism and Christian faith.

We have a lot in common

The Russian Orthodox Spiritual Mission in China appeared in Beijing at the beginning of the XVIII century. The spiritual bump of descendants of Russian prisoners and diplomatic worries did not leave time to find a common language with Confucianism. The attitude to the state Chinese ideology was rather skeptic.

Apricot gazebo. According to legend, it was at this place of Confucius who conducted conversations with students

So, in 1858, the head of the 13th Mission Archimandrite Palladium (Kafarov) wrote about Confucianism, that it "above all the political morality", "deprived of spirituality, and at the same time flows into rude superstitions," introduces deep egoism, "and "The relatively high rules of its moral philosophy developed in it predetermined self-consciousness and surrender and approved it in self-priority." By calling the appeal to Christianity from the Confucian's caste "difficult and fragile", Palladium warned that the Chinese government in the present form would never come to Christianity, so for the Orthodox, which had no big suspicion for themselves in China, it would not be without struggle. "In fact, maybe there can be peace and communication between the life-minded faith our our and stagnation of Confucianism; Between Christian enlightenment and the dilapidated basics of the government system of sparing China? Sooner or later, Confucianism, this Pan of East Asia should fall before the power of the cross, along with the paganism, as on the phenomenon of the Savior, according to the testimony of tradition, Pan of classical world. "

Confucius grave in Tsyufu

With such allegations you can argue. The history of Orthodoxy is full of examples when we firmly confessed dogmas, but at the same time they absorbed and spiritually transformed the best achievements of the national culture of other countries. You need to cut off the grains from the tree.

Also with Confucianism. The rejection of archimandrite palladium can be understood. Official ideology could produce the most unfavorable impression. The living doctrine of moral and social perfection was simply used for the pseudomething design of the actions of those who were in the public service. Pravddolyubtsy and the wise men were forced to coexist with women and hypocrites.

Here is the grandson of Confucius. After the victory of the Chinese Revolution in 1949, the estates and palaces of Confucian relatives moved to the state's property. The museum was arranged on their territory. There I read that now there are 82 generations of direct descendants of Master Coon Tzu. A documented genealogical tree has now 4 million descendants of Confucius. Many of them emigrated to Japan, Korea, Singapore, Europe and America. The official head of the genus (this title is transmitted from one older grandson to another) is in Taiwan. Of the 600 thousand inhabitants of Tsuif, 100 thousand are descendants of Confucius. Amazing!

However, the love of Confucius to the history of the native people, his personal righteousness and tireless love for the teaching are worthy of all imitation. "The teacher said: I handed out what I was taught, not writing my own; I believe in antiquity and love her sincerely. " (Lun Yu, 7: 1). Recently, on the example of this phrase, I had to explain the importance of the sacred legend to familiar Chinese Christians. Look, even the most important teacher of the subwayed empire tried not to invent the discard, but studied the traditions of the ancestors and passed them to his disciples. So in the church you need to keep the symbol of faith and the patristic legends. Not forgetting, of course, about the Holy Scriptures. By the way, the religious cult of the "great teacher" arose a few centuries after his death. Nowadays, he is closely intertwined with Taoism and Buddhism. Of course, this side of Confucianism will never take it.

And yet, in the main Christian principle of love for God and man, it is easy for us to find a common language with admirers of the Great Chinese Wisdom. Mainic Tzu, one of the main thinkers of early Confucianism wrote that the beginning of all virtues is in the human heart. Only following his heart, a person can become truly human and righteous. After Maine Tzu, most of the Confucians agree on the thoughts on the initial kindness of human nature. If this kindness is cherished as a sprout in the garden, then the soul will definitely grow into a beautiful blooming tree, complete virtues.

Confucius worship is especially distributed among Chinese students and officials

And another interesting moment. Neoconfutsians have the practice of peculiar silent prayer, quiet seating in the concentration of the mind on the spiritual heart. Following this path, every person can know the essence of things and become a sage. Well, the sage always seeks unity with heaven.

For many years it was believed that Confucianism survives only thanks to the status of state ideology. But the subwayed empire collapsed, and Confucius's teaching continues to live. It survived the period of persecution during the years of Maosma and again gains strength. To make sure it is enough to just stand at the grave of Coon Tzu and consider the number of delegations arriving here with an endless string. It's funny that some Chinese schoolchildren and students in this queue I have seen crosses on your chest. Confucius for them is not to interfere with faith in the Savior of Christ.

Deacon Alexy Cherkasov

REFERENCE

Deacon Alexy Cherkasov - cleric of the Orthodox Church in America.

Currently lives in Beijing and has been working at the local branch of Microsoft. Hears church obedience at the Assumption Church on the territory of the Russian Embassy in the PRC.

Mountains Cinchanshan (Province of Sichuan, i.e. "Four Flows") are among the five most picturesque mountainous arrays of China. Their name is translated as "Green Fortress". Mountains consist of 36 majestic vertices, whose slopes are covered with thick evergreen forest and bamboo thickets. Here, on the background of amazing landscapes, in the VI-V centuries. BC. One of the Chinese traditional religions was born - Taoism. The list of UNESCO objects is also included here, an ancient irrigation system of Dujianjiang, created in III century. BC. The river, which is the left influx of Yangtze - the largest river of the country. This irrigation system, which served as a model for the creation of irrigation systems in other parts of China, is also valid in our time.

Mount Tishan ("Great Mountain") is one of the five sacred mountains of China, which is associated with the Chinese with the sunrise. She is located in Shandong Province ("east of the mountain"), about 400 km south of Beijing. At the foot of the mountain is the city of Tsyufu - the Motherland of the Ancient Chinese philosopher of Confucius (VI-V centuries. BC). The highest peak of the Sacred Mountain - Peak Jade Emperor (1545 m). The temple of the Divine Mount Tai at the top of Taishan became the place of pilgrimage of emperors since the Qin Dynasty (III century. BC). From the foot of the mountain to its top, the Chinese rulers climbed the stone staircase consisting of more than 7,000 steps. The length of this path is about 10 km. On the mountain, 22 temple has been preserved, about one hundred raspords, 800 stone plates and more than 1000 rock paintings and inscriptions. Here is the largest temple complex of China - Daimäo (III century. BC).

(Shandong Province) were erected in V c. BC. By decree of the ruler of the kingdom Now the complex of buildings, known as the Temple of Confucius, includes more than a hundred buildings. The temple is surrounded by a red brick wall, framed by memorial arches and decorated with corner towers. The sacred Confucian texts are closed in the famous Lubi wall. In the main hall - the statue of the Sitting Confucius, in his hands he has a skid for records. Place of burial of the philosopher - Grove Confucius, here the graves of more than 100 thousand of his descendants. The small house of the kun family has become over time in an aristocratic residence, which includes over 150 buildings forming a huge Palace Complex.

Located in the south-east of China, on the border of the provinces of Fujian ("region of rivers") and Jiangxi ("To the west of the river"). Mountain ridge, consisting of 36 vertices, almost all year round is shrouded in fog. Despite the fact that the Wishan Mountains are not counted on the five sacred mountains of China, they are rightly recognized as one of the most picturesque Chinese mining systems. The secluded beauty of these places for many centuries attracted Buddhist monks and Taoi pilgrims. The founder of neoconfucianism Zhu Si lived in these places and opened two schools here. There are many vintage temples and monasteries in the mountains, as well as the Ruins of the Prince of Dynasty Han (I century). On the sheer cliffs, the Jiusjusi River can see "hanging coffins", the oldest of which about four thousand years. This is the most ancient rock coffin in the world. It is believed that the custom of keeping the ancestors in the suspended coffins has developed at the local population in the era of Neolithic.

Located in the south-east of China, in the province of Jiangxi. Mountains Lushan is one of the spiritual centers of the Chinese civilization. Picturesque landscapes of these places for many centuries attracted monks, thinkers, poets and artists. The founders of Taoism and Buddhism created their first schools here. About 400 ancient buildings have been preserved to this day. The richest culture of the mountains of Lushan complements their diverse nature.

Small, according to Chinese standards, the town of Tsyufu (his population is only about 700 thousand people), which is in the north of Shandong province, it would be left for anyone, if not known to anyone if not one of his famous residents - Confucius. Here are three architectural and parks related to the name. The church of the confusion - Kunmyo (Church of Confucius), a generic manor of the Confucius and his descendants - Kunfu (Kunov's manor) and the cemetery of the kun - Kunlin ("Forest Kunov"). Every year, millions of pilgrims and tourists come to Tsyuhi to see the place of life and serving a great man and a philosopher, honor him to remember and worship his grave.

It is not surprising that for the participants of the information tour of the Cene Trevel organized by the company with the direct participation of the Main Directorate for Tourism, Shandong, a visit to Tsuifa was obligatory.

Probably there are some people who have not heard of Confucius. This ancient Chinese philosopher and thinker, through the philosophical system founded by him, now known as Confucianism, has had a huge impact on life in China and all Southeast Asia, and determined its course for centuries. Not being religion, Confucianism reached the status of state ideology. This status is in one way or another remains so far, along with Buddhism and Taoism.

Quifu - the city in which the mother Kun Tsyu was born (real name Confucius). Here, after the death of the Father, the future philosopher spent the years of his youth, here the last years of life, learning people and systematizing their works.

Temple of confuction worship

A small temple complex of three wooden buildings dedicated to the Confucius was founded in Quifu his followers two years after the death of the teacher in 478 to N.E. The complex was located approximately in the place where Confucius taught.

In the consequence, for two and a half thousand years, the complex was repeatedly rebuilt and reached the moment of huge sizes.

It happened mainly because each of the eleven attending the complex, the emperors of China wanted to leave the memory of themselves in the form of temples, triumphant entrance gates and other buildings. Along with the increase in the number of buildings, the complex area increased.

Today it takes more than 20 hectares, has 9 yards interconnected by numerous gates and pavilions, there are 466 separate rooms, and 54 memorial arches.

The final appearance of the temple ensemble acquired in the XIV - XVII centuries. Subsequently seriously suffered from the fire, but was restored in 1725.

Generic manor Confucius

The descendants of Confucius lived next to the temple complex dedicated to him, practically, from the moment of its foundation. But only in 1055, after the award, the descendant of Confucius in the 46th generation of Title "Yanshhan-Gong" - "The successor of the genus from generation to generation", their generic manor has become truly a palace ensemble. The descendants of the older grandson lived here in a straight line of the heirs of Confucius.

In 1935, the last of the carriers of the title "Yanshhen Gong", the descendant of Confucius in the 77th generation, left it. By the time the estate ranked 160 thousand square meters and numbered 480 buildings. In this form, it arrives and now.

All household buildings are built in characteristic of traditional Chinese architecture style. Its device reflects the life of the feudal society of that time. The manor is a fortress with a defensive wall, a labyrinth from the courtyards, transitions and galleries. As it was laid at the time, the entire estate is divided into men's and female half.

In addition to residential premises, the estate includes a large garden with various fruit and decorative trees.

In the entire history of China there was not a single kind, which for 1000 years had invariably used such a high public situation as the genus Confucius.

Cemetery of the Coon and Confucius Grave

Not far from the Confucius estate there is a generic cemetery of the kind of kun (descendants of Confucius). Here is the grave of the teacher himself. True, the dust Confucius was transferred here only twenty years after his death.

The son of Confucius, grandson and even more than 100 thousand of his descendants are resting at the cemetery. The giant man-made park complex, on which the cemetery is currently exceeding the territory of two square kilometers.

As we have already said earlier, the cemetery has more than 100 thousand graves. Many of them are decorated with tombstones, statues, and steles with epitaphs.

At the time of the cultural revolution in China, Hongweibins (Krasnogvardeys), the grave of Confucius was opened. There was no body in the burial. Whether the body of Confucius was copied, or he never had it in this grave at all - a story silent.

Interesting is the fact that today any Chinese host the surname is a descendant of Confucius. And, as a descendant of Confucius has the right to be buried on this cemetery. True, for this, he or his relatives should pay in the treasury 200 yuan, the body of the deceased should be cremated, and no commemorative board is installed on the burial site.

And on this park cemetery, blue forties live. There are no such birds anywhere else. It is said that this soul descendants of Confucius guard him.

Vadim Lisetsky - Fijet journalist