Confucianism

Confucianism 

    According to Strayer (2011), "For Confucianism, Family life had long been central to Chinese 

popular culture, expressed in the practice of ancestors veneration, including visiting the graves of 

the deceased, presenting them with offerings, and erecting commemorative tablets and shrines in 

their honor"(p.171) and "Confucius emphasized education as the key to moral betterment. He 

prescribed a broad liberal arts education emphasizing language, literature, history,philosophy and 

ethics, all applied to political problems of the government. Rituals and ceremonies were also 

important, for they conveyed the rules of appropriate behavior in the many and varying 

circumstances of life. For the "superior person," or "gentleman" in Confucian terms, this process of 

improvement involved serious personal reflection and a willingness to strive continuously to perfect 

his moral character."(p.170)       

    My grandmother is from Shanghai, China.  She was born in a time where Shanghai was not 

only a part of China but also a nationality, Shanghainese.  My grandmother would tell us stories 

about China and how it was growing up there.  To be honest, I am truly embarrassed on not 

knowing enough about Confucianism and Taoism when that is one of my heritage backgrounds.  I 

felt as if I should have paid more attention to my grandmother and her religious beliefs.  My 

grandmother would practice Confucianism and Taoism but believed in Jesus Christ which 

confused me.  She would have a shrine in her house and worship the lives of her loved ones.  She 

would always say, “Don’t do to others that you don’t want done to you”.  My grandmother, I felt 

had so much pride but it wasn’t pride, it was morals and values that the people of China had.  It 

didn’t matter what she was going through, she always believed in being harmonious and made a 

point to achieve social harmony with others.  Her thoughts always showed positive actions to her 

family and friends.  Everyone seemed to love my grandmother, she had so many friends that she 

would see every day.  She felt like respect and love was the key to all relationships. People all 

around the world would send her cards and she kept all of them!

    Confucianism is about being a superior person, man or woman.  It goes above and beyond

the inner self.  You have to respect yourself enough to be righteous so that others can always see

positive verses the negative.  Here in the United States we are told to respect our elders but 

Confucianism teaches you to respect and appreciate everyone's life. Being kind to others is the 

way of life.