Source guides on Confucianism

Religion in East Asia: A source guide for reporters

This guide, part of a new series from ReligionLink focusing on different regions in global religion reporting, provides background, resources, relevant stories and sources to help journalists understand East Asia’s religious institutions, communities, histories and political contexts.

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Stylebook entries on Confucianism

Confucianism

A philosophy developed by Confucius, an influential Chinese teacher and scholar who lived in the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. His teachings, collected in the Analects, emphasize social harmony and moral obligation. Confucianism is a philosophy, not a religion.

Confucius

Chinese teacher and philosopher whose teachings are the foundation of Confucianism. See Confucianism.

Four Books, the

The fundamental teachings of Confucianism.

jen

In Confucianism, jen (pronounced “ren”) is the highest principle and translates to compassion and humanity derived from genuine love.

li

In Confucianism, li is a virtue focused on ritual and etiquette; it applies to everything from titles of respect to proper dress and behavior.

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