$JES 911 Essence of World Religions Reference Book

Author(s): Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 43

Essence of World Religions
He taught the importance of harmony in the family, order in the state, and peace in the Empire. Teachings emphasize a code of conduct, self cultivation and propriety, and thus the attainment of social and national order. Stress is more on human duty and the ideal of the "superior man" than on a divine or suprämundane reality. Still Confucius fasted, worshipped the ancestors, attended sacrifices, and sought to live in harmony with Heaven.
Beliefs
There is a presence of the Supreme Ruler in all things, and in Heaven as the ethical principle, whose law is order, impersonal and yet interested in mankind.
The purpose of life is to pursue an orderly and reverent existence in accord with "Li," propriety or virtue, so as to become the superior man.
The Golden Rule: Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you.
Confucius, China's first sage is the master of life whose teachings embody the most profound understanding of earth and Heaven, and that Mencius is China's second sage.
The writings of Confucius are a scriptural truth. The four sacred books are; The Analects, Doctrine of the Mean, Great Learning, and Writings of Mencius.
Each man has five relationships entailing five duties to his fellow man: to his ruler, to his parents and children, to his wife, to his brothers and sisters, and to his friend. The foremost is doing his familial duties.
Man is a master of his own life and fate, free to conduct himself as he wills, and that he should cultivate qualities of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and sincerity.
The family is the most essential institution among men, and religion should support the family and the state.
Symbols
This is the Chinese sign for Water. It symbolizes the life giving
source.
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