Confucius National Outlook And View Of Religion Research

First, the paper interprets background of Confucianism from politics, nation and religion. Nation is an important problem that relates to social political order and religion relates to areas of people's consciousness. Therefore, Confucius must pay attention to the problems of nation and religion. They are important parts of Confucianism.The paper researches Confucius'view of nation and religion from modern view, so the paper studies what nation is and what view of nation is, what religion is and what view of religion is. Then the paper logically and carefully studies the origin, main contents and historical roles of Confucius'view of nation and religion (Chapterâ…¡-â…¢). The aim is to try to grasp Confucius'view of nation and religion comprehensively and correctly and fully understand the historical meanings of Confucius'view of nation and religion.Confucius'view of nation includes discussing Hua Yi by culture, 'Barbarians not revolt Hua','cultivating virtues to treat nations' These promote integration and assimilation of Chinese nation, and enhance cohesive and centripetal force of Chinese nation. Confucius' view of nation plays an important role in the pattern of diversity in unity of the Chinese nation. Confucius'view of nation has historical reasonableness and progressive nature. Confucius'view of religion includes thought of fatality and ghost. Confucius thinks heaven has natural attribute and it is natural heaven. And Confucius pays more attention to fatality. He presents'know fatality','fear fatality','a man can not be a gentleman if he doesn't know fatality', and so on. Confucius puts forward'respecting and far from Ghosts', and'sacrificing Ghosts as they are'. Confucius uses Ghosts to cultivate filial duty and uses Ghosts to serve people and society. Confucius'view of religion plays a critical role in molding Han nation's religious psychology and characteristics. Han nation's religious psychology and characteristics shows optimistic positive to life, regarding actual situation and inclusiveness. Starting point of Confucianism is benevolence. And this is creative. Confucius' view of nation and religion is based on benevolence. Because of benevolence, Confucius maintains that all nations are human beings and can be educated and influenced. Because of benevolence, Confucius claims'cultivating virtues to treat all nations'and opposes harsh penalties. Filial piety is a basic of benevolence. So Confucius advocates using Ghosts to cultivate filial piety, and this is the reason of'sacrificing Ghosts as they are'.Golden mean is an important part of Confucianism. Golden mean is applied and reflected in Confucius'view of nation and religion. Moreover, the paper interprets the important significance of Golden mean. (Chapter IV) First the paper explains the connotation of golden mean and its aim is to achieve harmony. Golden mean is criteria to solve many contradictions. Because of golden mean, Confucius distinguishes Hua Yi by culture not by race or blood relationship. So there is no genocide or apartheid in Chinese history. Confucius puts forward'cultivating virtues to treat all nations', but he also maintains preventing'people will neglect if policies loose'and should use a proper mixture of severity and gentleness. On problem of religion, Confucius emphasizes both fatality and human affairs. Confucius doesn't unilaterally maintain fatality or human affairs and they should be harmonized. Confucius expresses golden mean on Ghosts particularly. The first thing is human affairs but Confucius doesn't abandon Ghosts entirely. Human beings and Ghosts should keep an adequate degree of tension. Human beings should treat Ghosts reasonably because of golden mean. Both Chinese thinkers and Western thinkers praise highly golden mean. But golden mean doesn't bring profound influence in Western. Golden mean becomes Chinese thinking mode.At present, the problem of nation and religion is important factor that influent peace and development in the world. Confucius'view of nation and religion still has reference meaning for national and religious problems in the world. The present values of Confucius'view of nation and religion are spirit of reason and idea of harmony (Chapter V). The goal is to explain Confucius'view of nation and religion has not only historical progress but also practical significance.The theme is peace and development in the world currently. The problems of nation and religion in the world presently are main variables that affect stability and social order in home country and peace and development in the world. The successful experiences of problem of nation and religion in Chinese history provide apotheosis for the world. All countries should have reasonable spirit to tackle national and religious problems and the final aim is to achieve harmony. Harmony is the essence of Confucius'thoughts and Chinese traditional culture. It is the most beautiful state. And harmony is the common will of all people in the world. All countries should try to create harmonious atmosphere and maintain peace and development in the world.At last, the paper reviews the points and reflects the values of Confucianism. Confucianism is one of excellent cultures in the world and this is common understanding of many foreigners of insight.