2.
Authority.
The Five Classics Four of these area collection of ancient manuscripts edited by Confucius, with his commentary added. Confucius wrote the fifth classic. The Five Classics have for centuries formed the syllabus for secondary level education in China The Four Books Confucius own teachings as written by his disciples. For centuries, the 4 books have formed the syllabus for primary education in China
3.
God.
Confucius believed in the supernatural, but he did not know about God, except what he saw in nature pointing to God. Consider the teaching of Confucius
Look at heaven there. Does it speak The four seasons run their course and all things are produced. Does heaven speak Analects of Confucius, ch. 17, sect Given his limited knowledge of God, Confucius restricted his teachings mainly to what he could know from his ancestors and from observing man. This is much to his credit.
“Chi-lu asked how the spirits of the dead and the gods should be served. The master said,’You are notable to serve man. How can you serve the spirits May I ask about death You do not understand even life. How can you understand death Confucius, The Analects, Book XI, 12)
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