Do you think Confucianism is a religion in China's traditional culture? Please combine the main characteristics of Confucianism to demonstrate your point of view.

In Chinese, the meaning of religion is different from that of western religions. Chinese words can usually be understood word by word. For example, the word "religion" can be said that "religion" refers to the purpose and interests of religion, that is, the meaning of an end. "Zong" also refers to sacrifice, that is, the ritual of ancient people offering sacrifices to their ancestors. And "teaching" is education and enlightenment. Therefore, the existence of "religion" means treating religion as religion. Education and teaching methods established for a single purpose can be said to be religion. But for more than two thousand years, Confucianism has not been said to be a religion. It was not until Buddhism was introduced into China that the word religion was widely used. In Buddhism, the word "teaching" means practicing. Modern people's understanding of religion mostly comes from western definitions. However, it would be arrogant and confusing to say whether Confucianism is a religion with western explanations.

Although Confucianism originated from Confucius, Confucius' career in that year was to revive the ethical code and the feudal system and sacrificial culture of the Zhou Dynasty. But this is just the so-called "means". The real core idea of Confucianism lies in "benevolence". Confucius often said "benevolence", but he did not give a clear definition of benevolence. That's because the word "benevolence" refers to people's original temperament, and Mencius called it "four hearts", that is, hiding the heart, shame and nausea, rebellious heart and right and wrong heart. Mencius said that four minds are convenient, which is more specific than Confucius' benevolence, but Confucius also has its profound meaning. The word "benevolence" needs to be understood and understood, and it needs to be felt from action and exercise to be accurately mastered, which is a bit like the "true face" of Zen. Confucius' teaching is eclectic, but it depends on the needs of students. Therefore, different students have different opinions when asking "benevolence". This is similar to Zen's "don't write, don't tell." Of course, Confucius was a thousand years earlier than Zen, which was a great success in China, so it should be said that the teaching method of Zen was greatly influenced by Confucianism. But if we say so, Confucius' teaching method is just like Zen, with no system, no fixed teaching plan and no definite definition. Confucianism, like Zen, should be "teaching others" and does not belong to any sect or practice. It can be said that in fact, Confucianism, at least in the era of Confucius and Mencius, does not have the characteristics of modern so-called "religion".

School at the end of the year.