Confucianism: Important Vocabulary Terms and Concepts (***for REL 125: refer to "Exam Review" links at bottom of REL 125 syllabus)

Shang Dynasty
Chou Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
Shang Ti (God on High)
T'ien Ming (son of heaven; the carrier of the mandate of heaven)
Categories of supernatural beings (Shen/Guei/Ancestors)
Necromancy
Kung Fu Tze
Ren (human-heartedness)
Chun Tze (the noble person)
Li (ritual propriety, human social relation, divine principle)
Ch'i (life force, material reality)
The Five Constant Relationships
Cheng Ming (The Rectification of Names)
Xiao (Filial Piety )
The Analects
Neo-Confucianism
Right Doing/Right Being

Discussion Questions (***for REL 125: refer to "Exam Review" links at bottom of REL 125 syllabus)

1. Explain the characteristics and elements of traditional Chinese religious consciousness and practice.  In what ways do these beliefs demonstrate a kind of reflective balance between the earthly and heavenly realms?

2. Define and explain the concept of Li in terms of a) its pre-Confucian meaning, b) its Confucian meaning, and c) its Neo-Confucian meaning.

3. Compare and contrast Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism.  What was the Neo-Confucianist movement trying to achieve and why?

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