There are two main scriptures that Confucian people follow. The two scriptures are the Four Books of Confucianism and the Five Classics. The book that is most known and most followed is the Analects. The Analects are saying and ideas of Confucius. The Analects are one of the most studied books in China. The Analects were originally part of the Five Classics but then people thought it was more important so it was moved to the Four Books of Confucianism.
Figure 4.1
The Four Books of Confucianism are the Great Learnings, Analects, Book of Mencius, and Doctrine of the Mean.
Great Learnings- Uses many themes of Chinese philosophy and also uses themes of political thinking.
Analects- Confucius saying and ideas.
Book of Mencius- Teachings of Mencius.
Doctrine of the Mean- Demonstrates how using the Golden Way can help achieve perfect virtue.
Figure 4.2
The Five Classics are Classic of History, Classic of Poetry, Classic of Rites, Classic of Changes, and Spring and Autumn Annals..
Classic of History (Shu Ching)- A collection of documents and speeches that were claimed to be written by rulers of the Zhou period.
Classic of Poetry (Shih Ching)- A collection of 305 poems that are broken up into 160 folk songs.
Classic of Rites (Li Ching)- Describes prehistoric rites, social forms, and the court ceremonies.
Classic of Changes (I Ching)- A comparison book that compares other religion and countries to Confucianism.
Spring and Autumn Annals (Ch'un Ching)- A historical record of Lu (Place where Confucius was born).
Figure 4.3 The Four Books of Confucianism in the Good Earth
This video shows the Four Books of Confucianism and gives some background information about them. These four books are important to Confucianism and its followers.
This video shows the Four Books of Confucianism and gives some background information about them. These four books are important to Confucianism and its followers.