Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of the early Chinese sage Confucius. It is a complex system of moral, social, political and religious which had tremendous influence on the history of Chinese civilization down to the centuries.
Confucianism, dated back some two thousand years, is practiced widely throughout the country. Confucius believed that a successful society had to be regulated according to duties and privileges, so he devised a hierarchy of responsibility based on social realities. Thus a ruler is to be obeyed but he also had to take care of his people. In like manner, men have moral duties to their wives and children, who respond with loyalty and devotion. Although this could lead to stifling conformity, the system creates a civil service of educated, usually competent and mostly honest men.
Though not being a formal religion, the Confucianism has deeply rooted in the Chinese mind. And it also enshrines the practice of filial piety, a key factor in both Buddhism and Daoism.
