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Confucius, or as the Vietnamese call him, Khong Tu, was an ancient Chinese teacher-philosopher whose wisdom had a huge impact on Asian cultures that can still be seen today. Confucius lived from about 551 to 479 B.C. travelling around speaking about how to restore a better way of life by mastering five basic relationships. These were subject to monarch, husband to wife, child to parent, oldest child to youngest child and friend to friend. He stressed obedience to authority, morality and ethics in leadership as well as education and the importance of the family. The commemoration of ancestors was a major part of Confucius' teachings. He taught that people must be loyal but that an emperor must rule with wisdom and compassion rather than through fear of force. The founding Nguyen Emperor, Gia Long was a devoted follower of the teachings of Confucius. Rituals were upheld to be of great importnance in adding solemnity, dignity and respect in government and family actions. The fact that people from Korea to Vietnam are still influenced by the teachings of Confucius is proof of the wisdom and truth in his words. |
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