Confucius

Also known as: Kongfuzi

551–479 BCE

Chinese

Social thinker. Like Buddhism, Confucianism began as a philosophy, based on the recorded sayings of the founder, but gradually evolved into a religion, and for many centuries was the state religion of China.

Confucian thought was very conservative, emphasizing the veneration of parents, ancestors, and state authorities. But it taught that parents or rulers should not be selfish or authoritarian, but rather aspire to a high standard of courtesy and conduct, and unselfishly work for the betterment of those below them.