If the content, form and social function of Confucianism are comprehensively investigated, I think there are six important historical development stages of Confucianism in China. Of course, if we want to subdivide it, we can still divide it into several small development stages in each of these six development stages, but this is not the focus of this paper. Below, I will summarize my thoughts on the historical development of Confucianism as follows:
First, the first stage of the development of Confucianism in China, the embryonic stage of Confucianism, the origin of Confucianism in the Duke of Zhou.
Duke Zhou, son of King Wen, brother of King Wen, surnamed Ji Mingdan. He died shortly after he replaced Zhou and was transferred to his son. Assisted by Duke Zhou. The word "Confucianism" first appeared in Sima Qian's Historical Records. Biography of the Ranger: "Lu people all use Confucianism, and the Zhujiajian family is famous for its chivalry." The meaning is very clear, that is to say, the pre-Qin period in Lu was the place where Confucianism prevailed. At that time, Lu was ruled by Confucianism at the level of cultural system. This is the same as when Han Qulu, a doctor in the State of Jin, went to see a doctor. After reading the book, he sighed: "It's all in Lu!" Happens to coincide. This also clearly shows the close relationship between "Zhou Li" and "Confucianism". It can also be said that Confucianism is Zhou Li's social practice mode and the inheritance and extension of his historical practice of governing the country.
The first generation of King Li of Lu, because of the special position of Duke Zhou in the Western Zhou Dynasty, gave the kings of the Western Zhou Dynasty "ritual and music conquest" and "under the world, isn't it the land of kings? The concepts of "territory is not just a monarch and a minister" and "respecting relatives" practice the mode of governing the country. Later, the emperors of Lu followed suit one after another, so Lu kept Zhou's rule of etiquette relatively completely. This is what later generations call Confucianism. It should be said that the mainstream society in Shandong at that time was very convinced of Confucianism, and its cultural and institutional influence took root and blossomed in the soil of Shandong, affecting the cultivation of Confucian scholars from generation to generation, including Confucius, who was born and raised here. So Confucius founded Confucianism according to Zhou Li's content. Therefore, when it comes to Confucianism in Zhou Li, people can't help but think of Confucianism. When it comes to Confucianism, people can't help but think of The Analects, which serves as a link between the past and the future. There is a saying that The Analects of Confucius was originally a collection of speeches when Confucius taught students to study the Rites of Zhou. Confucius didn't write it before his death, but his students made it up. The central content of all the set sentences is the same as that of the western Zhou dynasty "ritual system", and their thinking ideas come down in one continuous line.