Confucianism has been the chief cultural influence of China for centuries. The teachings of Confucius were never intended to be a religion. It has no revelatory sacred writings, no priesthood, no doctrine of an afterlife, and frowned on asceticism and monasticism. Later Confucius was deified and raised to the rank of Emperor and Co-assessor with the deities in Heaven and Earth. Official animal sacrifices were made at the tomb of Confucius for centuries. Confucianism: An Introduction

Confucianism is one of the three traditional Chinese religions besides Taoism and Buddhism. According to early Japanese writings, it was introduced to Japan via Korea in the year 285 AD. Some of the most important Confucian principles are humanity, loyality, morality and consideration on an individual and political level

Confucianism and Taoism Digital Texts Resources

Early Confucianism

Later Confucianism) 

Confucian Lexicon (in Chinese) and Images (Lao Sze-kwang)

Confucius (a pretty good general site)

Confucian E-texts (Chinese texts)

Confucius Publ. Co. (a few texts, lots of pictures)

Confucius 2000  in Chinese only

Classic of Songs (Shijing / Shih Ching: English Introduction, Chinese Preface by Zhu Xi / Chu Hsi, text in Chinese and English)

Zuo Zhuan (Tso-chuan) excerpts

The "Four Books" (Analects, Great Learning, The Mean, Mencius):

James Legge's translations (late 19th c.)

Charles Muller's translations (late 20th c.)

The Analects (in English with Chinese text, from Confucius Publishing Co., trans. uncredited)

The Twenty-Four Paragons of Filial Piety

Partial translation by Lydia Gerber

Complete translation by Dharma Master Heng Sure

Biographies of Exemplary Women (Lieh-nü chuan, with English introduction, Chinese text, and illustrations)

Pan Chao (Ban Zhao), author of Lessons for Women

Zhang Zai / Chang Tsai: "The great benefit of learning is to enable one to transform the physical nature by oneself."

"The World of Thought in Chu Hsi's Time," by Julia Ching (pdf file)

Confucianism and Ecology, by Mary Evelyn Tucker

Confucianism and Modernity, by Tu Wei-ming

"Asian Values," by Nathan Glazer

Confucius: At the Dawn of Chinese Humanism (in French): exhibit at the Musee Guimet, Paris, 10/29/03 - 3/15/04

NY Times article

Atlantic Monthly article (April 1999) about recent books, Manufacturing Confucianism and The Original Analects

Confucian Temples (Thomas Wilson, Hamilton College)

Tainan Confucian Temple (photos)

Annual ritual for Confucius (2-minute video, produced by ROC govt.)

Hanoi Confucian Temple (pictures and short description)