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Zhouli, (Chinese: “Rites of Zhou”) Wade-Giles romanization Chou-li, also called Zhouguan (“Offices of Zhou”), one of three ancient ritual texts listed among the Nine, Twelve, and Thirteen Classics of Confucianism. Though tradition ascribed the text to the political figure Zhougong (flourished 12th century BC), the work is considered by modern scholars to have been an anonymous utopian “constitution” written perhaps about 300 BC. For many centuries Zhouli was joined to Liji (“Record of Rites”) and thus constituted one of the Six Classics (Liujing) of Chinese literature.

Influenced by legalist as well as Confucian ideas, Zhouli discusses government in general under the title “Offices of Heaven,” education under “Offices of Earth,” social and religious institutions under “Offices of Spring,” the army under “Offices of Summer,” justice under “Office of Autumn,” and population, territory, and agriculture under “Office of Winter.” In the 12th century Zhouli was given special recognition by being placed among the Six Classics as a substitute for the long-lost Classic of Music (Yuejing).

Confucianism, the way of life propagated by Confucius in the 6th–5th century BCE and followed by the Chinese people for more than two millennia. Although transformed over time, it is still the substance of learning, the source of values, and the social code of the Chinese. Its influence has also extended to other countries, particularly Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

Confucianism, a Western term that has no counterpart in Chinese, is a worldview, a social ethic, a political ideology, a scholarly tradition, and a way of life. Sometimes viewed as a philosophy and sometimes as a religion, Confucianism may be understood as an all-encompassing way of thinking and living that entails ancestor reverence and a profound human-centred religiousness. East Asians may profess themselves to be Shintōists, Daoists, Buddhists, Muslims, or Christians, but, by announcing their religious affiliations, seldom do they cease to be Confucians.

Although often grouped with the major historical religions, Confucianism differs from them by not being an organized religion. Nonetheless, it spread to other East Asian countries under the influence of Chinese literate culture and has exerted a profound influence on spiritual and political life. Both the theory and practice of Confucianism have indelibly marked the patterns of government, society, education, and family of East Asia. Although it is an exaggeration to characterize traditional Chinese life and culture as Confucian, Confucian ethical values have for well over 2,000 years served as the source of inspiration as well as the court of appeal for human interaction between individuals, communities, and nations in the Sinitic world.

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