Religion and Culture A set of beliefs and practices that guide our lives. Usually has a supreme being or God. Religion explains what happens to us when we die.

India What major religion did they practice? What system did India have in place for social classes? How would that impact your daily life?

China Major Religions: How do these beliefs impact daily life?

DAOISM (or Taoism) From China Started by Lao Tsu in 600 B.C. Believe that the way to happiness is for people to learn to “go with the flow” Taught everything had a life force Ying and Yang Yin= dark side- moon, death Yang= light side- sun, birth Ying and Yang need to be balanced Tsu was against too many rules and laws- he thought people should make their own decisions

WHY BUDDHISM? People in China were attracted to Buddhism during the Period of Disunion  Who can remember what was happening during that time? People were troubled and Buddhism offered comfort by teaching that people could escape suffering and achieve peace

BUDDHIST BELIEFS Buddhists worship in temples housing a statue of Buddha, many temples were built in China Tang dynasty temple

BELIEFS BELIEFS teaches that suffering is unavoidable people can end suffering by reaching enlightenment- Nirvana follow the eight-fold path to reach enlightenment Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration

CHINA & BUDDHISM CHINA & BUDDHISM During the Sui and Tang dynasties Buddhism grew and spread Chinese missionaries spread Buddhism to Japan, Korea and other Asian islands influenced art, literature and architecture Buddhism was so important that the period from is called the “Age of Buddhism”

WHY CONFUCIANISM? Scholars and historians liked Confucianism because they thought it would improve society Confucius’ ideas lost influence, but became popular again in China during the Song dynasty -this is called neo-Confucianism, -neo= new Neo-Confucianism blended ethics with spirituality

BELIEFS IN CONFUCIANISM Confucius believed in ethics, or proper behavior, for individuals and governments People should live their lives according to two principles 1.Concern for others (ren) 2.Appropriate behavior (li) Everyone has a role to play in society For example, young people should obey their elders and follow the rules!!

CONFUCIANISM & CHINA had a religious and governmental role China created a bureaucracy of civil servants to work for the government To be a civil servant you had to pass a test on Confucianism and other topics If you passed you became a scholar-official Scholar-officials were admired for their smarts and ethics Look at page 178 in your text

What influence did India and China have on the modern world?