Chinese Philosophies & Ethical Codes

Chinese Folk Religion Belief in spirits Reverence for ancestors Priests perform blessing rituals: purifying space Exorcising evil spirits (“hungry ghosts”) Astrology Divination

Chinese metaphysics is about… Energy Change Balance Harmony Inter-relationships

Chinese Metaphysics Movement of cosmic energies: Rising Falling Expanding Contracting Rotating Represented by and expressed in the “five elements” of nature…

The “Five Elements” Fire Productive cycle Earth Wood Water Metal

X X X X X The “Five Elements” Fire Wood Earth Water Metal Destructive cycle Earth X X Wood X Water Metal X

Chinese Metaphysics Concepts Chi – life force, life energy (“ultimate”) Yin-Yang – harmony of opposites Yin = passive state of energy Yang = active state of energy [ Tao – the “way” of the cosmos, of nature Heaven (t’ien) and Earth “Mandate of Heaven” Practical applications: I-Ching and Feng Shui

The I-Ching “Book of Changes” Ancient divination technique (at least 3000 years old) Intended to guide humans in decision making Based on combinations of lines representing the ever changing relationship between passive (yin) and active (yang) energy flow of heaven, human, and earth = yin = yang

China before Confucius The “Yellow Emperor” Xia and Shang Dynasties 2070 B.C. - 1046 B.C. Zhou Dynasty 1046 B.C. - 256 B.C. “Spring and Autumn” period 770 B.C. - 476 B.C.

Feng Shui The Chinese art of placement (geomancy) Means “wind water”– symbolically, the constant flow of wind and water that creates constant change in the world also affects us Uses the five elements and the eight directions of the I-Ching as the Bagua tool Seeks to maintain constant and balanced flow of energies (chi) in a space for improved flow of energy in the people who use the space

Confucianism

Confucianism - Origins Kung-Fu-tzu (Confucius) “Master Kung” 551 - 479 BCE Embraces the values of the past Political aspirations unfulfilled The “greatest teacher who ever lived” Rejected in his own day, but the model for Chinese culture for over 2000 years Meng-Tzu (Mencius) (4th century) continues to develop teachings of Confucius

Confucius 551 – 479 B.C.E. Born in the feudal state of Liu. Became a teacher and editor of books.

Confucianism Concerned primarily with restoring social stability and order What is the basis of a stable, unified, and enduring social order? a system of social and ethical philosophy “only when character is cultivated are our families regulated; only when families are regulated are states well governed.”

Goal of Confucianism To develop one’s Jen: Human Heartedness - the innate goodness of humanity Thus becoming a Chun Tzu: the “Great Man” or “Gentle Man” Jen is developed through intentional living by Confucian virtues…

Major Confucian Principles Li --> Rite, rules, ritual decorum (Binding force of an enduring stable society) Ren --> humaneness, benevolence, humanity Shu --> Reciprocity, empathy Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you. Yi --> Righteousness Xiao --> Filial Piety (Respect your elders!)

Confucian Virtues Filial Piety (Hsiao) - respect for the five constant relationships: Parent and child Husband & wife Older & younger sibling Older & younger friend Ruler & subject Human-heartedness is developed only within the context of human relationships

More Confucian Virtues Rectification of names – a person or thing should be true to its name Recipricity (shu) – the Golden Rule: “Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you” Li (rites, ritual) – the inherent “pattern” in things For Confucius, Li is especially significant in a social context – propriety or etiquette, the “pattern” of humane behavior

5 Principle Relationships 1. Ruler Subject 2. Father Son 3. Husband Wife 4. Older Brother Younger Brother 5. Older Friend Younger Friend

Organizing Principles Status Age Gender

Confucian Temple Complex

Confucianism - Texts The “Five Classics” (of the past): I-Ching The Book of History (Shu Ching) The Book of Poems (Shih Ching) The Spring and Autumn Annals (Ch’un Ch’iu) The Book of Rituals (Li Chi) The “Four Books” (Confucian) Analects (Lun Yu) Doctrine of the Mean The Great Learning The Book of Mencius (Meng-Tzu)

The Analects In Chinese, it means “conversation.” The single most important Confucian work. In Chinese, it means “conversation.” Focus on practicalities of interpersonal relationships and the relationship of the role of rulers and ministers to the conduct of government.

Sayings from The Analects Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’t know, is characteristics of the person who knows. Making a mistake and not correcting it, is making another mistake. The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others. To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.

Stones Engraved with Confucius' Life Stories

Confucius' Tomb

Mencius 372 - 289 B.C.E. Disciple of Confucius. Starts off with the assumption that “people are basically good.” If someone does something bad, education, not punishment, is the answer. Good people will mend their ways in accordance to their inherent goodness.

Social Cohesion is Paramount! The emperor is the example of proper behavior Social relationships are based on “rites” or “rituals.” Even religious rituals are important for SOCIAL, not religious reasons, acc. to Confucius.

Confucianism Persecuted in Qin Dynasty promoted by later rulers 221 B.C. - 206 B.C. promoted by later rulers

Confucianism as a Religion Deification of Confucius - statues Confucian Temples – honoring Confucius Veneration of the ancestors Rituals within… the household the village the state the nation

Daoism

Lao Zi [Lao-Tzu] His name means “Old Master” Not sure when he died. [604 B.C.E. - ?] His name means “Old Master” Was he Confucius’ teacher?

The Dao De Jing The basic text of Daoism. In Chinese, it means The Classic in the Way and Its Power. “Those who speak know nothing: Those who know are silent.” These words, I am told, Were spoken by Laozi. If we are to believe that Laozi, Was himself one who knew, How is it that he wrote a book, Of five thousand words?

Major Daoist Principles 1. Dao [Tao] is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life. 2. A believer’s goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature. [“The butterfly or the man?” story.] 3. Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course.” --> “The art of doing nothing.” --> “Go with the flow!” 4. Man is unhappy because he lives acc. to man-made laws, customs, & traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature.

The "Dao" [Tao] To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by: 1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning. 2. Relying on the senses and instincts. 3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe. 4. Ignoring political and social laws.

The Universe of Opposites: Find the Balance! Yin Masculine Active Light Warmth Strong Heaven; Sun Feminine Passive Darkness Cold Weak Earth; Moon Yang

The Uniqueness of Daoism How is a man to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity?? Confucianism --> Moral order in society. Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order. Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and less govt. to avoid uniformity and conformity.