Within Three Great Philosophies Religion in China Finding Harmony Within Three Great Philosophies Confucianism Taoism Buddhism

Essential Understanding How did the development of religious traditions provided a bond among the people and an ethical code to live by? How and why did belief systems and cultural traditions spread to new areas? How did the development of religious traditions affect social and gender roles, and artistic expression?

Confucianism Started by Confucius (551-479 BCE) during the Warring States Period in China A time of disunity, war and corruption Offers solutions to the problems plaguing China Focus on life rather than the afterlife Does not advocate a specific deity Emphasizes worship of ancestors Adopted by the Han Dynasty (2nd century BCE – 2nd century CE) Became one of the foundational philosophies for the rest of Chinese histroy Drawing of Confucius

The Life of Confucius Born into noble family Exceptional student Became Government Official Believed that rulers had to set the example of moral conduct for their subjects Tried to make ethical changes in the government but no one would listen Left politics to become a teacher Traveled around China for most of his life Teaching people about virtue and ethics Gained many disciples that wrote down his sayings and philosophies (become the Analects) Died before his philosophies were adopted by Chinese Rulers and Society

Confucian Analects Sayings of Confucius Written by his disciples Used to study ethics in China for over 2000 years Chinese government officials had to take tests based on these books to move up in government Symbol means Life

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.

Basic Beliefs of Confucianism Emphasizes li the “rituals” of everyday life bond people together and teach them to be good Goal is to promote harmony on Earth through relationships Five Relationships Filial Piety Respect elders and ancestors Education Everyone can be taught to be good Dacheng Temple in Confucius’ hometown of Qufu in China.

Major Confucian Principle Virtues Li --> Rite or ritual, rules of society, etiquette 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 (Hsiao) --> Filial Piety (Respect your elders!)

5 Principle Relationships How are the following people supposed to act within each relationship? How would society be changed if everyone acted properly in within their relationships? 1. Ruler Subject 2. Father Son 3. Husband Wife 4. Older Brother Younger Brother 5. Older Friend Younger Friend

Values Virtue – behavior of high moral value - If people were taught virtue and tried to be virtuous society would correct itself Ritual – practices and traditions done in a certain way - If people do things together society will be more bonded together and people would get along better Harmony – agreement in feeling and opinion - If people know their role in life and strive to be good society will become a better place Ancestry – Respect for family, especially those who have already past.

Social Impact of Confucianism Becomes foundation of Chinese government Reinforced importance of patriarchal relationships Reinforced family as the center of Chinese society Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore are influenced by Confucian ethic Family altar in Malaysian Chinese home. Family is inviting ancestors to partake in the Hungary Ghost festival

Daoism (Taoism) Founded by Laozi (6th cent. BCE?) during the Warring States Period Everything revolves around the Dao Goal: Create societal harmony by living according to the natural laws of the universe Wu Wei “without action”

Taoism Beliefs Tao = all powerful force Ways to experience the Tao Everything in the universe comes from the Tao Peace and Happiness comes from experiencing the Tao Ways to experience the Tao Living in Harmony with Nature Being content with one’s life Not acting in anger

Find the Harmony in life Taoist philosophy Find the Harmony in life Belief that there is a balance to all life. The Yin and Yang Man & Woman Fire & Water Day & Night Life & Death Balance between the Individual, Family and the State

The Dao De Ching The basic text of Daoism. Poems that try to explain what is the Dao In Chinese, it means The Classic in the Way and Its Power. 4 The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things! Blunt the sharpness, Untangle the knot, Soften the glare, Merge with dust, Oh, hidden deep but ever present! I do not know from whence it comes. It is the forefather of the emperors.

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.

Impact of Daoism Encourages respect for nature Heavily influenced Chinese art and literature Landscape paintings Yoga and meditation Hygiene and cleanliness Medicine Balance between Yin (feminine, dark) and Yang (masculine, light)