RELIGION IN ANCIENT CHINA Daoism Buddhism Confucianism

RELIGION…. 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.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THIS SYMBOL? WHAT DO YOU THINK IT MEANS?

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 Yin and Yang Yin= dark side- moon, death Yang= light side- sun, birth Yin and Yang need to be balanced Tsu was against too many rules and laws- he thought people should make their own decisions

BUDDHISM 500 B.C. Started in India - spread to China during the Han dynasty (200s A.D.) Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha He was an Indian prince who gave up the royal life in search of a good and pure life

HOW BUDDHISM SPREAD

WHY BUDDHISM? People in China were attracted to Buddhism during the Period of Disunion 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 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

BELIEFS people can be reborn to achieve enlightenment Buddhists also believe in Karma: the good/bad actions people perform in their lifetime affect happiness

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 400-845 is called the “Age of Buddhism”

BUDDHISM IN CHINA An emperor in the Tang dynasty tried to get rid of Buddhism Buddhist books and temples were destroyed But, Buddhism lived on in China and blended with other religions

PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 178.

CONFUCIANISM 500 B.C. China by a man named Confucius “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” “Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.” “Have no friends not equal to yourself.”

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 Concern for others (ren) 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

CAN YOU PASS THE TEST? Which of the following was NOT a way that Confucianism influenced China? Emphasis on family and family values Expansion of manufacturing and trade Emphasis on service to society Well-educated government officials

CAN YOU PASS THE TEST? What were the two principles that Confucius believed people should follow?

CAN YOU PASS THE TEST? What was a scholar-official?

CAN YOU PASS THE TEST? In what way do Confucianism and Buddhism differ? Buddhism stresses military charitable deeds. Confucianism stresses ethical behavior and Buddhism stresses a spiritual outlook that promises escape from suffering. Buddhism teaches people to value public service while Confucianism teaches that personal satisfaction is important. Confucianism places high value on artistic talents and Buddhism teaches one to ignore art.

CAN YOU PASS THE TEST? How did Buddhism influence Chinese culture?

CAN YOU PASS THE TEST? Why did people turn to Buddhism during the Period of Disunion?