Wednesday 11/12 wk Who was Siddhartha Gautama? 2. What is the name of a belief system based on the teachings of Confucius?

Three Ways of Thought in China Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism

Confucius  Born in China B.C  Philosopher Person who thinks a lot about the meaning of life  Teachings led to Confucianism

Confucianism  focused on ethics and morality knowing right from wrong knowing right from wrong  emphasized education  encouraged development of “civilized” people  these things would eventually lead to world peace

Confucianism  Kings should rule by being good example for people to follow  meritocracy idea that people should be rewarded based on skill not on who their family is idea that people should be rewarded based on skill not on who their family is  filial piety respect for elders respect for elders  encouraged development of “civilized” people

Buddha  Born in India B.C  Born to a Noble Family  Gave up his wealth to seek enlightenment  Started Buddhism

Buddhism  Suffering is a part of life.  People suffer because they are ignorant Selfishness and love of material things is a result of this ignorance. Selfishness and love of material things is a result of this ignorance.  People can escape suffering by following the Noble Eightfold Path.  Many Buddhists practice meditation.

Noble Eightfold Path  Leads to nirvana nirvana=end of suffering nirvana=end of suffering  right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration

Laozi  Born in China 6 th or 4 th century B.C.  Philosopher  Started Daoism  May or may not have actually existed

Daoism  Dao=The Way or Path  compassion, moderation, humility  wu wei action without doing action without doing let nature take it’s course let nature take it’s course universe live in harmony and when you oppose the universe, you disrupt that harmony universe live in harmony and when you oppose the universe, you disrupt that harmony  live in harmony with nature

Buddha “ Like a spider caught in its own web is a person driven by fierce cravings. Break out of the web, and turn away from the world of sensory pleasure and sorrow.”

Confucius “If a ruler himself is upright, all will go well without orders. But if he himself is not upright, even though he gives orders they will not be obeyed.”

Laozi “Highest good is like water. Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures without contending with them and settles where none would like to be, it comes close to the Way.”

Buddha “The mind is flighty, and hard to grasp; the mind pursues all its desires. To tame the mind is great goodness. Subdue the mind and know tranquility.”

Laozi “The more laws and edicts are imposed, the more thieves and bandits there will be.”

Confucius “Be respectful at home, serious at work, faithful in human relations. Even if you go to uncivilized areas, these virtues are not to be abandoned.”

Confucius “Seeing that our body, with hair and skin, is derived from our parents, we should not allow it to be injured in any way. This is the beginning of filial respect. We develop our own character and practice the way so as to perpetuate our name for future generations, and to bring honor to our parents.”

Buddha “Life is a journey, death is a return to earth, the universe is like an inn, the passing years are like dust.”

Laozi “The sage, because he does nothing, never ruins anything; and, because he does not lay hold of anything, loses nothing.”