Section III: Religions and Beliefs in Ancient China (Pages 85-89) This section is about: The main ideas of Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, and Buddhism. How these ideas influenced the cultural, social order, government, and religion of ancient China.

Confucianism Daoism Legalism These three Chinese religions have some similarities and some differences

A remarkable philosopher appeared during the Zhou Dynasty His Chinese name: Kong Qiu His Chinese name: Kong Qiu His western name: Confucius His western name: Confucius Even as a child, he worked hard at his education. Even as a child, he worked hard at his education. As he grew older, he became worried about the conditions in China. As he grew older, he became worried about the conditions in China. He went looking for a king who knew about good government. But: all he found were government people who were greedy and dishonest (all they cared about was themselves). He went looking for a king who knew about good government. But: all he found were government people who were greedy and dishonest (all they cared about was themselves). He tried to change the way people behaved. He tried to change the way people behaved. (born in 551 BC) (born in 551 BC)

Confucius was a philosopher who…… … was an honest man of great learning … was an honest man of great learning He felt the early Zhou rulers were good and had run the country with harmony and responsibility. He felt the early Zhou rulers were good and had run the country with harmony and responsibility. He believed: He believed: A ruler should lead by good example. A ruler should lead by good example. People had an obligation to obey those who were superior. People had an obligation to obey those who were superior. But those who were superior should treat others fairly. But those who were superior should treat others fairly. Every man should try to be a gentleman (educated, good manners, and understood ritual and ceremony, and what is moral). Every man should try to be a gentleman (educated, good manners, and understood ritual and ceremony, and what is moral). (Person who thinks about the meanings of things)

Confucius had 5 relationships which ruled society: 1. Between father and son. 2. Between older and younger brother. 3. Between husband and wife 4. Between ruler and subject. 5. Between friend and friend. As long as these relationships were in harmony, society would be in harmony. As long as these relationships were in harmony, society would be in harmony. One of his important rules: “ What you do not wish for yourself, do not unto others. ” One of his important rules: “ What you do not wish for yourself, do not unto others. ”

Confucius was a great and inspiring teacher Even though we don ’ t know if what he said/did was written down, many scholars (bright students) learned a lot from him. Even though we don ’ t know if what he said/did was written down, many scholars (bright students) learned a lot from him. Later, they did record his beliefs and teachings – called the Analects. Later, they did record his beliefs and teachings – called the Analects. Later on – the Analects were considered “ sacred ” with students studying and memorizing his sayings. Later on – the Analects were considered “ sacred ” with students studying and memorizing his sayings. Men trained in his beliefs ended up becoming leaders. Men trained in his beliefs ended up becoming leaders. They even set up schools to learn the teachings of Confucius. They even set up schools to learn the teachings of Confucius.

By the third century BC: A new set of beliefs came along: (Daoism or Taoism) Confucianism: order, ritual, working hard to make the government efficient Confucianism: order, ritual, working hard to make the government efficient Daoism: Rulers should do as little as possible and leave everyone alone. Daoism: Rulers should do as little as possible and leave everyone alone.

The Laozi (The Classic of the Way and It ’ s Power) Contains the beliefs of Daoism. Contains the beliefs of Daoism. The Dao is the energy that controls all of the events in the universe. The Dao is the energy that controls all of the events in the universe. The natural order depends on the interaction of yin and yang. The natural order depends on the interaction of yin and yang. Yin: negative force / dark and weak. Yin: negative force / dark and weak. Yang: positive, bright, and strong. Yang: positive, bright, and strong. These need to work together to keep balance in the universe – even if that means spending all your time meditating on nature and forgetting about worldly matters. These need to work together to keep balance in the universe – even if that means spending all your time meditating on nature and forgetting about worldly matters.

Daoism influenced all the countries around China (Japan, Korea, and alter even Europe and North America) Daoism stresses immortality (living forever). Daoism stresses immortality (living forever). It ’ s emphasis on nature inspired writers, artists, and architects. It ’ s emphasis on nature inspired writers, artists, and architects. The science of the religion also allowed Daoists to study astronomy, medicine, and personal hygiene. The science of the religion also allowed Daoists to study astronomy, medicine, and personal hygiene.

Legalism and Buddhism Xunzi was a student of Confucius, but had different beliefs about nature and government. Xunzi was a student of Confucius, but had different beliefs about nature and government. He believed laws could inspire people to use good behavior. He believed laws could inspire people to use good behavior. His ideas were called Legalism because they were based on laws (with strict laws and harsh punishments for doing wrong). His ideas were called Legalism because they were based on laws (with strict laws and harsh punishments for doing wrong). He believed people were like little children who couldn ’ t be trusted – so they need rules and laws. He believed people were like little children who couldn ’ t be trusted – so they need rules and laws.

Legalism and the Qin During this period, the Legalists created a strong government. During this period, the Legalists created a strong government. Land was divided up into states – all run by the government. Land was divided up into states – all run by the government. People could not travel without permits. People could not travel without permits. They were heavily taxed. They were heavily taxed. They were required to work on government projects for no pay. They were required to work on government projects for no pay. Families were grouped together and everyone was responsible for any crimes committed by its members. Families were grouped together and everyone was responsible for any crimes committed by its members.

Buddhism ended up spreading to China because of the trade along the Silk Road. People didn ’ t follow it at first (it was a foreign religion), but started liking that… People didn ’ t follow it at first (it was a foreign religion), but started liking that… …it promised freedom from suffering. …it promised freedom from suffering. Buddhist temples started being built. Buddhist temples started being built. People started giving them lots of money. People started giving them lots of money. They believed this generosity would give them good Karma and good fortune in their next life. They believed this generosity would give them good Karma and good fortune in their next life.

Confucianists and Daoists didn ’ t like Buddhists They didn ’ t agree with Buddhist ideas of cremation. They didn ’ t agree with Buddhist ideas of cremation. They believed it was wrong for monks to not get married and have children. They believed it was wrong for monks to not get married and have children. Buddhist monks paid no taxes. Buddhist monks paid no taxes. But all three religions ended up lasting and are even still around today. But all three religions ended up lasting and are even still around today.