1. Religions and Philosophies of China

2. Confucianism Confucius was a teacher of the Han Dynasty
The Analects is the name of the book containing his teachings
He taught:
Children should obey their elders
Families should be loyal to each other
A king should lead by example
Fathers should display high moral values
Lower classes should follow the example of superiors
Moral leadership will bring order to China

3. Legalism Qin Shihaungdi People are naturally bad need to be controlled
Believed in Political philosophy - not religions
People are responsible for each other’s behavior (if a person does something wrong, all the family and neighbors should be punished)
Appointed officials should lead, not the nobles
ALWAYS BE READY FOR WAR

4. Daoism (Taoism) Called “The Way”
Laozi was a most famous Daoist Teacher
The Way and Its Power is the book of the Daoist
Stressed living in harmony with the Dao (the guiding force of all reality)
You should avoid interfering with nature
The universe is a balance of opposites called Yin and Yang
Daoists worship nature
They want government out of people’s lives

5. Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama was the name of the Indian Prince who became Buddha
Missionaries took Buddhism to japan, korea, and other Asian countries
Attracted Chinese as a way to explain suffering and escape it
Buddhism shaped Chinese art, literature, and architecture.
The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path are the guiding beliefs