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

3. Ancient China Geography Last of the early civilizations
Began around 3700 years ago
Isolated by dessert, mountains, and jungle
Causing Chinese culture to develop in almost complete isolation

4. Today most people still live in the east
Ancient China
Geography
Today most people still live in the east

5. Moral order on Earth through: Find the Harmony in life
Ancient China
Ancient Ideas
Moral order on Earth through:
Virtue
Moral Excellence
Always doing what is good
Ritual
-Practices and Traditions
-Done generation after generation
Ancestry Worship
Respect for family
Connection to one’s past
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

6. Gave rulers political power over the people
Ancient China
Mandate of Heaven
Based on four ideas
The right to rule is granted by Heaven
There is only one Heaven, so there is only one ruler
The right to rule is based on virtue of the ruler
The right to rule may be passed down from father to son, but may change dynasties
Gave rulers political power over the people
‘Divine Right’

7. Ancient China
Political Structure

8. Ancient China Social Structure Feudal System Ruler
Nobility was based on birth right not merit
Most people were peasants who would do all the hard work then be mistreated, over taxed and receive very little in return
Ruler
Divides up his land to be managed by nobles
Taxes were paid to the nobles and Ruler
Nobles
Hired warriors to protect the king and his land
Warriors
Maintained law and order while forcing peasants to work the land to feed the classes above them
Peasants

9. Confucianism Morals Problems in Confucius’s world Crime and corruption
War over land and power
&
Abuse of power and authority
Social Class inequality
Confucian philosophies
*Goodness is essential quality needed for society
People need to be taught and shown how to be good and moral even the rulers
Fix first what is within yourself
Rulers must lead by example and show people how to be good and moral
Education removes social classes
People should be promoted based on the deeds they have done not their birth

11. Confucianism Morals Confucius applies his ideas Confucian philosophies
Wonders China teaching Virtue and morality to common people and kings
Creates social welfare programs like:
Taking care of children and elderly
Free education for all children
Hired officials based on merit
Confucian philosophies
*Goodness is essential quality needed for society
People need to be taught and shown how to be good and moral even the rulers
Fix first what is within yourself
Rulers must lead by example and show people how to be good and moral
Education removes social classes
People should be promoted based on the deeds they do not their birth

13. 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

14. Buddhism
Practices

15. Buddhism Practices Meditation Compassion Inward Reflection
Focusing and controlling the body and mind
Compassion
Caring for and showing kindness to all life
Inward Reflection
Looking within yourself to find the answers to life’s problem
Self Control
Self discipline, being control pain, emotions and desires