1. Wisdom Traditions of China
Confucianism, Legalism, Taoism

2. “The Vinegar Tasters”
Buddha
Confucius
Lao-Tse

3. World view of the four… Confucianism Moral order in society
Connect with the ancestors to re-order things
Buddhism
Seek to order your life by letting go… get rid of the attachments
Taoism
Institutions of man simply get in the way of the natural order of things
Let the river run its course
Legalism
Rule by harsh law and order
“cracks the whip” on the back of his subjects

4. The Master said, “You can be of service to your father and mother by arguing with them tactfully. If you perceive that they do not wish to follow your advice, then continue to be reverent toward them without offending or disobeying them; work hard and do not murmur against them.”

5. waht’s wonrg wtih stneecne! wulod popele hvae a pelborm wtih tihs. Why,

6. “If the mat was not straight, the master would not sit.”

7. Confucianism

8. What did he set forth? Ritual is important! It connects society
Humanity is essentially good in nature
Seek to do unto others as you would have them do unto you
“Do the right thing!”
Respect your elders
Government’s role is to maintain security, economic well-being, and the support of its people.

9. 1989

10. 5 Principle Relationships
Ruler - Subject
Father - Son
Husband - Wife
Older Brother –
Younger Brother
Older Friend –
Younger Friend

11. “The Analects”… “Conversation”
The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others.
To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.
Making a mistake and not correcting it is making another mistake

12. Role of Mencius “Friendship is one mind in two bodies”
He was a disciple of Confucius and assumed all people are basically good.
If someone does something bad education, not punishment, is the answer.

14. Legalism

15. Major principles… Human nature is naturally selfish
Literacy and intellectual debate leads to weakness in the government
Law is the supreme authority, not morality
Ruler must rule with a strong, punishing hand
War is the means of strengthening power

16. The RULER, therefore, “CRACKS HIS WHIP” on the backs of his subjects.
Authoritarian
One who favors the principle that individuals should obey a powerful authority rather than exercise individual freedom.
The RULER, therefore, “CRACKS HIS WHIP” on the backs of his subjects.

17. Taoism

19. Confucianism v. Taoism
Men of virtue should dev0te themselves to making government work to the benefit of the people.
When you try to hard it usually doesn’t work out. Just let things happen as they will on their own.

21. The Details of Taoism… a very “non-Taoist” thing to do
Founded by Lao Tzu… name means “Old Master”
Was he Confucius’ teacher…some say yes
Was he a real person… some debate that.
Basic text of Taoism … Tao Te Ching
“Those who speak know nothing; Those who know are silent”

22. Basic principles… Core Beliefs
Tao… loosely translated “the way”
Goal is to become one with the Tao…

23. Chuang Tzu in dream became a butterfly, And the butterfly became Chuang Tzu at waking. Which was the real—the butterfly or the man ? Who can tell the end of the endless changes of things? The water that flows into the depth of the distant sea Returns anon to the shallows of a transparent stream. The man, raising melons outside the green gate of the city, Was once the Prince of the East Hill. So must rank and riches vanish. You know it, still you toil and toil,—what for? Poem by Li Po

24. Basic principles… Core Beliefs
Tao… loosely translated “the way”
Goal is to become one with the Tao…
Wu wei…
“Let nature take its course”
“the art of doing nothing”
“Go with the flow”
Follow the way of nature to get to happiness

25. The Tao Rejecting formal knowledge and learning
To escape the “social, political, and cultural traps” of life, one must escape by:
Rejecting formal knowledge and learning
Relying on the senses and instincts
Discovering the nature and rhythm of the universe
Ignoring political and social laws.

27. The Universe of Opposites… Find the balance
Masculine
Active
Light
Warmth
Strong
Heaven; Sun
Yin
Feminine
Passive
Darkness
Cold
Weak
Earth; Moon
Yang