1. Major Asian Belief Systems
Confucianism, Taoism
and Buddhism

2. should guide human conduct and ensure order in society?
Question of the Day…
What principles
should guide human conduct and ensure order in society?

3. Confucianism

4. Confucianism: Origins
Confucius was born in 551 B.C.E. during the Zhou Dynasty
Teachings became popular during the Han Dynasty
Developed a philosophy to promote peace and harmony through proper behavior
Teachings collected in the Analects

5. Confucianism: Teachings
Five relationships govern society
Ruler and ruled
Father and son
Older brother and younger brother
Husband and wife
Friend and friend*
One person has authority over the other, and has a responsibility to set a good example and take care of the other

6. Confucianism: Teachings cont.
Loyalty, courtesy, hard work and service are key values
Family and society are more important than the individual
Stressed filial piety
Education is the gateway to improvement of the individual and society; contributes to the practice of ethical behavior
“To enrich your family, there is no need to buy good land: Books hold a thousand measures of grain.” Confucius

7. Confucianism: Influence
Under the Han Dynasty (around 200 B.C.E.) Confucian philosophy gained strong influence
Government run by the most learned men
Students attended university
Had to pass a Civil Service Examination on Confucian teachings, as well as Chinese law, history and traditions
System lasted until the 1900’s
WASL?
Above: Painting depicting students studying for the exam
Below: Recreated cell, where students would have taken the exam

8. Taoism/Daoism

9. Daoism: Origins The origins of Daoism are unclear
Attributed to Lao Zi, during B.C.E.
Developed a philosophy based on non-action (going with the flow!)
Teachings recorded in the Tao De Jing (The Way of Virtue)

10. Yin-Yang: Complimentary opposites.
Daoism: Teachings
Simplicity is a key value
The best way to live is the natural way
A society with rules is an artificial creation that disturbs the natural order
Yin-Yang: Complimentary opposites.
“You can conquer others with power, but it takes true strength to conquer yourself”. - Tao De Jing

11. Daoism: Influence
Led to dominance of nature in Chinese painting and poetry
Daoists made advances in science and technology
Magnetic compass
Gun powder

12. What would Daoists say about Confucianism?
Question…
What would Daoists say about Confucianism?

13. Buddhism

14. Buddhapada: Footprints of the Buddha.
Buddhism: Origins
Founded around 530 B.C.E. by Siddhartha Gautama who lived in Northeast India
Rejected the Hindu caste system and materialism in favor of individual spirituality
The teachings of the Buddha were recorded in hundreds of documents
Buddhapada: Footprints of the Buddha.
Arrived in Southeast and East Asia around 100 C.E.

15. Buddhism: Schools Theravada Mahayana Vajrayana Zen
Practiced in Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand
Considered the original school of Buddhism
Mahayana
Practiced in China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Tibet
Branched off from Theravada, some differences in scriptures and practices
Vajrayana
Practiced in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Mongolia
The lama (or guru) is central to this practice
Zen
Practiced in Japan
Emphasis on meditation
These are just a few examples!

16. Buddhism: Teachings The Four Noble Truths 1. Life is suffering
2. Suffering is caused by wanting and aversion
3. Suffering can be overcome and happiness attained (Nirvana)
4. The Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering
Dharma Wheel: Roof decoration on Tibetan temple; the wheel represents reincarnation and the Eightfold Path

17. Buddhism: Teachings cont.
The Eightfold Path
1. Right view or understanding: of nature and the path of transformation
2. Right thought or attitude: acting from love and compassion
3. Right speech: clear, truthful, uplifting and non-harmful speech
Mudra (or symbolic hand gesture) symbolizing the Eightfold Path

18. Buddhism: Teachings cont.
The Eightfold Path
4. Right action: following the Five Precepts
5. Right livelihood: based on the principal of non-exploitation
6. Right effort: conscious evolution
7. Right mindfulness: awareness of all things
8. Samadhi: one-pointed-ness of mind, enlightenment
“Buddha with Attendants” Korea, 16-17th Century

19. Buddhism: Teachings cont.
The Five Precepts
Do not take the life of anything living
Do not take anything not freely given
Abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence
Refrain from untrue speech
Avoid intoxication, that is, losing mindfulness

20. Vocab. words Atman: The innermost essence of the individual (soul)
Nirvana: The state of perfect insight, eternal rest, and ultimate truth
Samara: The opposite of Nirvana- the indefinitely repeated cycle of birth, misery, and death.
Brahmins: The highest Hindu caste. Brahmins inherit their caste position and their occupation as priests. Siddhartha was born and raised a Brahmin.
Om: “The word of words” A verbal spell or ritual incantation used in meditative contemplation.

21. Buddhism: Influence
Where Confucianism and Daoism focused on life on earth, Buddhism offered an afterlife
Buddhist monasteries and temples became centers of village life
Young monks-in-training in Cambodia.
Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.

22. Appeal: Confucianism and Daoism dealt with life on Earth
Appeal: Confucianism and Daoism dealt with life on Earth. Buddhism was a religion that offered an escape from the suffering of an earthly life.
The Chinese could accept diverse ideas, As a result, many Chinese followed Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian beliefs at the same time.

23. Review
Buddhism
Confucianism
Daoism

24. Question..
Do you think it is possible to follow Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism simultaneously?

25. Religious Patterns in Asia
East Asia (China, Korea & Japan)
Early times: Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism
Contemporary times: Maoist Communism, Daoism and Buddhism
Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.)
Contemporary Times: Hinduism and Christianity in smaller numbers; Buddhism and Islam in larger numbers

26. Dynasty
Dates
Shang
1700s-1122 BCE
Zhou
BCE
Qin
BCE
Han
206 BCE- 220 CE
Sui CE
Tang CE
Song CE
Yuan CE
Ming CE
Qing CE