1. Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Chapter 7 Chinese Religions

2. The basics  Chinese religions are a blend of practices: The basics CCCChinese religions are a blend of practices: TaoismTaoism BuddhismBuddhism Chinese folk religion ConfucianismConfucianism

3. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Periods of hindu history Periods of hindu history  Page 280

4. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History History Shang Dynasty (16 th –11 th BCE)   veneration of ancestors   veneration of nature gods   highest god is called Ti   the practice of divination (the attempt to interpret signs from nature such as astrology) Shang Dynasty (16 th –11 th BCE)  v v eneration of ancestors   v eneration of nature gods   h ighest god is called Ti  t t he practice of divination (the attempt to interpret signs from nature such as astrology) Chou Dynasty (11-2nd BCE)   elderly ancestors are revered   highest god is called T’ien   the notion of the Mandate of Heaven (conferred on kings) Chou Dynasty (11-2nd BCE)  e e lderly ancestors are revered   h ighest god is called T’ien   t he notion of the Mandate of Heaven (conferred on kings)

5. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History (continued) Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) The teachings of confucius become the state ideology by imperial decreeThe teachings of confucius become the state ideology by imperial decree Confucianism begins to move toward egalitarianism (social equality)Confucianism begins to move toward egalitarianism (social equality) Character building is a lifelong process of education and self-disciplineCharacter building is a lifelong process of education and self-discipline History (continued) Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) The teachings of confucius become the state ideology by imperial decree Confucianism begins to move toward egalitarianism (social equality) Character building is a lifelong process of education and self-discipline

6. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History (continued) Confucius: Lived from about 551 to 479 BCELived from about 551 to 479 BCE A chinese philosopher who considered to be the “father of chinese culture” by manyA chinese philosopher who considered to be the “father of chinese culture” by many His sayings (analects) became the source of his teachingHis sayings (analects) became the source of his teaching Emphasized the building of moral characterEmphasized the building of moral character Proper ritual observance and moral persuasion were his formula for successProper ritual observance and moral persuasion were his formula for success History (continued) Confucius: Lived from about 551 to 479 BCE A chinese philosopher who considered to be the “father of chinese culture” by many His sayings (analects) became the source of his teaching Emphasized the building of moral character Proper ritual observance and moral persuasion were his formula for success

7. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History (continued) Lao-tzu: A chinese philosopher and founder of taoismA chinese philosopher and founder of taoism Wrote the tao-te ching or “The way and its power”Wrote the tao-te ching or “The way and its power” Taoists priests encourage methods of self- perfection and help individuals control the forces of yin and yangTaoists priests encourage methods of self- perfection and help individuals control the forces of yin and yang History (continued) Lao-tzu: A chinese philosopher and founder of taoism Wrote the tao-te ching or “The way and its power” Taoists priests encourage methods of self- perfection and help individuals control the forces of yin and yang

8. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History (continued) Yin and yang: Complementary, harmonious play of pairs of opposites in the universe Complementary, harmonious play of pairs of opposites in the universe They are not interdependent --- one defines the other They are not interdependent --- one defines the other History (continued) Yin and yang: Complementary, harmonious play of pairs of opposites in the universe They are not interdependent --- one defines the other  there is no antagonism between the pairs, for both are needed  each contains a little of the other  nature is in a continual dance to remain balanced between the yin and the yang tttthere is no antagonism between the pairs, for both are needed eeeeach contains a little of the other nnnnature is in a continual dance to remain balanced between the yin and the yang

9. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History (continued) The Chinese communist revolution of 1949:  placed Confucianism in disfavor  believed all religion was elitist, out-dated and a threat to personal freedom  current government monitors the selection of religious leaders in the various traditions and has suppressed sacred places and spaces The Chinese communist revolution of 1949:  p p p placed Confucianism in disfavor  b b b believed all religion was elitist, out-dated and a threat to personal freedom  c c c current government monitors the selection of religious leaders in the various traditions and has suppressed sacred places and spaces

10. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Sacred stories and sacred scriptures Sacred stories and sacred scriptures TheFiveClassicsTheFiveClassics  historical documents  anthology of poems  manual for divination  records of the state of Lu  works on the principles of li hhhhistorical documents aaaanthology of poems mmmmanual for divination rrrrecords of the state of Lu wwwworks on the principles of li

11. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Sacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued) FourBooksFourBooks The Analects (sayings of Confucius) The Great Learning (details of how perfection can benefit society) Doctrine of the Mean (philosophical utterances with commentaries) Book of Meng-tzu (sayings of the great follower of Confucius) The Analects (sayings of Confucius) The Great Learning (details of how perfection can benefit society) Doctrine of the Mean (philosophical utterances with commentaries) Book of Meng-tzu (sayings of the great follower of Confucius)

12. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Sacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued) Tao-teChingTao-teChing  the central scripture within Taoism  attributed to Lao-tsu tttthe central scripture within Taoism aaaattributed to Lao-tsu

13. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Beliefs and practices Beliefs and practices Things emphasized in Confucianism:  b b b belief in the high god Heaven and various Chinese deities  s s s striving for perfection through relationships with one another  f f f folk rituals and practices

14. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Beliefs and practices (continued) Things emphasized in Taoism:  moving in harmony with Tao (the nature of things)  a return to simplicity and harmony with all creation  immortality which is the goal of the Taoist  beliefs in a pantheon of gods  Chinese living rooted in family structures and ancestor veneration Things emphasized in Taoism:  m m m moving in harmony with Tao (the nature of things)  a a a a return to simplicity and harmony with all creation  i i i immortality which is the goal of the Taoist  b b b beliefs in a pantheon of gods  C C C Chinese living rooted in family structures and ancestor veneration

15. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Beliefs and practices (continued) Chinese are Confucian in public, Taoist in private, and Buddhist with regard to death. Chinese are Confucian in public, Taoist in private, and Buddhist with regard to death.

16. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Sacred time Sacred time Chinese New Year Prayers and homage to Tso Kwan Chinese New Year Prayers and homage to Tso Kwan Ching Ming Honors deceased relatives Ching Ming Honors deceased relatives Mid Autumn Festival Recalls when Chinese rulers carefully studied the moon Mid Autumn Festival Recalls when Chinese rulers carefully studied the moon Dragon Boat Festival Honors a famous Chinese patriot named Wut Yuah Dragon Boat Festival Honors a famous Chinese patriot named Wut Yuah Tin Hau Honors the mother of boat people and sailors Tin Hau Honors the mother of boat people and sailors

17. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Sacred places and sacred spaces Sacred places and sacred spaces Temples Taoist and Buddhist local and state temples Temples Taoist and Buddhist local and state temples Shrine of Ancestors to local gods and ancestors Shrine of Ancestors to local gods and ancestors Ancestor Gravesites providing for the needs of the deceased Ancestor Gravesites providing for the needs of the deceased

18. Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Divination Divination Astrology Astrology Cult Cult Neo- confucianism Neo- confucianism Yin and yang Yin and yang Koan Koan Divination Astrology Cult Neo- confucianism Yin and yang Koan chun-tzu chun-tzu li li jen jen Tao Tao wu-wei wu-wei hsien hsien chun-tzu li jen Tao wu-wei hsien feng-shui feng-shui spirit tablet spirit tablet communion of saints communion of saints intercession intercession inculturation inculturation feng-shui spirit tablet communion of saints intercession inculturation Vocabulary Vocabulary