1. East Asian Traditions Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto

2. Syncretism It is a common feature of East Asian religions that one cannot always set boundaries on what belongs to one faith or the other People may believe more than one of them as the occasion fits Traits from one may be blended into another All seem to have incorporated some of the Buddhist tradition into what was there before

3. Confucianism From Chinese philosopher, K’ung Fu-tzu, or Confucius, (551-479 BCE) Teachings gathered in the Analects Gained importance in the centuries after his death

4. Confucianism Has never existed as an established religion with a church and a priesthood Has influenced the Chinese attitude toward life Spread to Korea, Japan and Vietnam

5. (Continued) It provides a code of living, valuing goodwill, duty, good manners, wisdom, and trustworthiness These we can control The rest is destiny

6. Role of family is emphasized The family that works together makes a happier household and a better society The most important duty is to honor your parents

7. Success of society Depends upon the moral quality of its leaders Good government comes from educated, courteous, and virtuous officials

8. Taoism The philosophy of Laozi, who also lived in the 6th century BCE Compiled in the Daodejing, “The way and its power” The Dao (the way, or flow) is the universal force connected to nature and creates order for all things

9. Goal Each believer’s goal is to become one with the Dao. The concept of a personified diety is foreign to them They do not pray because there is no God to answer them They seek answers to life’s problems through inner meditation and outer observation

10. Symbol Represents the balance between opposites (yin, yang) in the universe When they are equally present, all is calm, when one is outweighed by the other, there is confusion and disarray

11. Shinto The ancient religion of Japan Loose system of beliefs and attitudes No sacred scriptures or unchanging beliefs Revere sacred spirits, or kami Appeal to them at shrines When Buddhist monks arrived in Japan, they took over the care of the shrines

12. Shinto Means “Way of the gods” Stresses purity and perfection Natural wonders, such as Fuji, are worthy of reverence No regular services Can worship at a shrine whenever they want Festivals