1. From the Hearth of the Huang He River Valley
Taoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism

2. Taoism
The origin of Taoism is unclear, but scholars trace the beginning of the religion to a Chinese man, Lao-Tsu
He focused on the proper form of political rule and on the oneness of humanity and nature
Gave rise to the concept of Feng Shui
The art and science of organizing living spaces in order to channel the life forces that exist in nature in favorable ways

3. TAOISM
It teaches that “the way” (Dao, or Tao) is realized through recognition and acceptance of nothingness; that is, wisdom is understanding that weakness truly equals strength, that happiness depends on disaster, and that passivity is the greatest action.

4. Taoism Continued
Virtues are simplicity, spontaneity, tenderness, and tranquility
Vices are competition, possession, and the pursuit of knowledge
Evils include war, punishment, taxation, and ceremonial ostentation
The best government is the least government

5. TAOISM
Taoism maintained that the individual should ignore the dictates of society and seek only to conform with the underlying pattern of the universe, the Tao which can neither be described in words nor conceived in thought.

6. TWO TYPES OF TAOISM
Philosophical
Popular

7. PHILOSOPHICAL
BELIEF: By stilling the inner self they can gain understanding and live in oneness and harmony.

8. POPULAR
Includes many Gods, Goddess, and Spiritual beings
Followers use magic and harness virtue or power in the hope of becoming immortal

10. Taoism Chart Origins and History Adherents Worldwide
God(s) and Universe
Human Situation and Life’s Purpose
Afterlife
Practices
Texts
Lao-Tzu, c.
550 BC,
China.
20 million  (394 million adherents of Chinese religion)
Pantheism - the Tao pervades all. Yin-yang - opposites make up a unity.
Purpose is
inner
harmony,
peace, and
longevity.
Achieved by
living in
accordance
with the Tao.
Revert back to state of non-being, which is simply the other side of being.
General
attitude of
detachment
and non-
struggle, "go
with the flow"
of the Tao.
Tai-chi,
acupuncture,
and alchemy
to help
Tao Te Ching, Chuang-Tzu

11. CONFUCIANISM
Major system of thought in China, developed from the teachings of Confucius and his disciples, and concerned with the principles of good conduct, practical wisdom, and proper social relationships.

12. Confucianism Confucius was a Chinese man who lived from 551-479 BCE
He created a blueprint for Chinese civilizations including fields of philosophy, government, and education
Tenets include belief in heaven, existence of a soul, ancestor worship, and sacrificial rites

13. Confucianism Continued
The real meaning of life lies in the present, and service to humanity supersedes service to spirits
It is mainly a philosophy, not a religion
People celebrate Confucius, but few worship him

14. CONFUCIANISM
Unlike Christian churches, the temples built to Confucius were not places in which organized community groups gathered to worship, but public edifices designed for annual ceremonies, especially on the philosopher's birthday.

15. BASIC TEACHINGS BEING COURTEOUS FAIR RESPECTFUL TO SUPERIORS
KINDNESS TO ORDINARY PEOPLE

16. CONFUCIANISM
Confucius wished to bring order and harmony to society, with everyone doing their duty. He taught that worshipping God and the spirits and honoring one’s ancestors was nothing unless service to other people comes first.

17. Diffusion of Confucianism
Confucianism diffused into the Korean Peninsula, Japan, and SE Asia and influenced the practice of Buddhism
Through relocation diffusion, Confucianism has diffused to Europe and N. America

18. Confucianism Chart Origins and History Adherents Worldwide
God(s) and Universe
Human Situation and Life’s Purpose
Afterlife
Practices
Texts
Founded by
Confucius
(551–479 BC),
China
5-6 million
Not addressed
Purpose of life is
to fulfill one's
role in society
with propriety,
honor, and
loyalty.
Honesty, politenes,
propriety,
humaneness,
perform correct role
in society, loyalty to
family, nation
Analects

19. SHINTOISM No founder No sacred scripture
Shinto’s world view – bright and optimistic (the main deity is the sun goddess)
Chief purpose – celebration and enrichment of life

20. SHINTOISM Human nature is good
Evil is thought to stem from the individual’s contact with external forces or agents that pollute our pure nature.

21. Shrines (places of Shinto worship)
For praying for good fortune and protecting from evil spirits
For wedding celebrations
For celebration of births

22. KAMI Shinto deities Sacred spirits Anything extraordinary or awesome
Natural elements: the sun, mountains, trees, rocks, and the wind
Guardian Kami – Inari (fox deity): A guardian god for modern business used to be a guardian god of cultivation

24. In the late 6th century ad the name Shinto was created for the native religion to distinguish it from Buddhism and Confucianism, which had been introduced from China.

25. Shintoism
Buddhism mixed with a local religion in Japan creating Shintoism
Focuses on nature and ancestor worship
In the 1800’s, the emperor made Shinto the official religion
After World War II, there was a separation between Church and State
There are between million Japanese that practice Shinto
It has not diffused from Japan

26. Shintoism Chart Origins and History Adherents Worldwide
God(s) and Universe
Human Situation and Life’s Purpose
Afterlife
Practices
Texts
Indigenous
religion of
Japan.
3-4 million
Polytheism based on the kami, ancient gods or spirits.
Humans are
pure by
nature and
can keep away
evil through
purification
rituals and
attain good
things by
calling on the
kami.
Death is bad and impure. Some humans become kami after death.
Worship and
offerings to
kami at
shrines and at
home.
Purification
rituals.
Important texts are
Kojiki or 'Records of Ancient Matters' and
Nihon-gi or 'Chronicles of Japan'