East Asian ReligionsEast Asian Religions

Mrs. Gero’s World Studies ClassMrs. Gero’s World Studies Class

Chinese Traditional ReligionChinese Traditional Religion

Although the Communist government of Although the Communist government of China would tell that the people of China China would tell that the people of China are atheist, most people adhere to what is are atheist, most people adhere to what is considered Chinese Traditional.considered Chinese Traditional.

Chinese Traditional is a combination of the Chinese Traditional is a combination of the philosophy of Confucius, the beliefs of philosophy of Confucius, the beliefs of Daoism and Buddhism, along with local Daoism and Buddhism, along with local practices.practices.

ConfucianismConfucianismConfucianism is considered one of the Confucianism is considered one of the world’s religions, but it is really more of a world’s religions, but it is really more of a philosophy.philosophy.Confucianism deals primarily with Confucianism deals primarily with relationships among human beings, and relationships among human beings, and the ethical practices that one should the ethical practices that one should follow.follow.Confucianism is attributed to the Chinese Confucianism is attributed to the Chinese philosopher, Kong Fu’tzi, who lived from philosopher, Kong Fu’tzi, who lived from 551-472 BC. 551-472 BC.

Who was Confucius?Who was Confucius?Confucius was a teacher who lived during Confucius was a teacher who lived during the Zhou Dynasty.the Zhou Dynasty.

His success as a teacher resulted in him His success as a teacher resulted in him being appointed the Minister of Justice in being appointed the Minister of Justice in his province, Lu.his province, Lu.

During this time in China, the rulers were During this time in China, the rulers were having a hard time keeping order, and having a hard time keeping order, and warlords controlled much of the warlords controlled much of the countryside.countryside.

When a When a disagreement caused disagreement caused him to leave Lu, he him to leave Lu, he spent several years spent several years wandering, offering wandering, offering rulers advice.rulers advice.Eventually, he Eventually, he returned to Lu, returned to Lu, spending the rest of spending the rest of his days as a teacher.his days as a teacher.

The Influence SpreadThe Influence Spread

Confucius’ teaching was widely revered during Confucius’ teaching was widely revered during his lifetime, but it wasn’t widely adopted until his lifetime, but it wasn’t widely adopted until after his death.after his death.Confucianism was adopted as the state religion Confucianism was adopted as the state religion of China, by Han Emperor Wudi in 121 BC.of China, by Han Emperor Wudi in 121 BC.He hired Confucian scholars to make up his He hired Confucian scholars to make up his government staff.government staff.His influence has lasted on government for His influence has lasted on government for almost 2000 years.almost 2000 years.

Confucian BeliefsConfucian Beliefs

Confucius believed that the key to peace Confucius believed that the key to peace and social order was for everyone to and social order was for everyone to behave with good character and virtue.behave with good character and virtue.He felt that if people were taught to He felt that if people were taught to behave a certain way, then punitive rule of behave a certain way, then punitive rule of law would be unnecessary.law would be unnecessary.People would behave properly as not to People would behave properly as not to bring shame upon the family, and to not bring shame upon the family, and to not “lose face”.“lose face”.

Golden Rule of BehaviorGolden Rule of BehaviorConfucius believed in an element of Confucius believed in an element of humaneness.humaneness.

This is best expressed in what is This is best expressed in what is considered the “Ethic of Reciprocity”considered the “Ethic of Reciprocity”

It states “What you do not like when done It states “What you do not like when done unto yourself, do not do unto others”.unto yourself, do not do unto others”.

He felt that this relationship took on a He felt that this relationship took on a political realm as well as a personal one, political realm as well as a personal one, because a ruler cannot expect loyalty from because a ruler cannot expect loyalty from his subjects if he treats them inhumanely.his subjects if he treats them inhumanely.

Mandate of HeavenMandate of Heaven

The Mandate of Heaven The Mandate of Heaven is that a good and is that a good and humane ruler has “the humane ruler has “the right to rule”, while an right to rule”, while an inhumane ruler will lose inhumane ruler will lose that right.that right.However, if a ruler is However, if a ruler is proven to be benevolent proven to be benevolent and kind, it is the and kind, it is the responsibility of the responsibility of the people to follow his rules people to follow his rules and laws strictly, for it is and laws strictly, for it is their duty.their duty.

The Five Basic RelationshipsThe Five Basic Relationships

Confucius believed that there were five Confucius believed that there were five basic relationships to maintain.basic relationships to maintain. Ruler and subjectRuler and subject Father and sonFather and son Husband and WifeHusband and Wife Older brother and younger brotherOlder brother and younger brother Friend and friendFriend and friend

If each of these relationships were based If each of these relationships were based on kindness, there would be peace in the on kindness, there would be peace in the country.country.

The GentlemanThe Gentleman

According to Confucius, a man must strive According to Confucius, a man must strive to be “perfect” or known as a gentleman.to be “perfect” or known as a gentleman.

A gentleman was expected to set the tone A gentleman was expected to set the tone of society byof society by Cultivate themselves morallyCultivate themselves morally Practice filial piety, which is loyalty of father to Practice filial piety, which is loyalty of father to

sonson Cultivate humanity or benevolenceCultivate humanity or benevolence

The Small ManThe Small Man

Confucius referred to the opposite of Confucius referred to the opposite of the gentleman as “the small man”the gentleman as “the small man”

One who is small is “petty in mind and One who is small is “petty in mind and heart, narrowly self-interested, heart, narrowly self-interested, greedy, superficial, or materialisticgreedy, superficial, or materialistic”. ”.

MeritocracyMeritocracy

Confucius believed in the Confucius believed in the concept of meritocracy, concept of meritocracy, which is defined aswhich is defined as““A system in which A system in which

advancement is based advancement is based on individual ability or on individual ability or achievement” achievement”

One of Confucius’ One of Confucius’ teachings was to “seek teachings was to “seek knowledge, study, and knowledge, study, and become a better person”. become a better person”. Under Confucius’ Under Confucius’ guidance, China began to guidance, China began to administer an imperial administer an imperial examination.examination.

Removal of NepotismRemoval of Nepotism

By offering an imperial examination, it By offering an imperial examination, it meant that anyone who wanted to work for meant that anyone who wanted to work for the government could do so, as long as the government could do so, as long as they could pass the test.they could pass the test.This examination was extremely difficult.This examination was extremely difficult.This meant that those in government were This meant that those in government were there because they truly were the best and there because they truly were the best and the brightest.the brightest.They did not get the job based on family They did not get the job based on family relationships, or “who they knew”.relationships, or “who they knew”.

Religion or Philosophy?Religion or Philosophy?

Confucius was not a religious man or a Confucius was not a religious man or a prophet.prophet.

His teachings merely indicate what is His teachings merely indicate what is considered to be moral and ethical considered to be moral and ethical behavior.behavior.

Many who practice Confucianism also Many who practice Confucianism also practice aspects of Taoism and Buddhism.practice aspects of Taoism and Buddhism.

Lao Tzu and TaoismLao Tzu and TaoismThe religion of Taoism also The religion of Taoism also began in China, around the began in China, around the same time as Confucianism.same time as Confucianism.Lao Tzu, a Chinese Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher, lived from 604-philosopher, lived from 604-531BC.531BC.During his lifetime, he was During his lifetime, he was searching for ways to end searching for ways to end the feudal warfare that was the feudal warfare that was disrupting society in China.disrupting society in China.His life’s work was His life’s work was cultivated into book known cultivated into book known as the Tao-te-Ching.as the Tao-te-Ching.

The TaoThe Tao

The Tao literally translates into the concept of The Tao literally translates into the concept of “the path” or “the way”.“the path” or “the way”.It "It "refers to a power which envelops, surrounds refers to a power which envelops, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-and flows through all things, living and non-living. The Tao regulates natural processes and living. The Tao regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. It embodies nourishes balance in the Universe. It embodies the harmony of opposites (i.e. there would be no the harmony of opposites (i.e. there would be no love without hate, no light without dark, no male love without hate, no light without dark, no male without female.)without female.)" " ""Our BeliefsOur Beliefs," ," Reform Taoist CongregationReform Taoist Congregation at: at:

http://www.reformtaoism.org/

What does that mean?What does that mean?Taoists believe that life Taoists believe that life must be balanced. The must be balanced. The energy that exists all energy that exists all around us must stay in around us must stay in harmony.harmony.Taoists believe that the Taoists believe that the Tao is a force that flows Tao is a force that flows through life, and one through life, and one must listen to it to find must listen to it to find enlightenment.enlightenment.One of the most One of the most prominent Taoist symbols prominent Taoist symbols is the Yin/Yang, which is the Yin/Yang, which shows the balance that shows the balance that must be maintained in must be maintained in nature.nature.

Other Taoist BeliefsOther Taoist Beliefs

There is no god to worship. One must There is no god to worship. One must meditate inward and observe outward to meditate inward and observe outward to find the answers to life’s problems.find the answers to life’s problems.

One must cultivate the “Ch’i” or the breath One must cultivate the “Ch’i” or the breath that has been given to them.that has been given to them.

The five major organs correspond to the The five major organs correspond to the five parts of the sky- water, fire, wood, five parts of the sky- water, fire, wood, metal, and earth.metal, and earth.

The Three JewelsThe Three Jewels

A person’s main responsibility is to A person’s main responsibility is to develop virtue.develop virtue.

The Three Jewels that man is expected to The Three Jewels that man is expected to cultivate arecultivate are CompassionCompassion ModerationModeration HumilityHumility

Wu WeiWu Wei

Taoists believe in the concept of “letting Taoists believe in the concept of “letting nature take its course”nature take its course”

It is the idea of letting go, and It is the idea of letting go, and understanding that “what will be, will be”understanding that “what will be, will be”

Taoists, however, believe in planning in Taoists, however, believe in planning in advance so that one can carefully weigh advance so that one can carefully weigh the cost of one’s actions.the cost of one’s actions.

As the Dynasties fellAs the Dynasties fellIn 1911, with the fall of the Qing Dynasty, state In 1911, with the fall of the Qing Dynasty, state support for Taoism fell, especially with the rise of support for Taoism fell, especially with the rise of the Communist party.the Communist party.

Much of the Taoist heritage was destroyed Much of the Taoist heritage was destroyed during a period known as the Cultural during a period known as the Cultural Revolution.Revolution.

There are about 20 million followers of Taoism There are about 20 million followers of Taoism today, and it is centered mainly in Taiwan.today, and it is centered mainly in Taiwan.

However, it is still part of traditional practice However, it is still part of traditional practice throughout China.throughout China.

ShintoismShintoism

Shintoism is Japan’s Shintoism is Japan’s earliest religion.earliest religion.

Shintoism means the Shintoism means the “way of the gods”.“way of the gods”.

The religion is The religion is centered on centered on worshiping the kami, worshiping the kami, which are spirits that which are spirits that exist in nature.exist in nature.

The KamiThe Kami

The kami are believed The kami are believed to live in beautiful to live in beautiful places like the places like the mountains and the mountains and the rivers.rivers.

The kami are also The kami are also believed to be living in believed to be living in animals and in the animals and in the ancestors as well.ancestors as well.

Shinto BeliefShinto Belief

Most that practice Most that practice Shintoism pray or Shintoism pray or perform rituals to perform rituals to keep the kami happy.keep the kami happy.

They do not believe in They do not believe in any life after death.any life after death.

One other custom One other custom that is stressed in that is stressed in Shintoism is Shintoism is cleanliness.cleanliness.

Those that worship Those that worship Shintoism either have Shintoism either have family altars that they use family altars that they use to protect the home.to protect the home.

They also create small, They also create small, beautiful gardens where beautiful gardens where people can stop and people can stop and meditate , reflecting on meditate , reflecting on the world around them.the world around them.