Post on 19-Jan-2016
transcript
CHINESE RELIGIONS CHINESE RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIESAND PHILOSOPHIES
Yang &Yin, Daoism, Yang &Yin, Daoism, Confucianism, Legalism Confucianism, Legalism
And BuddhismAnd Buddhism
THE YANG AND THE YINTHE YANG AND THE YIN
Ancient Chinese Ancient Chinese thinking (1000 BCE)thinking (1000 BCE)
Appreciation of the Appreciation of the natural cycle of the natural cycle of the earth and the idea of earth and the idea of harmony and orderharmony and order
Opposites, balanceOpposites, balance Adopted by DaoistsAdopted by Daoists
THE YANG AND THE YINTHE YANG AND THE YIN
THE YANGTHE YANG Active, warm, dryActive, warm, dry Expansive, Expansive,
procreativeprocreative HotHot
THE YINTHE YIN Lower slowerLower slower BreederBreeder ColdCold
DAOISM
THE DAO IS “THE WAY” The way things should go if not disrupted
by the perverse actions of man If all were to follow the Dao - heaven,
earth and humankind would be in perfect harmony
Lao Zi
Philosopher of the Dao
Born 604 BCE Life clouded in myth withdrew from the
distractions of the world by going off in to the mountains on a water buffalo
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DAO DE JINGThe treatise (writings)
of the Dao Compiled and written down by followers Expands on Yin and Yang, Wu Wei, Governing
and the Three Jewels “oneness with nature” “action without assertion” “development without domination” “production without possession
THE WU WEI
“without action” Doing things seemingly without effort Going with the flow of nature Perfecting the practice of Daoism Those who try to change or improve on nature
only produce chaos One should be free of material possessions and
desires
“The Way” of Governing
Govern lightlyGovern with a serving attitudeTreat other countries non-
aggressively (Let the people live in harmony with
nature, in small, self-reliant communities)
The Three Jewels
Compassion - leads to courageModeration - leads to generosityHumility - leads to leadership
CHARACTERISTICS OF DAOISM
Daoism has endured in to the modern world and has taken many forms
Mystical, magical Philosophical Monastic
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CONFUCIANISM
STRESSES LIVING IN THE WORLD APPROPRIATELY, RATHER THAN WITHDRAWING FROM IT.
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CONFUCIUS
Kong-zi (551-479 BC) Poor but respectable
family, who valued a good education
Gentlemanly ways Becomes bureaucrat Then teacher, scholar
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5 CONFUCIAN CLASSICS
Confucius is credited with composing these five books, which later become the standard for Chinese education:
History, Poetry, Rites, Changes (numerology) and Spring & Autumn
Confucius probably relied heavily on existing works
MENCIUS(Meng xi)
Follower of Confucius Lived 100 years later Probably the greatest
writer of the Confucian school
Rewrote many passages of the classics
Promoted Confucian thought
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THE ANALECTS
Collection of Confucian thought and sayings compiled by Mencius and other disciples
A rule book for proper social interaction
Stress “filial piety” or responsibility for the welfare of others, starting with family members
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Warring States Period480-221BCE
Confucianism arose as a reaction to the disruption and chaos at the end of the Zhou dynasty
Confucius saw humans as corrupt, but not beyond redemption
People had grown lazy in their moralsSociety, the family and government must function
better to restore order
5 Great Relationships5 Great Relationships
Father - sonFather - sonElder brother - younger brotherElder brother - younger brotherHusband - wife Husband - wife Ruler - subjectRuler - subjectFriend - friendFriend - friend
5 Great Relationships
Both parties have rights and responsibilities, BUT generally
Older person favored over a younger personA male had more rights than a femaleA person of high rank had more rights than a
person of low rank
5 Cardinal VirtuesTree Metaphor
The root “jen” - seeks the general goodThe trunk - righteousness by justiceThe branches “li” - moral waysThe flower - wisdomThe fruit - faithfulness
Characteristics of Confucian Thought
ScholasticOrderly, hierarchicalConservative
How does this explain China’s failure to keep up with Western innovation after the Renaissance?
LEGALISMLEGALISM
Arose in opposition to Arose in opposition to Confucian thoughtConfucian thought
Shi Huang DiShi Huang Di - the - the first true Emperor of first true Emperor of China and founder of China and founder of the Qin dynasty the Qin dynasty wanted a new orderwanted a new order
Thought Thought Confucianism was Confucianism was naïve and impracticalnaïve and impractical
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CONFUCIANISM VS. CONFUCIANISM VS. LEGALISMLEGALISM
““Confucius says…”Confucius says…”
That if a ruler is good and sets a good That if a ruler is good and sets a good example, then his subjects will be example, then his subjects will be good.good.
Does this always apply?Does this always apply?
Legalist thought that…Legalist thought that…
People will do whatever they can get People will do whatever they can get away withaway with
Need tough laws and harsh Need tough laws and harsh punishmentspunishments
Need to offer material rewards for Need to offer material rewards for those who cooperate with the ruler.those who cooperate with the ruler.
Han Fei ZiHan Fei ZiPhilosopher of LegalismPhilosopher of Legalism
Humans are selfish and materialistic by Humans are selfish and materialistic by naturenature
The ruler must control the state.The ruler must control the state. Everyone seeks to avoid punishment and Everyone seeks to avoid punishment and
earn reward.earn reward. ““THE CARROT ANDTHE CARROT AND THE STICK”THE STICK”
Legalism and the Qin DynastyLegalism and the Qin Dynasty
Emperor Shi Huang Di wanted reform:Emperor Shi Huang Di wanted reform: Land ownership to anyoneLand ownership to anyone New currencyNew currency New script and writing toolsNew script and writing tools
Conservative officialsConservative officials objectobject
Legalist TacticsLegalist Tactics
Book burnings to Book burnings to destroy Confucian destroy Confucian thought (kept a copy)thought (kept a copy)
Network of spies to Network of spies to turn in neighbors turn in neighbors
Rewards for in Rewards for in formantsformants
Arrest and Arrest and intimidation of political intimidation of political opponentsopponents
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Characteristics of Legalism Characteristics of Legalism
RealisticRealistic HarshHarsh StructuredStructured
What governments in modern times have What governments in modern times have used similar methods to the Legalists?used similar methods to the Legalists?
ORIGINS OF BUDDHISM
Buddhism originates in India
More related to Hindu culture than to traditional Chinese thinking
But spreads to China in the First Century
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BUDDHISM
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama Born in 563 BCE in Nepal as a local princeBecomes disenchanted w/ worldly pleasuresExplores Hindu beliefs and tries strict self-denial
of the ascetics, but rejects this pathMeditates under Bo Tree, faces temptations Transformed to the Buddha, “enlightened one”,
45 year ministry
BUDDHISM
Buddhist Beliefs
Accept reincarnation Dharma – duty of the soul Karma – good and bad deeds follow you Rejects worship of Hindu Gods Rejects caste system Progress of soul depends on person’s deeds Embrace the Four Noble Truths Follow The 8 Fold Path
Buddhist Beliefs
Four Noble Truths– 1) Suffering is universal
– 2) The cause of suffering is desire
– 3) To end suffering, one must crush desire
– 4) Follow the Eight Fold Path
Buddhist Beliefs
Eight Fold Path– Right belief
– Right aspiration or purpose
– Right speech
– Right conduct
– Right livelihood
– Right effort
– Right mindfulness
– Right meditation
Tripitaka
Collection of Buddhist Sacred Writings– Sermons of Buddha– Interpretation of Buddhist doctrine– Rules of monastic life
Buddhist Beliefs
Goal is Nirvana Not a place like “heaven” but “The state of wanting nothing”“Perfect peace”“Release from want and pain”“Lost in God”
Buddhism in China
Broke from traditional Chinese thinkingRejected by the ConfuciansFocus is on individual, not society and
family“other worldly” and too self absorbedBuddhist nuns and priests left their
familiesWithdrew from society
ZEN BUDDHISM
Practice of Buddhism that reflects Daoist and Confucian influences
Spread to Vietnam, Korea and Japan
Chinese buddha
The “fat” or “laughing” buddha is associated with Chinese Buddhism
This buddha represents good luck and prosperity in keeping with Chinese culture and tradition
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Appeal of Buddhism in China
Offered escapeHope for a better life
in the next worldReward for the goodPunishment for the
wickedRituals, temples and
statues
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Buddhism is
RitualisticDisciplinedMeditative
How is Buddhism linked to the practice of martial arts?
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Shaolin Temple in ChinaBirthplace of the Martial Arts
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