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Chinese and JapaneseChinese and Japanese

LiteratureLiteratureCharacteristics, Beliefs, andCharacteristics, Beliefs, and

PhilosophersPhilosophers

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T he What and the WhenT he What and the When1200 B.C. to 800 century A.D.1200 B.C. to 800 century A.D.

Around the World: Around the World:First recorded Olympic gamesFirst recorded Olympic games

Roman Republic is createdRoman Republic is createdT he First Great Wall is begunT he First Great Wall is begunJulius Caesar is assassinatedJulius Caesar is assassinated

Jesus is crucifiedJesus is crucifiedBirth of MuhammedBirth of Muhammed

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T he T hree Systems of T he T hree Systems of T hought in ChineseT hought in Chinese

LiteratureLiterature

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ConfucianismConfucianism

Based on the teachings of Confucius, a wiseBased on the teachings of Confucius, a wiseteacher living from 551teacher living from 551- -479 B.C.479 B.C.

Focuses on the importance of familyFocuses on the importance of familyrelationships and order in society. Emphasizedrelationships and order in society. Emphasizedvirtue in all interactions between people andvirtue in all interactions between people and

valued learning, respect, and duty.valued learning, respect, and duty.

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T aoismT aoism

From the teachings of LaoFrom the teachings of Lao- -tzu, a man or tzu, a man or myth who had a miraculous birth, lived tomyth who had a miraculous birth, lived to

be 160, and sought virtue and harmony.be 160, and sought virtue and harmony.

Based on following the Way, or T ao, aBased on following the Way, or T ao, auniversal force underlying all of life.universal force underlying all of life.T aoists sought humanity, simplicity, andT aoists sought humanity, simplicity, andharmony with nature.harmony with nature.

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BuddhismBuddhism

Based on the teachings of SiddharthaBased on the teachings of SiddharthaGautama.Gautama.

Buddhism is more a religion than aBuddhism is more a religion than aphilosophy which emphasized detachmentphilosophy which emphasized detachmentof earthly life in order to attain spiritualof earthly life in order to attain spiritualenlightenment.enlightenment.

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Moral T eachings throughMoral T eachings through

LiteratureLiterature

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MaximMaxim

A statement of general truth about human A statement of general truth about humanbehavior, perhaps offering some practicalbehavior, perhaps offering some practicaladvice as well.advice as well.

Example: T o study without thinking isExample: T o study without thinking isfutile. T o think without is studying isfutile. T o think without is studying isdangerous.dangerous.

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Anecdote Anecdote

A brief story that focuses on a single A brief story that focuses on a singleinteresting event, sometimes taken frominteresting event, sometimes taken fromthe life of a real person. T he event isthe life of a real person. T he event ismeant to illustrate a particular truth or meant to illustrate a particular truth or teaching.teaching.

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ParableParable A brief story but its teaching is more pointed. Each plot A brief story but its teaching is more pointed. Each plotdetail is intended to illustrate some aspect of some moraldetail is intended to illustrate some aspect of some moraltruth.truth.

Example: You are wise brothers, he told them. YouExample: You are wise brothers, he told them. Youknow what is right and what is not right. You may goknow what is right and what is not right. You may gosomewhere else to study if you wish, but this poor somewhere else to study if you wish, but this poor brother does not even know right from wrong. Who willbrother does not even know right from wrong. Who willteach him if I do not? I am going to keep him here even if teach him if I do not? I am going to keep him here even if all the rest of you leave.all the rest of you leave.

A torrent of tears cleansed the face of the brother who A torrent of tears cleansed the face of the brother whohad stolen. All desire to steal had vanished.had stolen. All desire to steal had vanished.

-- from Right and Wrongfrom Right and Wrong

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Japanese LiteratureJapanese Literature

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ShintoShinto

T he oldest and original religion in JapanT he oldest and original religion in JapanIt is based on the reverence for natureIt is based on the reverence for nature

very simplisticvery simplisticBuddhism was later introduced in one formBuddhism was later introduced in one formknown as Zenknown as Zen

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ZenZen

T he attempt to achieve spiritualT he attempt to achieve spiritualenlightenment through self enlightenment through self- -discipline anddiscipline andmeditation.meditation.T he key idea = Harmony with natureT he key idea = Harmony with nature

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K inds of PoetryK inds of Poetry

T ankaT anka means short songsmeans short songs

Lyrical poems that express a single thought or Lyrical poems that express a single thought or tell a brief storytell a brief storyHas 31 syllables divided among 5 linesHas 31 syllables divided among 5 linesInspired Haiku poetry (3 lines of 17 syllables)Inspired Haiku poetry (3 lines of 17 syllables)

Haiku = creates an emotion or observationHaiku = creates an emotion or observationabout natureabout nature