CHINESE RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES Yang Yin Daoism Confucianism

CHINESE RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES Yang &Yin, Daoism, Confucianism, Legalism And Buddhism

THE YANG AND THE YIN Ancient Chinese thinking (1000 BCE) l Appreciation of the natural cycle of the earth and the idea of harmony and order l Opposites, balance l Adopted by Daoists l

THE YANG AND THE YIN l l THE YANG Active, warm, dry Expansive, procreative Hot THE YIN l Lower slower l Breeder l Cold l

DAOISM THE DAO IS “THE WAY” v The way things should go if not disrupted by the perverse actions of man v If all were to follow the Dao - heaven, earth and humankind would be in perfect harmony v

Lao Zi v v 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

v v v DAO DE JING The 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 v v v “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 v Govern lightly v Govern with a serving attitude v Treat other countries nonaggressively v (Let the people live in harmony with nature, in small, self-reliant communities)

The Three Jewels v Compassion - leads to courage v Moderation - leads to generosity v Humility - leads to leadership

CHARACTERISTICS OF DAOISM v v Daoism has endured in to the modern world and has taken many forms Mystical, magical Philosophical Monastic

CONFUCIANISM )STRESSES LIVING IN THE WORLD APPROPRIATELY, RATHER THAN WITHDRAWING FROM IT.

CONFUCIUS ) Kong-zi (551 -479 BC) ) Poor but respectable family, who valued a good education ) Gentlemanly ways ) Becomes bureaucrat ) Then teacher, scholar

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

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

Warring States Period 480 -221 BCE )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 morals )Society, the family and government must function better to restore order

5 Great Relationships l Father - son l Elder brother - younger brother l Husband - wife l Ruler - subject l Friend - friend

5 Great Relationships )Both parties have rights and responsibilities, BUT generally )Older person favored over a younger person )A male had more rights than a female )A person of high rank had more rights than a person of low rank

5 Cardinal Virtues Tree Metaphor )The root “jen” - seeks the general good )The trunk - righteousness by justice )The branches “li” - moral ways )The flower - wisdom )The fruit - faithfulness

Characteristics of Confucian Thought )Scholastic )Orderly, hierarchical )Conservative )How does this explain China’s failure to keep up with Western innovation after the Renaissance?

LEGALISM n n n Arose in opposition to Confucian thought Shi Huang Di - the first true Emperor of China and founder of the Qin dynasty wanted a new order Thought Confucianism was naïve and impractical

CONFUCIANISM VS. LEGALISM

“Confucius says…” n That if a ruler is good and sets a good example, then his subjects will be good. n Does this always apply?

Legalist thought that… n People will do whatever they can get away with n Need tough laws and harsh punishments n Need to offer material rewards for those who cooperate with the ruler.

Han Fei Zi Philosopher of Legalism Humans are selfish and materialistic by nature n The ruler must control the state. n Everyone seeks to avoid punishment and earn reward. n “THE CARROT AND n THE STICK”

Legalism and the Qin Dynasty n n n Emperor Shi Huang Di wanted reform: Land ownership to anyone New currency New script and writing tools Conservative officials object

Legalist Tactics n n Book burnings to destroy Confucian thought (kept a copy) Network of spies to turn in neighbors Rewards for in formants Arrest and intimidation of political opponents

Characteristics of Legalism Realistic n Harsh n Structured n n What governments in modern times have 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

BUDDHISM ¬ Founded by Siddhartha Gautama ¬ Born in 563 BCE in Nepal as a local prince ¬ Becomes disenchanted w/ worldly pleasures ¬ Explores Hindu beliefs and tries strict self-denial of the ascetics, but rejects this path ¬ Meditates 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 thinking ¬Rejected by the Confucians ¬Focus is on individual, not society and family ¬“other worldly” and too self absorbed ¬Buddhist nuns and priests left their families ¬Withdrew 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

Appeal of Buddhism in China ¬ Offered escape ¬ Hope for a better life in the next world ¬ Reward for the good ¬ Punishment for the wicked ¬ Rituals, temples and statues

Buddhism is ¬Ritualistic ¬Disciplined ¬Meditative ¬ How is Buddhism linked to the practice of martial arts?

Shaolin Temple in China Birthplace of the Martial Arts