Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 7

Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 7 Chinese Religions

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions The basics Ø Chinese religions are a blend of practices: Chinese folk religion Taoism Confucianism Buddhism

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Periods of hindu history §Page 280

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History Shang Dynasty (16 th– 11 th BCE) § veneration of ancestors § veneration of nature gods § highest god is called Ti Chou Dynasty (11 -2 nd BCE) § the practice of divination (the attempt to interpret signs § elderly ancestors are from nature such as astrology) revered § highest god is called T’ien § the notion of the Mandate of Heaven (conferred on kings)

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History (continued) Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) • The teachings of confucius become the state ideology by imperial decree • Confucianism begins to move toward egalitarianism (social equality) • Character building is a lifelong process of education and self-discipline

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History (continued) Confucius: • Lived from about 551 to 479 BCE • A chinese philosopher who considered to be the “father of chinese culture” by many • His sayings (analects) became the source of his teaching • Emphasized the building of moral character • Proper ritual observance and moral persuasion were his formula for success

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History (continued) Lao-tzu: • A chinese philosopher and founder of taoism • Wrote the tao-te ching or “The way and its power” • Taoists priests encourage methods of selfperfection and help individuals control the forces of yin and yang

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History (continued) Yin and yang: n n § § § Complementary, harmonious play of pairs of opposites in the universe They are not interdependent --- one defines the othere is no antagonism between the pairs, for both are needed each contains a little of the other nature is in a continual dance to remain balanced between the yin and the yang

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions History (continued) The Chinese communist revolution of 1949: § placed Confucianism in disfavor § believed all religion was elitist, out-dated and a threat to personal freedom § current government monitors the selection of religious leaders in the various traditions and has suppressed sacred places and spaces

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Sacred stories and sacred scriptures Ø historical documents The Five Classics Ø anthology of poems Ø manual for divination Ø records of the state of Lu Ø works on the principles of li

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Sacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued) Four Books The Analects (sayings of Confucius) The Great Learning (details of how perfection can benefit society) Doctrine of the Mean (philosophical utterances with commentaries) Book of Meng-tzu (sayings of the great follower of Confucius)

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Sacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued) Tao-te Ching v the central scripture within Taoism v attributed to Lao-tsu

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Beliefs and practices Things emphasized in Confucianism: § belief in the high god Heaven and various Chinese deities § striving for perfection through relationships with one another § folk rituals and practices

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Beliefs and practices (continued) Things emphasized in Taoism: § moving in harmony with Tao (the nature of things) § a return to simplicity and harmony with all creation § immortality which is the goal of the Taoist § beliefs in a pantheon of gods § Chinese living rooted in family structures and ancestor veneration

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Beliefs and practices (continued) Chinese are Confucian in public, Taoist in private, and Buddhist with regard to death.

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Sacred time Chinese New Year Prayers and homage to Tso Kwan Tin Hau Honors the mother of boat people and sailors Mid Autumn Festival Recalls when Chinese rulers carefully studied the moon Ching Ming Honors deceased relatives Dragon Boat Festival Honors a famous Chinese patriot named Wut Yuah

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Sacred places and sacred spaces Ancestor Gravesites providing for the needs of the deceased Shrine of Ancestors to local gods and ancestors Temples Taoist and Buddhist local and state temples

Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Vocabulary n n n Divination n Astrology n Cult n Neo-confucianism n Yin and yang n Koan n chun-tzu li jen Tao wu-wei hsien n n feng-shui spirit tablet communion of saints intercession inculturation