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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. THE WU WEI Doing things seemingly without effort
“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

8. “The Way” of Governing Govern lightly Govern with a serving attitude
Treat other countries non-aggressively
(Let the people live in harmony with nature, in small, self-reliant communities)

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

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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 5 Great Relationships Father - son Elder brother - younger brother
Husband - wife
Ruler - subject
Friend - friend

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. LEGALISM 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

22. CONFUCIANISM VS. LEGALISM

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

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

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

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

27. Legalist Tactics
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

28. Characteristics of Legalism
Realistic
Harsh
Structured
What governments in modern times have used similar methods to the Legalists?

29. 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

30. 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

31. BUDDHISM

32. 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

33. Buddhist Beliefs Four Noble Truths 2) The cause of suffering is desire
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

34. Buddhist Beliefs Eight Fold Path Right belief
Right aspiration or purpose
Right speech
Right conduct
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right meditation

36. Tripitaka Collection of Buddhist Sacred Writings Sermons of Buddha
Interpretation of Buddhist doctrine
Rules of monastic life

37. 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”

38. 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

39. ZEN BUDDHISM
Practice of Buddhism that reflects Daoist and Confucian influences
Spread to Vietnam, Korea and Japan

40. 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

41. 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

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

43. Shaolin Temple in China Birthplace of the Martial Arts