Chinese Philosophies and Religions

Confucianism  Learning Objective:  Students will 1) gain an overview of the beliefs of Confucius and 2) will be able to describe how Confucianism influenced Imperial China.

What is Confucianism?  Confucianism is a philosophy based on the teachings of Confucius, who lived in China from 551 to 479 B.C.  Philosophy: a way of thinking and behaving (study of ideas)

Think/Pair/Share  A’s tell B’s what a philosophy is  B’s tell A’s  I will now pick someone to explain to the class

Confucianism Impact on Imperial China: Who? When? Beliefs Today Where? Who? When? Philosophy Beliefs Today Where? YIN and YANG. Fill in Your Graphic Organizer

Confucianism Daoism Impact on Imperial China Who? When? Beliefs Today Where? Who? When? Philosophy Beliefs Today Where? YIN and YANG Confucius Chinese philosopher 551 B.C.. China

Confucian Beliefs  Confucius’s ideas focused on creating a peaceful society  Proper conduct (behavior) in all things  Respect for elders  Education  Government service

 Confucian ideas focused on 5 relationships  1. ruler and subject  2. parent and child  3. husband and wife  4.sibling and sibling  5. friend and friend Sibling: brother or sister  In each relationship, some were above and some were below.  Those above should be kind to those below, and those below should respect and obey those above.  Example: A ruler should be kind to his people, and the people should be loyal and obey the ruler.

Whiteboards!  What values did Confucius believe would create a peaceful, stable society?  A. Proper conduct  B. respect for elders  C. education  D. government service  E. All of the above

Whiteboards!  What values did Confucius believe would create a peaceful, stable society?  E. All of the above

Whiteboards  According to Confucius, rulers had a duty to  A. Expand the empire  B. Treat all people equally  C. Be kind to their subjects  D. Ask everybody’s opinion

Whiteboards  According to Confucius, rulers had a duty to  C. Be kind to their subjects

Confucianism Daoism Impact on Imperial China Who? When? Beliefs Today Where? Who? When? Philosophy Beliefs Today Where? YIN and YANG Confucius Chinese philosopher 551 B.C.. Use right relationships to Produce social order Respect family and elders Educate everyone Act in morally correct ways Government service China

Confucianism’s Influence on Imperial China  Chinese rulers felt that government workers who had studied Confucius would be rational, moral, and able to maintain order.  Confucius’s ideas became the basis of civil service exams in China, starting in the Han dynasty  Civil service exam: a test required to become a government worker

 By the time of the Song dynasty, a true meritocracy was created. People from all classes could study the teachings of Confucius and work for the government.  Meritocracy: rule by officials of proven merit (worth)  Briefly, under the rule of the Mongols, Confucianism was not seen as important, and Chinese lost key government jobs to Mongols and foreigners.  After China re-established their own government under the Ming dynasty, Confucianism again became an important influence in Chinese life.  Chinese today continue to practice many of Confucius’s ideas.

Confucianism Daoism Impact on Imperial China Confucianism influenced the Chinese government Han Dynasty- Basis of Civil Service Exams Song dynasty- have a meritocracy Who? When? Beliefs Today Where? Who? When? Philosophy Beliefs Today Where? YIN and YANG Confucius Chinese philosopher 551 B.C.. Use right relationships to Produce social order Respect family and elders Educate everyone Act in morally correct ways Government service China

Confucianism Daoism Impact on Imperial China Confucianism influenced the Chinese government. Han Dynasty- Basis of Civil Service Exams Song dynasty- have a meritocracy Who? When? Beliefs Today Where? Who? When? Philosophy Beliefs Today Where? YIN and YANG Confucius Chinese philosopher 551 B.C.. 5 million people Influences Chinese life Use right relationships to Produce social order Respect family and elders Educate everyone Act in morally correct ways Government service China

Think / Pair / Share  Tell your partner in your own words how Confucianism influenced Imperial China.  A’s tell B’s  B’s tell A’s  I will now pick students to explain to the class.

Buddhism  Learning Objective: Students will gain an overview of Buddhism and describe how its beliefs made it an attractive religion that spread throughout Tang China, Korea, and Japan.

What is Buddhism?  Buddhism is a religion based on the life of Siddhartha Gautama, known as The Buddha, which means “enlightened one.”  The Buddha lived in India from 563 to 483 B.C.  Missionaries and traders brought the religion to China during the Han dynasty. Missionary: someone who travels so they can teach their religion to others

 Whiteboards!  Where did Buddhism originate (begin)?  India

Who? When? Philosophy Why did Buddhism appeal to Chinese and Spread in Tang China, Korea, and Japan? Where? Today Buddhism Eightfold Path Fill in Your Graphic Organizer

Who? When? Philosophy Why did Buddhism appeal to Chinese and Spread in Tang China, Korea, and Japan? Where? Today Buddhism Started in India. Missionaries and traders brought it to China Eightfold Path

Who? When? Philosophy Where? Today Buddhism Started in India. Missionaries and traders brought it to China Siddhartha Gautama B.C Eightfold Path Why did Buddhism appeal to Chinese and spread in Tang China, Korea, and Japan?

Who? When? Philosophy Why did Buddhism appeal to Chinese and Spread in Tang China, Korea, and Japan? Where? Today Buddhism Started in India. Missionaries and traders brought it to China Siddhartha Gautama B.C During the Han Dynasty 206 BC-220 AD Eightfold Path

Basic Buddhist Beliefs  Buddhists believe in 4 Noble Truths: 1.All life is suffering and pain 2.Suffering and pain are caused by desire for wealth, pleasure, fame, and power. 3.To end suffering, one must overcome desire and achieve “Nirvana”: the condition of desiring nothing 4.To overcome desire, one must follow the Middle Way or Eightfold Path

Whiteboards  What is Nirvana?  A. Desiring everything  B. Desiring nothing  C. Serving the government

Whiteboards  What is Nirvana?  B. Desiring nothing

Beliefs continued…  Until Nirvana is reached, people are caught in a cycle of death and re-birth, known as reincarnation.  To achieve Nirvana, believers meditate and follow the eightfold path: right view, right mindfulness, right intentions, right speech, right actions, right livelihood, right effort, right concentration.  Meditate: intense concentration to clear the mind and focus on a religious thought or object

Whiteboards  What does Buddhism believe about suffering?  A. The cause of suffering is desire.  B. Suffering can stop if you succeed and become wealthy.  C. Nothing can be done to overcome suffering  D. You should just live with it.

Whiteboards  What does Buddhism believe about suffering?  A. The cause of suffering is desire.

Who? When? Philosophy Why did Buddhism appeal to Chinese and Spread in Tang China, Korea, and Japan? Where? Today Buddhism The cause of suffering is desire Goal: To enter Nirvana --A condition of desiring nothing= no suffering= escape cycle of rebirth Do this by meditation and following the Eightfold Path Started in India. Missionaries and traders brought it to China Siddhartha Gautama B.C During the Han Dynasty 206 BC-220 AD Eightfold Path

Who? When? Philosophy Where? Today Buddhism The cause of suffering is desire Goal: To enter Nirvana --A condition of desiring nothing= no suffering= escape cycle of rebirth Do this by meditation and following the Eightfold Path Started in India. Missionaries and traders brought it to China Siddhartha Gautama B.C During the Han Dynasty 206 BC-220 AD Right Speech Right Intentions Right View Right Mindfulness Right Concentration Right Effort Right Livelihood Right Action Eightfold Path Why did Buddhism appeal to Chinese and Spread in Tang China, Korea, and Japan?

Buddhism Spreads  Why does Buddhism become popular in China?  During the Period of Disunion, life was difficult and harsh.  The idea that suffering could be overcome was very comforting.  After the reunification of China, Buddhism takes on greater importance during the Tang dynasty, and blends with the ideas of Confucianism in Chinese culture.

 Buddhism also spreads to the countries of Korea and Japan.  Today, 500 million people throughout the world believe in Buddhism.

Who? When? Philosophy Where? Today Buddhism The cause of suffering is desire Goal: To enter Nirvana --A condition of desiring nothing= no suffering= escape cycle of rebirth Do this by meditation and following the Eightfold Path The Idea that suffering could be overcome was comforting in difficult times. Missionaries actively spread the religion. Started in India. Missionaries and traders brought it to China Siddhartha Gautama B.C During the Han Dynasty 206 BC-220 AD Right Speech Right Intentions Right View Right Mindfulness Right Concentration Right Effort Right Livelihood Right Action Eightfold Path Why did Buddhism appeal to Chinese and Spread in Tang China, Korea, and Japan?

Who? When? Philosophy Where? Today Buddhism The cause of suffering is desire Goal: To enter Nirvana --A condition of desiring nothing= no suffering= escape cycle of rebirth Do this by meditation and following the Eightfold Path Started in India. Missionaries and traders brought it to China Siddhartha Gautama B.C During the Han Dynasty 206 BC-220 AD 500 million. people South East Asia, India, Japan China England USA Right Speech Right Intentions Right View Right Mindfulness Right Concentration Right Effort Right Livelihood Right Action Eightfold Path Why did Buddhism appeal to Chinese and Spread in Tang China, Korea, and Japan? The Idea that suffering could be overcome was comforting in difficult times. Missionaries actively spread the religion.

Think / Pair / Share  Tell your partner in your own words why many people in China turned to Buddhism.  A’s tell B’s  B’s tell A’s  I will now pick students to explain to the class.

Daoism (Taoism)  Learning Objective: Students will be able to identify China’s other major religion and define the concept of yin and yang.

What is Daoism?  Daoism is a religion based on the teachings of Lao-tzu, who lived in China from 606 to 530 B.C.

Confucianism Daoism Impact on Imperial China Han Dynasty- Basis of Civil Service Exams Song dynasty- have a meritocracy Mongol period- Confucianism becomes unimportant to rulers, until Mongols are kicked out of China Who? When? Beliefs Today Where? Who? When? Philosophy Beliefs Today Where? YIN and YANG Confucius Chinese philosopher 551 B.C.. 5 million people Influences Chinese life Use right relationships to Produce social order Respect family and elders Educate everyone Act in morally correct ways China Fill in Your Graphic Organizer

Confucianism Daoism. Impact on Imperial China Who? When? Beliefs Today Where? Who? When? Philosophy Beliefs Today Where? YIN and YANG Confucius Chinese philosopher 551 B.C.. 5 million people Influences Chinese life Use right relationships to Produce social order Respect family and elders Educate everyone Act in morally correct ways China Lao-tzu China Lived 606 t0 530 B.C. Han Dynasty- Basis of Civil Service Exams Song dynasty- have a meritocracy Mongol period- Confucianism becomes unimportant to rulers, until Mongols are kicked out of China

Daoist beliefs  Daoism believes in achieving harmony with the force of nature.  It is important to have a balance between opposite natural forces. These forces are called Yin and Yang.  Example: female/male, earth/sky, dark/light, cold/heat.

Confucianism Daoism Impact on Imperial China Who? When? Beliefs Today Where? Who? When? Philosophy Beliefs Today Where? YIN and YANG Confucius Chinese philosopher 551 B.C.. 5 million people Influences Chinese life Use right relationships to Produce social order Respect family and elders Educate everyone Act in morally correct ways China Lao-tzu 2 opposing Forces. Yin=darkness Femininity Yang=brightness Masculinity Living in harmony with nature China Lived 606 to 530 B.C. Han Dynasty-Basis of Civil Service Exams Song dynasty- have a meritocracy Mongol period- Confucianism becomes unimportant to rulers, until Mongols are kicked out of China

Confucianism Daoism Impact on Imperial China Who? When? Beliefs Today Where? Who? When? Philosophy Beliefs Today Where? YIN and YANG Confucius Chinese philosopher 551 B.C.. 5 million people Influences Chinese life Use right relationships to Produce social order Respect family and elders Educate everyone Act in morally correct ways China Lao-tzu They relate to each Other in a spirit of natural kindness, Tolerance, and Humility. 2 opposing Forces. Yin=darkness Femininity Yang=brightness Masculinity Living in harmony With nature Influences Chinese life China Lived 606 to 530 B.C. Han Dynasty- Basis of Civil Service Exams Song dynasty- have a meritocracy Mongol period- Confucianism becomes unimportant to rulers, until Mongols are kicked out of China

Whiteboards  Yin and Yang are:  A. Opposing natural forces  B. Two old Chinese Philosophers  C. A Buddhist belief

Whiteboards  Yin and Yang are:  A. Opposing natural forces

Think / Pair / Share  List the 3 major Chinese philosophies and religions.  A’s tell B’s  B’s tell A’s  I will now pick someone to explain to the class.

REVIEW

Whiteboards!  What values did Confucius believe would create a peaceful, stable society?  A. Proper conduct  B. respect for elders  C. education  D. government service  E. All of the above

Whiteboards!  What values did Confucius believe would create a peaceful, stable society?  E. All of the above

Whiteboards  According to Confucius, rulers had a duty to  A. Expand the empire  B. Treat all people equally  C. Be kind to their subjects  D. Ask everybody’s opinion

Whiteboards  According to Confucius, rulers had a duty to  C. Be kind to their subjects

Whiteboards  What is Nirvana?  A. Desiring everything  B. Desiring nothing  C. Serving the government

Whiteboards  What is Nirvana?  B. Desiring nothing

Think / Pair / Share  Tell your partner in your own words why many people in China turned to Buddhism.  A’s tell B’s  B’s tell A’s  I will now pick students to explain to the class.

Whiteboards  Yin and Yang are:  A. Opposing natural forces  B. Two old Chinese Philosophers  C. A Buddhist belief

Whiteboards  Yin and Yang are:  A. Opposing natural forces

Whiteboards  What does Buddhism believe about suffering?  A. The cause of suffering is desire.  B. Suffering can stop if you succeed and become wealthy.  C. Nothing can be done to overcome suffering  D. You should just live with it.

Whiteboards  What does Buddhism believe about suffering?  A. The cause of suffering is desire.