PRIMARY BELIEF SYSTEMS/RELIGIONS OF CHINA

CONFUCIANISM “Learning without thought is labor lost, thought without learning is perilous.”

Confucianism Most influential school of classical Chinese thought. Belief system based on the teachings of Kong Fu Zi (Confucius) Confucius lived 551 to 479 B.C. During his time war, poverty and crime increased. This violence and moral decay troubled Confucius

Belief was constructed around “filial piety.” The superior person is responsible for the well-being of the inferior person and must also set a good example for them.

Five basic relationships 1.Ruler and subject 2.Parent and child 3.Husband and wife 4.Elder sibling to younger sibling 5.Friend to friend -In each relationship, individuals had duties and responsibilities to one another -In first four relationships, one person was view as superior -Fifth relationship was one of equality.

Confucius and family Family basic unit of Chinese society Family relationships important Stressed filial piety – repaying the kindness of one’s parents, elders and family ancestors Stressed courtesy, hard work, service and loyalty.

Confucianism is based on ritual and tradition Urged people to uphold great traditions and customs of the past, so society could be well ordered again Returning to the past required a code of conduct based on strict moral behaviors Also strongly encourages education to create skilled and fair members of society/government

DAOISM / TAOISM “Those who know the Dao do not speak of it; those who speak of it do not know it.”

Founded by the philosopher Lao Zi (low dzuh) whose life supposedly overlapped with that of Confucius. Second most influential school of classical Chinese thought.

Daoism Unlike Confucianists, Daoists focused on the link between people & nature over the importance of proper behavior. Those living in harmony with nature would naturally live in harmony with one another. People should find happiness and peace within themselves, rather than depending on success and wealth.

Dao (or “The Way”) – a universal force connected to nature that cannot be defined, only experienced and felt The ultimate goal of Daoism is to follow the “way” but it is never (and can never be) specifically defined.

Daoism – The Way Origins of society’s ills are greed, arrogance, desire for wealth and attention Since nothing in nature strives for fame, power or wealth, people should observe nature & try to live in harmony with it. This will help them find the Dao and harmonious existence. Believed government is best with the fewest rules and laws; emphasis was put on simplicity

The Dao Harmony comes from balancing the opposite forces of nature: yin and yang Yin – negative, dark, feminine Yang – positive, light, masculine

“The ruler alone possesses power, wielding it like lightning or like thunder.”

The basic concepts of Legalism opposed both Confucianism and Daoism. Rituals and ethics are not effective societal controls. Education is not supported; no point to history, literature or poetry. Most important to success is hard work, a large army and farming. Best way to control society is through written law. Han Feizi, the most noted Legalist writer

Shang Yang Shi Huangdi

Since human nature is inherently wicked, the government must pass strict laws to force obedience and control behavior. Emperor Shi Huangdi and his Prime Minister Shang Yang used these legalist ideas to make Qin the most powerful of the Warring States and enabled other kingdoms to unite into the first Chinese Empire. Though legalism was soon after discredited for being too harsh & rigid, but the Chinese Empire it helped create lasted long after this school of thought “died.”

BUDDHISM “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”

Buddhism Founded by Siddhartha Gautama in India around 535 B.C. Found its way to China via trade routes (like the Silk Road) in the 1 st century. Life is an endless cycle of pain. Only way to escape pain is to seek wisdom.

3 previous schools of thought dealt with life on Earth Buddhism offered escape from the suffering of earthly life Goal is to gain Nirvana, which is the point at which you are no longer reincarnated. When you no longer desire materials things in life, you can reach Nirvana.

The Middle Path Involves living an ethical (morally correct), compassionate life. Involves meditation and participation in rituals A practical guideline to end suffering. Guidelines are the eightfold path

The Eightfold Path Like an ascending staircase of eight steps Must master one step at a time before moving on to the next step Once all steps are mastered, one could escape suffering and enlightenment or nirvana is attained Individuals are reincarnated and subjected to lifetimes of suffering until nirvana is reached.

The Eightfold Path 1.Right knowledge 2.Right purpose 3.Right speech 4.Right action 5.Right living 6.Right effort 7.Right mindfulness 8.Right meditation

Summation These belief systems (for the most part) were born out of a time of unrest in China, generally referred to as the “Period of Disunity.” What they generally have in common is the desire to find harmony and peace within the society.