Chapter Eight Chinese Religions

Basic Chinese Religious Concepts Recognition of Multiple Gods and Spirits The earliest Chinese religions were based on multiple gods and spirits that controlled the universe They were polytheistic and animistic and were particularly concerned with the gods of Heaven and Earth There were also local deities © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Basic Chinese Religious Concepts Ying and Yang The universe operated because of the balance of yin and yang Yin was the negative force in nature Darkness, Coolness, Femaleness Yang was the positive force Brightness, Warmth, Maleness Everything in the universe was a combination of those forces © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Basic Chinese Religious Concepts Filial Piety and Ancestor Worship Throughout history, the Chinese engaged in ancestor veneration, or the respect for and veneration of aged members of the family The term “old” in Chinese society is seen as a sign of respect and a great compliment © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Basic Chinese Religious Concepts Divination The early Chinese believed that the universe allowed for future events to be predicted The Chinese used the shells of tortoises or stalks of grain for divination I Ching © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Basic Chinese Religious Concepts Development of Belief in the Shang Ti In the eleventh century, the Chou rules started to assert that the right to rule had to be based on morality and religion They further asserted that one supreme god controlled the destinies of all of mankind – Shang Ti He rewarded moral behavior © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Basic Chinese Religious Concepts Decline of the Feudal System The feudal system began to break down between the 8th and 3rd centuries B.C.E. Lords were no longer able to protect their vassals from foreign invasion Three Chinese schools then entered the picture: Confucianism, Legalists, and Taoism © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Taoism The Life of Lao-tzu Lao-tzu is the founder of Taoism, although some scholars doubt that he was a real historical figure Legend has it that Lao-tzu sought to leave the country but was not allowed to go until he wrote down the sum of his wisdom – the Tao Tê Ching © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Taoism The Tao Tê Ching The Tao Tê Ching is one of the most influential books in Chinese literature It has been translated more than any other book aside from the Bible The theme of the Tao Tê Ching is that all human achievements are folly, especially elaborate governments © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Teachings of the Early Taoist Philosophers Taoism Teachings of the Early Taoist Philosophers The themes of early Taoism are: The unity behind the universe is a mysterious and undefinable force called the Tao “Tao” is sometimes defined as the way of the universe Life is the greatest of all possessions Life is to be lived simply Pomp and glory are to be despised © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Schools that Rivaled the Early Taoists Taoism Schools that Rivaled the Early Taoists Confucians An idealized feudal system is the best system of government Legalists Government should do good for the majority Mohists Government should follow traditional Chinese religion that teaches love and pacificity © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Later Development of Taoism Taoism was basically concerned with living life in harmony with the Tao An offshoot of Taoism took the Tao concept and tried to use it to seek immortality Alchemy was also used as a popular method for seeking to extend life Taoism has continued to have a hold on common people through the present time © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Confucianism The Life of Confucius Confucius, a Westernized name, was actually called Kung and his disciples called him K’ung Fu-tzu Confucius was born in 550 B.C.E. to a wealthy family who had become poor during the decline of the feudal states Confucius showed interest in government as a student © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Confucianism The Life of Confucius Confucius became a teacher and particularly taught principles of good government At age fifty, Confucius was asked to join the government and put his principles to work After retirement, he wrote classical texts © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Teachings of Confucius Confucianism The Teachings of Confucius There are debates about whether Confucius created a religion or was an atheist But he basically believed that, although gods existed, they were secondary to an equitable social order © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Teachings of Confucius Confucianism The Teachings of Confucius Confucius taught several themes: The course of life as it is intended to go (Li) Five basic relationships in life: Father-son; elder brother-younger brother; husband-wife; elder-junior; and ruler-subject We should pursue Jen or love and good-heartedness © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Development of Confucianism After Confucius’ death, his disciples scattered and spread his message Interpretations of Confucius’ works by Mencius and Hsün Tzŭ helped to keep his words alive In addition to acting as an education theory, a cult of Confucius himself developed during the Han dynasty © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Traditional Chinese Holidays Chinese New Year Occurs at the end of January and is associated with a new animal each year Emphasizes cleaning and renewal Pure and Bright Festival Families clean and reorder the ancestors’ graves in preparation for spring The Dragon Boat Festival Celebrates summer with boat races © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Traditional Chinese Holidays All Souls’ Day Souls are released in a kind of purgatory, and families can make offerings to them Autumn Harvest Festival Includes the reading of poetry and viewing the full moon Winter Holidays The renewal of the universe © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Religion in China Today Throughout history, Chinese governments have attempted to control religion Particularly during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, religious and political conflicts an natural disasters have created chaos in much of China In 1949, China underwent a Marxist revolution and became the People’s Republic of China © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Religion in China Today The Marxist government told citizens that they had freedom of religion But the Marxist government sought to suppress religious belief – especially from outsiders like Christians and Muslims Since Mao’s death, the government has become more open to religion But to be officially recognized, religions must accept official censorship © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.