The Three Belief Systems of China Buddhism Daoism Confucianism

Buddhism: Background Buddhism is one of the major religions of the world today. It was founded in India around 500 B.C. by Siddartha Gautama, aka “The Buddha.” At various times, Buddhism has been a dominant religious, cultural, and social force in most of Asia. In each area, Buddhism has combined with elements of other religions, such as Hinduism and Shinto. Today, Buddhism has about 350 million followers. Most live in Sri Lanka, the mainland nations of Southeast Asia, and Japan.

Buddhism Terms to Know Reincarnation = Idea that when a person dies, their soul is reborn in a new body. Importance: your soul never dies. Siddartha Gautama = Buddha’s real name, (563-483 B.C.) Dharma =The body of teachings expounded by the Buddha Nirvana = a state of perfect peace, desiring nothing Karma =seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation

Buddhism - Foundings Q: Buddhism was founded in India. How did it get from India to China? A: Monks brought his ideas to China around 200 AD using the Silk Road

Goal of Buddhist Monks = Bring everyone to enlightenment

Buddha’s Teachings: The Four Noble Truths How do they support each other? #1. Life is suffering and pain #2. Suffering and pain are caused by desire for wealth, pleasure, fame, and power. #3. End suffering by overcoming desire. #4. To overcome desire, one must follow the “8 Fold Path” (Middle Way)...

…The Middle Way – How to be a good Buddhist: My pain and suffering will be over when I quit running! Morally excellent conduct 2. Compassion for all living things 3. Calmness and purity of mind.

Daoism (aka Taoism)

Daoism: Background The word dao (also spelled tao) originally meant road or way. The Dao (Way) represents the characteristics or behavior that makes each thing in the universe what it is. The word is also used to mean reality as a whole, which consists of all the individual "ways."

Daoism – Terms to Know Dao = a force connected to nature that cannot be defined, only experienced and felt. Say What?? Goal of Life = Achieve the Dao Lao-Tzu or Lao Zi (606-530 B.C.) = Founder of Daoism. Wrote the holy book “Tao Te Ching”

Daoism Teaches: Humans should see themselves as part of nature Live simply and live in harmony Don’t believe in strong government Achieve happiness by leading a balanced life with nature, not by following societal rules and laws. And of course, the famous Yin and Yang…

Yin Yang

Yin and Yang: Provides an explanation on how the universe is balanced Yin = black, feminine, mysterious, negative Yang = white or red, masculine, warm, positive Both contain a little bit of the other

How a Daoist might discover nature: Sit by a river, feel a breeze, and observe a drifting cloud. Nothing in nature strives for fame, power, or knowledge. The river, the breeze, and the stream move without effort because they follow the Dao. Dao—the way of nature that guides all things.

for life and government Confucianism Main Focus = Practical philosophy for life and government

Confucianism: Background Confucianism is a philosophy based on the ideas of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. From the 100's B.C. to the A.D. 1900's, Confucianism was the most important single force in Chinese life. It influenced Chinese education, government, and personal behavior and the individual's duty to society. Many people consider Confucianism a religion. But Confucianism has no clergy and does not teach about God, or the existence of an afterlife. Confucianism can more accurately be considered a guide to morality and good government.

Confucianism - Terms to know Confucius = Founder (551-479 B.C.) “Golden Rule” = “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others” Main beliefs = respect for elders, education, commitment to government service

Confucius’ 5 Most Important Relationships… 1. Ruler and subject 2. Parent and child 3. Husband and wife 4. Sibling and sibling 5. Friend and friend Relationships have to be: loyal, courteous, honest, faithful, and respectful to authority. How are these relationships important for maintaining a society?

Who Said That?

Quote #1 “The highest purpose is like water. Because water excels in benefiting the myriad (numerous) creatures without contending (having conflict) with them.

Quote #2 Seeing that our body, with hair and skin, is derived from our parents, we should not allow it to be injured in any way. We develop our own character and practice so as to perpetuate our name for future generations and to bring honor to our parents.”

Quote #3 “The more laws and edicts (official rules) are imposed, the more thieves and bandits there will be.”

Quote #4 “Like a spider caught in its own web, so is a person driven by fierce pleasures. Break out of the web, and turn away from the world of fame and sorrow.”

Quote #5 Be respectful at home, serious at work, and supportive in government. Even as you go to unknown areas, these virtues (good qualities) are not to be abandoned.”

Quote #6 “Life is a journey, death is a return to the earth, the universe is like an inn, the passing years are like dust.”

Quote #7 “If a ruler himself is upright (honest) all will go well without orders. But if he himself is not upright, even though he gives orders, they will not be obeyed.”

Quote #8 “Deal with difficult tasks while they are easy. Act on large issues while they are small.”

Quote #9 “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned.”

Quote #10 “No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.”

Quote #11 “He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.”

Ready for the answers?

Quote #1 Lao-Tzu “The highest purpose is like water. Because water excels in benefiting the myriad (numerous) creatures without contending (having conflict) with them.

Quote #2 Seeing that our body, with hair and skin, is derived from our parents, we should not allow it to be injured in any way. We develop our own character and practice so as to perpetuate our name for future generations and to bring honor to our parents.” Confucius

Quote #3 Lao-Tzu “The more laws and edicts (official rules) are imposed, the more thieves and bandits there will be.”

Quote #4 “Like a spider caught in its own web, so is a person driven by fierce pleasures. Break out of the web, and turn away from the world of fame and sorrow.” Buddha

Quote #5 Confucius Be respectful at home, serious at work, and supportive in government. Even as you go to unknown areas, these virtues (good qualities) are not to be abandoned.”

Quote #6 Buddha “Life is a journey, death is a return to the earth, the universe is like an inn, the passing years are like dust.”

Quote #7 Confucius “If a ruler himself is upright (honest) all will go well without orders. But if he himself is not upright, even though he gives orders, they will not be obeyed.”

Quote #8 Confucius “Deal with difficult tasks while they are easy. Act on large issues while they are small.”

Quote #9 “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned.” Buddha

Quote #10 “No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.” Confucius

Quote #11 Buddha “He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.”

3 Faiths of China vs. Christianity Comparison Chart

Four Noble Truths Middle Way Buddhism Confucianism Daoism Christianity More like a philosophy Is it a religion? Yes, and a philosophy Yes Yes Belief in Buddha Belief in many Gods Belief in God? Yes, one God Not taught No, but his writ-ings are called Five Classics Holy book? Yes, the Dharma Yes, Tao Te Ching Yes, Bible Four Noble Truths Middle Way Creating a moral society Simple life close to nature God; Teachings of Jesus Christ Focus? How many today? 350 million Over 5 million About 2 million Over 2 billion Life after death? Yes, reincarnation Yes, reincarnation No Not on Earth