Philosophy & Religion in China  Taoism Taoism  Confucianism Confucianism

Taoism The Way of Harmony with Nature  A philosophy  A way of life  A religion  Originating in 6 th century BC China Nature knows best

Taoism Origins and Texts  Legendary founder: Lao Tzu (6 th century BC)  Primary text: Tao Te Ching (the “Book of the Way and the Power”)

Taoist Concepts –Passive non-resistance to the natural forces of life –Natural way to get things done with least effort and greatest success –“Go with the flow,” yield to the natural way of things –Applied in all walks of life –Chi is the invisible energy that surrounds us all (like the force for the Jedi)

Taoism as a Way of Living  Seeking Health and Longevity: through diet, meditation, exercise, and a stress-free life  Meditation: – seeking spiritual rather than chemical transformation  Natural/holistic healing: herbal medicine, acupressure, acupuncture, exercise…

Confucianism A political and social philosophy seeking social harmony on all levels: Within the self …the family …the community...the state …the nation …the world …the cosmos Learning from the past to improve the future

Confucianism - Origins (Confucius) BCE  Embraces the values of the past  The “greatest teacher who ever lived”

Goal of Confucianism To develop one’s Jen: Human Heartedness - the innate goodness of humanity Thus becoming a Chun Tzu: the “Great Man” or “Gentle Man”

Confucian Virtues -respect for the five constant relationships: –Parent and child –Husband & wife –Older & younger sibling –Older & younger friend –Ruler & subject  Human-heartedness (JEN) is developed only within the context of human relationships

More Confucian Virtues  the Golden Rule: –“Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you”

Yin and Yang  This comes from a debate amongst people who practiced or studied both doctrines  Yin and Yang-a balance between your role in society and your relationship with nature  This will eventually lead to a new religion…Buddhism