1. East Asian Belief Systems

2. Buddhism-Origin Began in India by Siddhartha Began in India by Siddhartha Guatama approx 500 BC Guatama approx 500 BC and spread to China via the silk road China: Age of Buddism 400 BC-845 AD China: Age of Buddism 400 BC-845 AD People turned to Buddhism during the Period of Disunion to escape suffering and achieve a state of peace People turned to Buddhism during the Period of Disunion to escape suffering and achieve a state of peace Grew and spread during the Sui and Tang Japan and Korea Grew and spread during the Sui and Tang dynasties to Japan and Korea Influenced a great deal of Chinese culture

3. Buddhism-Four Noble Truths 1. Suffering is a part of life 1. Suffering is a part of life 2. Suffering is caused by greed, pleasure, power, and fame 2. Suffering is caused by greed, pleasure, power, and fame 3. Overcome desire=end of suffering 3. Overcome desire=end of suffering 4. Overcome desire by being compassionate, pure, calm, and 4. Overcome desire by being compassionate, pure, calm, and excellent moral conduct excellent moral conduct

4. Buddhism-Goals Goal 1- Attain nirvana: the condition of desiring nothing. Goal 1- Attain nirvana: the condition of desiring nothing. Reincarnation-When a person dies their soul is reborn in another body Reincarnation-When a person dies their soul is reborn in another body When nirvana is obtained the life and death cycle is broken and the soul is no longer reincarnated When nirvana is obtained the life and death cycle is broken and the soul is no longer reincarnated Goal 2-Devote lives to bringing others to enlightenment Goal 2-Devote lives to bringing others to enlightenment

5. Confucianism-Origin Based on the teachings of Based on the teachings of Confucius approx. 500 BC Dominant philosophy in Dominant philosophy inChina Dramatic effect on the Dramatic effect on the Song dynasty

6. Confucianism-Teachings and Beliefs Philosophy for life and government Philosophy for life and government People should conduct their lives according to two principles: People should conduct their lives according to two principles: Ren: Concern for others Ren: Concern for others Li: appropriate behavior Li: appropriate behavior Kindness and goodness are important Kindness and goodness are important Foundation for relationships is Foundation for relationships is sincerity, loyalty, and respect

7. Confucianism-Teachings and Beliefs Obedience and respect for elders and authority Obedience and respect for elders and authority If rules and rulers (or parents) are good and wise: people will be good and wise If rules and rulers (or parents) are good and wise: people will be good and wise Meritocracy: Positions are earned through education Meritocracy: Positions are earned through education Goal: Harmonious, peaceful, stable society Goal: Harmonious, peaceful, stable society

8. Neo-Confucianism Developed during Song dynasty Developed during Song dynasty Also stressed proper behavior but emphasized spiritual matters Also stressed proper behavior but emphasized spiritual matters

9. Daoism Origin: Based on the teachings of Laozi approx. 500 BC Origin: Based on the teachings of Laozi approx. 500 BC Teachings: Teachings: Humans should live in harmony with nature Humans should live in harmony with nature Do not believe in strong government Do not believe in strong government Simple living Simple living

10. Daoism Harmony comes from balancing yin and yang Harmony comes from balancing yin and yang Yin: Female, earth, dark, cold Yin: Female, earth, dark, cold Yang: male sky, light, heat Yang: male sky, light, heat Goal: Oneness with Dao, the universal force connected with nature Goal: Oneness with Dao, the universal force connected with nature

11. Quote A “ Like a spider caught in its own web is a person driven by fierce cravings. Break out of the web, and turn away from the world of sensory pleasure and sorrow ” “ Like a spider caught in its own web is a person driven by fierce cravings. Break out of the web, and turn away from the world of sensory pleasure and sorrow ”

12. Quote B If a ruler himself is upright, all will go well without orders. But if he himself is not upright, even though he gives orders they will not be obeyed ” If a ruler himself is upright, all will go well without orders. But if he himself is not upright, even though he gives orders they will not be obeyed ”

13. Quote C “ Highest good is like water. Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures without contending with them and settles where none would like to be, it comes close to the way. ” “ Highest good is like water. Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures without contending with them and settles where none would like to be, it comes close to the way. ”

14. Quote D “ The mind is flighty and hard to grasp: the mind pursues all its desires. To tame the mind is great goodness, subdue the mind and know tranquility. ” “ The mind is flighty and hard to grasp: the mind pursues all its desires. To tame the mind is great goodness, subdue the mind and know tranquility. ”

15. Quote E “ The more laws and edicts are imposed, the more thieves and bandits there will be. ” “ The more laws and edicts are imposed, the more thieves and bandits there will be. ”

16. Quote F “ Be respectful at home, serious at work, faithful in human relations. Even if you go to uncivilized areas, these virtues are “ Be respectful at home, serious at work, faithful in human relations. Even if you go to uncivilized areas, these virtues are not to be abandoned. ” not to be abandoned. ”

17. Quote G “ 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 the way so as to perpetuate our name for future generations, and to bring honor to our parents. ” “ 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 the way so as to perpetuate our name for future generations, and to bring honor to our parents. ”

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

19. Quote I “ The sage, because he does nothing, never ruins anything: and because he does not lay hold of anything, loses nothing. ” “ The sage, because he does nothing, never ruins anything: and because he does not lay hold of anything, loses nothing. ”

20. Questions for the Class What is ren and li? What is ren and li? What are examples of behavior that illustrate the concepts of ren and li? What are examples of behavior that illustrate the concepts of ren and li? Why might these beliefs appealed to Song officials who eventually made Confucian ideas formal government teachings? Why might these beliefs appealed to Song officials who eventually made Confucian ideas formal government teachings? How would living with by principles benefit society? How would living with by principles benefit society? With your partner, think of a law that would reflect the principles of ren and li With your partner, think of a law that would reflect the principles of ren and li

21. Your assignment You are going to write a letter to President Obama. In this letter, you are going to explain what Confucianism is and how it can help our government. Use issues from our society that need to be fixed and what kinds of laws Obama can develop based on the principles of Confucianism. You are going to write a letter to President Obama. In this letter, you are going to explain what Confucianism is and how it can help our government. Use issues from our society that need to be fixed and what kinds of laws Obama can develop based on the principles of Confucianism. Your letter needs to be three paragraphs long. The first paragraph will explain what problems you see in our society-give at least two examples. The second paragraph will describe what Confucianism is and what it teaches. The third paragraph needs to explain how Obama can apply the principles of ren and li to our society and make it better. Give examples of what Obama can do or what kinds of laws he can come up with using the principles Confucius taught. Your letter needs to be three paragraphs long. The first paragraph will explain what problems you see in our society-give at least two examples. The second paragraph will describe what Confucianism is and what it teaches. The third paragraph needs to explain how Obama can apply the principles of ren and li to our society and make it better. Give examples of what Obama can do or what kinds of laws he can come up with using the principles Confucius taught.