1. Beliefs and Religions of China
Confucianism
Taoism
Buddhism
And a little Hinduism!

2. 2.Confucianism
Based on teachings of Confucius, who lived in China from B.C..
He developed a philosophy for life and government based on respect and hard work!

3. He created a code of behavior based on 5 RELATIONSHIPS

4. Confucius said that people would be harmonious if they were obedient, loyal and honest in the following relationships:

5. #1
Slide 6
Parent and Child

6. #2
Slide 7
Friends

7. LEGALISM: ruler needed complete control
# 3
Slide 8
Ruler and Subject- subjects (students) should be obedient to their rulers (teachers!)
LEGALISM: ruler needed complete control

8. #4
Slide 9
Brothers and sisters, or siblings….

9. #5
Slide 10
Marriage

10. 11.Confucianism- During Song Dynasty
Civil service—means service as a government official.
Civil Service Exams:
Students must memorize entire Confucian text
Students might study for more than 20 years!!
Some exams last more than 72 hours and students were locked in private rooms.
To prevent students from cheating, exam halls were often locked and guarded.
If you passed…You became a scholar official, A respected member of the government.

11. 12.Taoism: It’s Naturally Simple!
Based on teachings of Laozi B.C.
He believed that humans are a part of nature and that change is natural and it will happen through out your life… (even disasters can be good)
Tao or Dao = “the way”

12. 13. Taoism: It’s Naturally Simple
He believed that humans should LIVE SIMPLY and in harmony with nature.
Do not seek power or fame.

13. 14. Nature does not seek power, it merely is powerful
14. Nature does not seek power, it merely is powerful. For example, waves do not seek power, however, they are powerful. ♒ Harmony can be achieved by learning from and observing nature...

14. Yin and Yang Are a balance of nature that live in harmony together
Slide 15
Yin and Yang
Are a balance of nature that live in harmony together
for example: Yang represents heat while Yin represents cold

15. 16.Buddhism
Based on teachings of Siddhartha (enlightened one) from India in B.C..
Brought to China about A.D. 200 by Monks and traders who traveled the Silk Road from India
Buddhism was welcomed in Sui Dynasty as a way to escape suffering from earlier disunion

16. Slide 17

18. 19. The Four Noble Truths 1.All life is suffering and pain
2. Pain is caused by desire for wealth, fame, pleasure and power
3. To end pain, one must overcome desire
4. To overcome desire, have virtue and have compassion for living things

19. Become (Karma or Dharma)
20. Reincarnation
Buddhists believe that when you die your soul will be reborn into another body
How you live
Determines what you
Become (Karma or Dharma)

20. 21.Nirvana Nirvana means that you desire nothing..
When you have reached Nirvana you will no longer be reincarnated to this world and you will be relieved of “earthly suffering”.

21. Hinduism
Originated in INDIA but is one of the largest religions in the world.
Sacred Literature: VEDAS
Hinduism centers around the non-violent belief that requires the believer to protect humans, animals, insects and blants called AHIMSA

22. Caste System each of the hereditary classes of Hindu society
Only Brahmins can achieve release from pain and suffering of rebirth (Moksha)