chinese religions and philosophies yang &yin, daoism, confucianism, legalism yang &yin,...

CHINESE RELIGIONS CHINESE RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIESAND PHILOSOPHIES

Yang &Yin, Daoism, Yang &Yin, Daoism, Confucianism, Legalism Confucianism, Legalism

And BuddhismAnd Buddhism

THE YANG AND THE YINTHE YANG AND THE YIN

Ancient Chinese Ancient Chinese thinking (1000 BCE)thinking (1000 BCE)

Appreciation of the Appreciation of the natural cycle of the natural cycle of the earth and the idea of earth and the idea of harmony and orderharmony and order

Opposites, balanceOpposites, balance Adopted by DaoistsAdopted by Daoists

THE YANG AND THE YINTHE YANG AND THE YIN

THE YANGTHE YANG Active, warm, dryActive, warm, dry Expansive, Expansive,

procreativeprocreative HotHot

THE YINTHE YIN Lower slowerLower slower BreederBreeder ColdCold

DAOISM

THE DAO IS “THE WAY” The way things should go if not disrupted

by the perverse actions of man If all were to follow the Dao - heaven,

earth and humankind would be in perfect harmony

Lao Zi

Philosopher of the Dao

Born 604 BCE Life clouded in myth withdrew from the

distractions of the world by going off in to the mountains on a water buffalo

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DAO DE JINGThe treatise (writings)

of the Dao Compiled and written down by followers Expands on Yin and Yang, Wu Wei, Governing

and the Three Jewels “oneness with nature” “action without assertion” “development without domination” “production without possession

THE WU WEI

“without action” Doing things seemingly without effort Going with the flow of nature Perfecting the practice of Daoism Those who try to change or improve on nature

only produce chaos One should be free of material possessions and

desires

“The Way” of Governing

Govern lightlyGovern with a serving attitudeTreat other countries non-

aggressively (Let the people live in harmony with

nature, in small, self-reliant communities)

The Three Jewels

Compassion - leads to courageModeration - leads to generosityHumility - leads to leadership

CHARACTERISTICS OF DAOISM

Daoism has endured in to the modern world and has taken many forms

Mystical, magical Philosophical Monastic

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CONFUCIANISM

STRESSES LIVING IN THE WORLD APPROPRIATELY, RATHER THAN WITHDRAWING FROM IT.

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CONFUCIUS

Kong-zi (551-479 BC) Poor but respectable

family, who valued a good education

Gentlemanly ways Becomes bureaucrat Then teacher, scholar

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5 CONFUCIAN CLASSICS

Confucius is credited with composing these five books, which later become the standard for Chinese education:

History, Poetry, Rites, Changes (numerology) and Spring & Autumn

Confucius probably relied heavily on existing works

MENCIUS(Meng xi)

Follower of Confucius Lived 100 years later Probably the greatest

writer of the Confucian school

Rewrote many passages of the classics

Promoted Confucian thought

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THE ANALECTS

Collection of Confucian thought and sayings compiled by Mencius and other disciples

A rule book for proper social interaction

Stress “filial piety” or responsibility for the welfare of others, starting with family members

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Warring States Period480-221BCE

Confucianism arose as a reaction to the disruption and chaos at the end of the Zhou dynasty

Confucius saw humans as corrupt, but not beyond redemption

People had grown lazy in their moralsSociety, the family and government must function

better to restore order

5 Great Relationships5 Great Relationships

Father - sonFather - sonElder brother - younger brotherElder brother - younger brotherHusband - wife Husband - wife Ruler - subjectRuler - subjectFriend - friendFriend - friend

5 Great Relationships

Both parties have rights and responsibilities, BUT generally

Older person favored over a younger personA male had more rights than a femaleA person of high rank had more rights than a

person of low rank

5 Cardinal VirtuesTree Metaphor

The root “jen” - seeks the general goodThe trunk - righteousness by justiceThe branches “li” - moral waysThe flower - wisdomThe fruit - faithfulness

Characteristics of Confucian Thought

ScholasticOrderly, hierarchicalConservative

How does this explain China’s failure to keep up with Western innovation after the Renaissance?

LEGALISMLEGALISM

Arose in opposition to Arose in opposition to Confucian thoughtConfucian thought

Shi Huang DiShi Huang Di - the - the first true Emperor of first true Emperor of China and founder of China and founder of the Qin dynasty the Qin dynasty wanted a new orderwanted a new order

Thought Thought Confucianism was Confucianism was naïve and impracticalnaïve and impractical

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CONFUCIANISM VS. CONFUCIANISM VS. LEGALISMLEGALISM

““Confucius says…”Confucius says…”

That if a ruler is good and sets a good That if a ruler is good and sets a good example, then his subjects will be example, then his subjects will be good.good.

Does this always apply?Does this always apply?

Legalist thought that…Legalist thought that…

People will do whatever they can get People will do whatever they can get away withaway with

Need tough laws and harsh Need tough laws and harsh punishmentspunishments

Need to offer material rewards for Need to offer material rewards for those who cooperate with the ruler.those who cooperate with the ruler.

Han Fei ZiHan Fei ZiPhilosopher of LegalismPhilosopher of Legalism

Humans are selfish and materialistic by Humans are selfish and materialistic by naturenature

The ruler must control the state.The ruler must control the state. Everyone seeks to avoid punishment and Everyone seeks to avoid punishment and

earn reward.earn reward. ““THE CARROT ANDTHE CARROT AND THE STICK”THE STICK”

Legalism and the Qin DynastyLegalism and the Qin Dynasty

Emperor Shi Huang Di wanted reform:Emperor Shi Huang Di wanted reform: Land ownership to anyoneLand ownership to anyone New currencyNew currency New script and writing toolsNew script and writing tools

Conservative officialsConservative officials objectobject

Legalist TacticsLegalist Tactics

Book burnings to Book burnings to destroy Confucian destroy Confucian thought (kept a copy)thought (kept a copy)

Network of spies to Network of spies to turn in neighbors turn in neighbors

Rewards for in Rewards for in formantsformants

Arrest and Arrest and intimidation of political intimidation of political opponentsopponents

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Characteristics of Legalism Characteristics of Legalism

RealisticRealistic HarshHarsh StructuredStructured

What governments in modern times have What governments in modern times have used similar methods to the Legalists?used similar methods to the Legalists?

ORIGINS OF BUDDHISM

Buddhism originates in India

More related to Hindu culture than to traditional Chinese thinking

But spreads to China in the First Century

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BUDDHISM

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama Born in 563 BCE in Nepal as a local princeBecomes disenchanted w/ worldly pleasuresExplores Hindu beliefs and tries strict self-denial

of the ascetics, but rejects this pathMeditates under Bo Tree, faces temptations Transformed to the Buddha, “enlightened one”,

45 year ministry

BUDDHISM

Buddhist Beliefs

Accept reincarnation Dharma – duty of the soul Karma – good and bad deeds follow you Rejects worship of Hindu Gods Rejects caste system Progress of soul depends on person’s deeds Embrace the Four Noble Truths Follow The 8 Fold Path

Buddhist Beliefs

Four Noble Truths– 1) Suffering is universal

– 2) The cause of suffering is desire

– 3) To end suffering, one must crush desire

– 4) Follow the Eight Fold Path

Buddhist Beliefs

Eight Fold Path– Right belief

– Right aspiration or purpose

– Right speech

– Right conduct

– Right livelihood

– Right effort

– Right mindfulness

– Right meditation

Tripitaka

Collection of Buddhist Sacred Writings– Sermons of Buddha– Interpretation of Buddhist doctrine– Rules of monastic life

Buddhist Beliefs

Goal is Nirvana Not a place like “heaven” but “The state of wanting nothing”“Perfect peace”“Release from want and pain”“Lost in God”

Buddhism in China

Broke from traditional Chinese thinkingRejected by the ConfuciansFocus is on individual, not society and

family“other worldly” and too self absorbedBuddhist nuns and priests left their

familiesWithdrew from society

ZEN BUDDHISM

Practice of Buddhism that reflects Daoist and Confucian influences

Spread to Vietnam, Korea and Japan

Chinese buddha

The “fat” or “laughing” buddha is associated with Chinese Buddhism

This buddha represents good luck and prosperity in keeping with Chinese culture and tradition

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Appeal of Buddhism in China

Offered escapeHope for a better life

in the next worldReward for the goodPunishment for the

wickedRituals, temples and

statues

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Buddhism is

RitualisticDisciplinedMeditative

How is Buddhism linked to the practice of martial arts?

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Shaolin Temple in ChinaBirthplace of the Martial Arts

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