Chinese Literature 1000 B'C' A'D' 1890

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Chinese Literature1000 B.C.- A.D. 1890

• Know contentment
• And you will suffer no disgrace
• Know when to stop
• And you will meet with no danger.
• You can then endure.- the Tao Te Ching

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Chinese Literature

• China is the worlds oldest surviving
  civilization, lasting well over 3500 years.
• Chinese history is generally divided into
  dynasties, family or group of people who reigned.
• Shang 1766 B.C.- 1122 B.C.
• Chou 1122 B.C.- 221B.C.
• Chin 221 B.C.-206 A.D.
• Within each dynasty were many small states
  however, they were united into one large empire.

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Literary Context

• Poetry is a part of everyday life throughout the
  history of China.
• Poets have been among the most highly regarded
  members of Chinese society.
• 2nd 12th centuries A.D. the main Chinese poetic
  form was the shih (she)
• Even number of lines, each of which has the same
  number of words.
• Often expressed personal emotions.
• Many have brooding or troubled tone, but can
  express elation or contentment.

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Chinese Philosophy

• Contrast between Chinese and Western modes of
  philosophic thinking
• Western philosophers seek out the being of
  things, the essential reality lying behind
  appearances
• Chinese principal the establishment and
  cultivation of harmonious relationships within
  their social structures
• Chinese thinking is far more concrete,
  this-worldly and, above all, practical.

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Cultural Context

• Chinese attitudes beliefs were shaped by 3
  religious and philosophical schools

• Taoism
• Confucianism
• Buddhism

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Taoism

• Tao- path or the way
• Stresses freedom, simplicity the mystical
  contemplation of nature (Tao).
• Force that controlled the universe.
• Beyond the scope of human concerns, but can see
  its workings by observing nature.
• Avoid human desires
• Not educating
• Not honoring men of worth or encourage cleaver to
  act
• Cause jealousy and greed
• Opposite of Confucianism

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Confucianism

• How people act- moral behavior
• Social relations based on subordination family
  ruled by authoritarian father, state ruled by
  authoritarian king.
• Respect obey those with superior status.
• However, governed by the concept ren- with a
  loving attitude towards others.

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Confucianism

• Tried to teach students to become true gentlemen-
  morally spiritually
• Must conduct oneself in a virtuous manner those
  in power serve as models.
• Heaven is the supreme moral authority, which
  dictates how one must live.

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Buddhism

• To lead a moral life
• To be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions
• To develop wisdom and understanding
• Life is sorrow and sorrow is caused by desires
• Rid self of desires
• Does not claim to be God

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• Attain enlightenment through meditation
• Solutions to our problems are within ourselves
• Beliefs are incorporated into poetry through
  symbols, imagery and language of Chinese
  Literature.
• Quietude and calmness is a central notion in
  Buddhist thought.

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5 Precepts

• Not to take the life of anything living
• Not to take anything not freely given
• To abstain from sexual misconduct and sexual
  overindulgences
• Refrain from untrue speech
• Avoid intoxication (losing mindfulness)

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Karma

• The law that everything has a cause and effect
• Our actions have results
• Why handicapped, why gifted
• People responsible for their past and present
  actions