The Religions and Ethical Traditions of China

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The Religions and Ethical Traditions of China

• By Mr. Milewski

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The Religions and Ethical Traditions of China

• Confucianism
• Daoism
• Legalism
• Buddhism
• Take the Quiz

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Confucius

• Confucius is Chinas best known philosopher.
• He was born in about 551B.C.
• The disorder and suffering caused by constant
  warfare disturbed Confucius.
• He developed ideas about how to restore peace and
  ensure harmony.

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Confucius Traveled

• Confucius visited the courts of various princes,
  hoping to convince them to put his ideas into
  practice.
• Disappointed by the princes refusals, he returned
  home, where he taught a small but loyal group of
  followers.
• After his death, his followers collected his
  teachings in the Analects.

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Confuciuss Five Relationships

• To restore order, Confucius taught that five
  relationships must govern human society. They
  are
• 1.) the relationship between ruler ruled
• 2.) the relationship between father son
• 3.) the relationship between older brother
  younger brother
• 4.) the relationship between husband wife
• 5.) the relationship between friend friend

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• In all but the last relationship (friend
  friend), one person has authority over another.
• In each, said Confucius, the superior person
  should set an example for the inferior one.
• 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.
• According to Confucius, the superior person is
  also responsible for the well-being of the
  inferior person.

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Confucius and the Mandate of Heaven

• Mandate of Heaven- The Chinese believed that
  heaven granted a ruler the mandate, or right, to
  rule. The people, in turn, owed the ruler
  complete loyalty and obedience.
• Confucius supported the Mandate of Heaven. He
  said that the ruler must provide good government
  for his subjects. The rulers subjects, in turn,
  owed the ruler loyalty and obedience.

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Confucius and Family

• To Confucius, relationships involving the family
  are the key to an orderly society. One of those
  relationships-the relationship between father and
  son-is very much like that between the ruler and
  the ruled.
• Like the ruler, the father must set an example
  for his son and look after his family.
• The father takes the credit, or the blame, for
  his childrens actions.
• The son, in turn, is expected to honor and obey
  his father.
• Confucius stressed the idea of filial piety, the
  duty and respect that children owe their parents.
  

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The Influence of Confucius

• Confucius created a guide to proper behavior
  based on ethical, or moral, principles.
• In his teachings, he placed the family and the
  good of society above the interests of the
  individual.
• He also stressed loyalty, courtesy, hard work,
  and service.
• He placed great emphasis on education. He said
• By nature, men are pretty much alike. It is
  learning and practice that set them apart.

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• The importance of education, as well as other
  Confucian ideas, helped shape Chinese government.
• In time, Confucian ideas came to dominate Chinese
  society.
• As China expanded across Asia, Confucianism
  influenced the cultures of Korea, Japan, and
  Vietnam as well.

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Pop Quiz on Confucius

• Confucius believed that a superior person, like
  the ruler or a father, had the responsibility to
  set a good example for the inferior person, like
  the ruled or a son, because the superior person
  was responsible for the well-being of the
  inferior person.
• TRUE FALSE

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Incorrect!!!

• As the superior person I obviously havent set a
  good example for you and have disappointed
  Confucius. Please try again so we can try to
  maintain an orderly society.

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CORRECT!!!

• Confucius said
• 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.
• The reason why you answered this correctly is
  obviously because I set such a good example for
  you.

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Confucius on Education

• Confucius believed that all men were pretty much
  equal despite the amount of education they had
  because of this he believed that education was a
  waste of time and did not set a good example for
  society.
• TRUE FALSE

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Incorrect!!!

• I have failed to set a good example and I have
  disappointed Confucius. Please try again so
  peace and harmony can be restored to society.

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CORRECT!

• Confucius placed great emphasis on education. He
  said that
• By nature, men are pretty much alike. It is
  learning and practice that set them apart.
• Because I was an outstanding role model for you,
  we have a peaceful and orderly society and have
  pleased Confucius.

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Daoism

• Like Confucius, the philosopher Lao Zi studied
  human society. He, too, searched for ways to
  establish an orderly society.
• Lao Zi, the founder of Daoism, however emphasized
  the link between people and nature rather than
  the importance of proper behavior.
• Scholars know little about Lao Zi, but that his
  thoughts are contained in the book The Way of
  Virtue.

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• For centuries, Chinese artists have depicted Lao
  Zi as a kindly sage who embodies the ideal heart
  of Daoism.
• Lao Zi advised
• Reveal thy simple self, embrace thy original
  nature, check thy selfishness, curtail thy
  desires.

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The Natural Way

• Daoists believed that the best way to live was
  the natural way.
• In Chinese the word dao means the way. Daoists
  did not define the way, however. It is said,
  Those who know the Dao do not speak of it those
  who speak of it do not know it.
• To Daoists, Confucian rules for society were
  useless. A society with rules was an artificial
  creation that disturbed the natural order.

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• Daoists believed people should do nothing that
  was contrary to nature.
• The ducks legs are short, but if we try to
  lengthen them, the duck will feel pain. The
  cranes legs are long, but if we try to shorten
  them, that crane will feel grief. Therefore we
  are not to cut off what is by nature long, nor
  to lengthen what is by nature short.

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Lao Zi on Government

• Lao Zi believed that the best government was the
  one that had the fewest rules and laws.
• He valued simplicity. Lao said
• The wise man keeps to the deed that consists
  in taking no action and practices the teaching
  that uses no words.
• Bad Government According to Daoists

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Daoist influence and inventions

• The Daoists study of nature enabled them to make
  advances in science and technology.
• They recorded the movements of planets and
  increased their knowledge of astronomy.
• They may have developed the magnetic compass to
  determine favorable places for graves.

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• Daoist observations of natural forces led to
  discoveries in chemistry and biology.
• Some scholars think that Daoists invented
  gunpowder, which they used to frighten ghosts.

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Daoists and Religion

• Daoism developed links with folk religions.
  Peasants believed that gods and spirits
  controlled the unseen powerful forces in nature.
• To find out what would please the spirits, they
  turned to Daoist priests for help.
• Priests used all kinds of magic to determine
  lucky days for weddings and the best place for
  graves.

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Pop Quiz on Daoism

• Daoists believe that the best government is the
  government with the most rules and laws that will
  ensure order.
• TRUE FALSE

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Correct!!

• Daoists believe that best government is the
  government that has the fewest rules and laws.
  Lao Zi said
• The wise man keeps to the deed that consists
  in taking no action and practices the teaching
  that uses no words.

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Lao Zi verses Confucius

• Daoists reject Confucian rules for society
  because they disturbed the natural way.
• TRUE FALSE

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Correct!

• Daoists reject Confucian rules for society
  because they are an artificial creation. Lao Zi
  said
• The ducks legs are short, but if we try to
  lengthen them, the duck will feel pain. The
  cranes legs are long, but if we try to shorten
  them, that crane will feel grief. Therefore we
  are not to cut off what is by nature long, nor
  to lengthen what is by nature short.

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Incorrect

• You have not followed the natural way. Return to
  where you came from and have Lao assist you in
  finding the way.

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Legalism

• A third school of thought that shaped Chinas
  early history is Legalism.
• The most famous Legalist writer was Han Feizi.
  It is unknown when he was born, but he died in
  233 B.C.
• In his book, of the same name, Han Feizi,
  rejected Confucian ideas about proper behavior.
• Han Feizi believed that people acted out of
  self-interest and would only respond to rewards
  and punishments, not good examples.

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• Because of self-interest, Legalists believed that
  only harsh laws imposed by a strong ruler would
  ensure order.
• Han Feizi noted
• The ruler alone possesses power, wielding it
  like lightening or like thunder.
• In 221 B.C., the Qin emperor Shi Huangdi used
  Legalist ideas to unite China.

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Legacy of Legalism

• Many feudal rulers of China like Shi Huangdi,
  chose Legalism as the most effective way to keep
  order. Shis laws were so cruel that later
  generations despised Legalism.
• Yet, Legalist ideas survived in laws that forced
  people to work on government projects and
  punished those who slacked from their duties.

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Pop Quiz on Legalism

• Legalists believed that people held power over
  the ruler.
• TRUE FALSE

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Incorrect!!

• You have chosen poorly. For your poor judgment,
  you will be forced to wash all the desks in the
  school with a toothbrush from a Barbie Doll.
  Unfortunately, this is still to harsh of a
  punishment according to the U.S. Supreme Courts
  interpretation of the Constitution. Your are
  lucky this isnt the Qin Dynasty, so try again.

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Correct!!

• For pleasing your ruler, you will only have to
  study for 16 hours tonight instead of 18 hours.
  Enjoy your two free hours, but be cautious
  because remember what Han Feizi said
• The ruler alone possesses power, wielding it
  like lightening or like thunder.
• Next time, you could be on the opposite side of
  the ruler.

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Buddhism

• During the first century A.D.,
• Buddhism reached China from India.
• Buddhism was one of the few foreign influences
  that had a deep impact on Chinese life.
• It spread along caravan trade routes that linked
  India to China.
• Later, Buddhism-and the culture of China-was
  taken to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

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The Appeal of Buddhism

• The Chinese found a great deal of comfort in
  Buddhism. The three Chinese schools of
  thought-Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism-dealt
  with life on Earth. Buddhism was a religion that
  offered an escape from the suffering of earthly
  life.
• Buddhism promised salvation for the good, those
  who lived moral lives, and punishment for the
  wicked. It stressed mercy and compassion.

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• Buddhist monks and nuns built hospitals and
  helped the poor.

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First impression of Buddhism

• When Buddhism first reached China, many Chinese
  saw it as a foreign religion. They could not
  understand the vague concept of nirvana.
• Also, they criticized people who abandoned their
  families to become monks and nuns.

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• In time, Buddhism blended with Chinese beliefs
  and values. Nirvana became the western Heaven,
  reflecting Chinese ideas about the afterlife.
• Chinese Buddhists emphasized Confucian ideas of
  proper behavior and respect for family and
  ancestors. They also absorbed Daoist views of
  nature because the Chinese could accept diverse
  ideas. As a result, many Chinese followed
  Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian beliefs at the
  same time.
• Confucianism and Daoism were concerned with
  ethics and living in harmony with nature,
  including the gods and spirits that were believed
  to be everywhere. Although temples and
  ceremonies developed around both schools of
  thought, neither Confucianism nor Daoism were a
  true religion like Buddhism was.

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Pop Quiz on Buddhism

• Buddhism was not a true religion, unlike
  Confucianism and Daoism.
• TRUE FALSE

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Incorrect!!!

• If it is nirvana you seek, click on the Buddha to
  make your enlightenment complete.

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CORRECT!!!

• Buddhism was a true religion, not a philosophy
  like Confucianism and Daoism.

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Question 1

• Which philosopher taught that there is a
  hierarchy in society where the superior person is
  responsible for the inferior person?
• a. Confucius (Confucianism)
• b. Lao Zi (Daoism)
• c. Han Feizi (Legalism)
• d. Siddhartha Gautama (Buddhism)

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CORRECT!

• Confucius taught that there is a hierarchy in
  society where the superior person is responsible
  for the inferior person. He said
• 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.

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Question 2

• Which Chinese philosopher taught that people
  acted out of self-interest and would ONLY respond
  to rewards and punishments imposed by a harsh
  ruler?
• a. Confucius (Confucianism)
• b. Lao Zi (Daoism)
• c. Han Feizi (Legalism)
• d. Siddhartha Gautama (Buddhism)

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CORRECT !!

• Han Feizi believed that people acted ONLY out of
  self-interest. He noted that
• The ruler alone possesses power, wielding it
  like lightening or like thunder.

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Question 3

• Which Chinese philosopher taught that the best
  government was the one that had the fewest rules
  because human rules interfere with the natural
  way?
• a. Confucius (Confucianism)
• b. Lao Zi (Daoism)
• c. Han Feizi (Legalism)
• d. Siddhartha Gautama (Buddhism)

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YOU ARE CORRECT!

• Lao Zi believed that the best government was the
  one that had the fewest rules and laws. He said
  that
• The wise man keeps to the deed that consists in
  taking no action and practices the teaching that
  uses no words.

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Question 4

• Which of the following philosophies and religious
  beliefs were NOT native to China?
• a. Confucius (Confucianism)
• b. Lao Zi (Daoism)
• c. Han Feizi (Legalism)
• d. Siddhartha Gautama (Buddhism)

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Correct!

• Buddhism was NOT native to China. As a matter of
  fact, Siddhartha Gautama the founder of Buddhism,
  was from Nepal.

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INCORRECT

• You have NOT followed the example set by
  Confucius.
• You have not followed the natural way and made
  Lao Zi cry.
• You have angered Han Feizi and you will be
  punished!
• Luckily Siddhartha is on you side and will give
  you another chance at achieving Nirvana.