Download East Asian Religions

East Asian Religions
by
Mrs. Gero’s World Studies Class
Chinese Traditional Religion
Although the Communist government of
China would tell that the people of China
are atheist, most people adhere to what is
considered Chinese Traditional.
Chinese Traditional is a combination of the
philosophy of Confucius, the beliefs of
Daoism and Buddhism, along with local
practices.
Confucianism
Confucianism is considered one of the
world’s religions, but it is really more of a
philosophy.
Confucianism deals primarily with
relationships among human beings, and
the ethical practices that one should
follow.
Confucianism is attributed to the Chinese
philosopher, Kong Fu’tzi, who lived from
551-472 BC.
Who was Confucius?
Confucius was a teacher who lived during
the Zhou Dynasty.
His success as a teacher resulted in him
being appointed the Minister of Justice in
his province, Lu.
During this time in China, the rulers were
having a hard time keeping order, and
warlords controlled much of the
countryside.
When a
disagreement caused
him to leave Lu, he
spent several years
wandering, offering
rulers advice.
Eventually, he
returned to Lu,
spending the rest of
this days as a
teacher.
The Influence Spread
Confucius’ teaching was widely revered during
his lifetime, but it wasn’t widely adopted until
after his death.
Confucianism was adopted as the state religion
of China, by Han Emperor Wudi in 121 BC.
He hired Confucian scholars to make up his
government staff.
His influence has lasted on government for
almost 2000 years.
Confucian Beliefs
Confucius believed that the key to peace
and social order was for everyone to
behave with good character and virtue.
He felt that if people were taught to
behave a certain way, then punitive rule of
law would be unnecessary.
People would behave properly as not to
bring shame upon the family, and to not
“lose face”.
Humanism
This is best expressed in what is
considered the “Ethic of Reciprocity”
It states “What you do not like when done
unto yourself, do not do unto others”.
He felt that this relationship took on a
political realm as well as a personal one,
because a ruler cannot expect loyalty from
his subjects if he treats them inhumanely.
Mandate of Heaven
The Mandate of Heaven
is that a good and
humane ruler has “the
right to rule”, while an
inhumane ruler will lose
that right.
However, if a ruler is
proven to be benevolent
and kind, it is the
responsibility of the
people to follow his rules
and laws strictly, for it is
their duty.
The Five Basic Relationships
Confucius believed that there were five
basic relationships to maintain.





Ruler and subject
Father and son
Husband and Wife
Older brother and younger brother
Friend and friend
If each of these relationships were based
on kindness, there would be peace in the
country.
The Gentleman
According to Confucius, a man must strive
to be “perfect” or known as a gentleman.
A gentleman was expected to set the tone
of society by



Cultivate themselves morally
Practice filial piety, which is loyalty of father to
son
Cultivate humanity or benevolence
The Small Man
Confucius referred to the opposite of
the gentleman as “the small man”
One who is small is “petty in mind
and heart, narrowly self-interested,
greedy, superficial, or materialistic”.
Meritocracy
Confucius believed in the
concept of meritocracy,
which is defined as
“A system in which
advancement is based
on individual ability or
achievement”
One of Confucius’
teachings was to “seek
knowledge, study, and
become a better person”.
Under Confucius’
guidance, China began to
administer an imperial
examination.
Removal of Nepotism
By offering an imperial examination, it
meant that anyone who wanted to work for
the government could do so, as long as
they could pass the test.
This examination was extremely difficult.
This meant that those in government were
there because they truly were the best and
the brightest.
They did not get the job based on family
relationships, or “who they knew”.
Religion or Philosophy?
Confucius was not a religious man or a
prophet.
His teachings merely indicate what is
considered to be moral and ethical
behavior.
This is why many who practice
Confucianism also practice aspects of
Taoism and Buddhism.
Lao Tzu and Taoism
The religion of Taoism also
began in China, around the
same time as
Confucianism.
Lao Tzu, a Chinese
philosopher, lived from 604531BC.
During his lifetime, he was
searching for ways to end
the feudal warfare that was
disrupting society in China.
His life’s work was
cultivated into book known
as the Tao-te-Ching.
The Tao
The Tao literally translates into the concept of
“the path” or “the way”.
It "refers to a power which envelops, surrounds
and flows through all things, living and nonliving. The Tao regulates natural processes and
nourishes balance in the Universe. It embodies
the harmony of opposites (i.e. there would be no
love without hate, no light without dark, no male
without female.)"

"Our Beliefs," Reform Taoist Congregation at:
http://www.reformtaoism.org/
What does that mean?
Taoists believe that life
must be balanced. The
energy that exists all
around us must stay in
harmony.
Taoists believe that the
Tao is a force that flows
through life, and one
must listen to it to find
enlightenment.
One of the most
prominent Taoist symbols
is the Yin/Yang, which
shows the balance that
must be maintained in
nature.
Other Taoist Beliefs
There is no god to worship. One must
meditate inward and observe outward to
find the answers to life’s problems.
One must cultivate the “Ch’i” or the
breath that has been given to them.
The five major organs correspond to the
five parts of the sky- water, fire, wood,
metal, and earth.
The Three Jewels
A person’s main responsibility is to
develop virtue.
The Three Jewels that man is expected to
cultivate are



Compassion
Moderation
Humility
Wu Wei
Taoists believe in the concept of “letting
nature take its course”
It is the idea of letting go, and
understanding that “what will be, will be”
Taoists, however, believe in planning in
advance so that one can carefully weigh
the cost of one’s actions.
As the Dynasty’s fell
In 1911, with the fall of the Chi’ing Dynasty,
state support for Taoism fell, especially with the
rise of the Communist party.
Much of the Taoist heritage was destroyed
during a period known as the Cultural
Revolution.
There are about 20 million followers of Taoism
today, and it is centered mainly in Taiwan.
However, it is still part of traditional practice
throughout China.
Shintoism
Shintoism is Japan’s
earliest religion.
Shintoism means the
“way of the gods”.
The religion is
centered on
worshiping the kami,
which are spirits that
exist within the same
world as the living.
The Kami
The kami are believed
to live in beautiful
places like the
mountains and the
rivers.
The kami are also
believed to be living in
animals and in the
ancestors as well.
Shinto Belief
Most that practice
Shintoism pray or
perform rituals to
keep the kami happy.
They do not believe in
any life after death.
One other custom
that is stressed in
Shintoism is
cleanliness.
Those that worship
Shintoism have family
altars that they use to
protect the home.
They also create small,
beautiful gardens where
people can stop and
meditate , reflecting on
the world around them.