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Syncretistic religions: religions blended
with one another rather than being
distinct
e.g. China, with blend of Buddhism,
Confucianism, Taoism and
popular religion
Poses difficulties for study
Popular religion
Various festivals incl. Chinese New
Year
Veneration of gods and ancestor
spirits in reciprocal relationship
Kung Fu-tzu (Confucius, c. 551-479 BC)
From Lu (NE China)
Wanted to restore Chinese culture
and religion to earlier state
Unsuccessful career
Students had successful careers
In 50s began journeys, but failed to
advance project
Returned to Lu when nearly 70, died
in 479 BC
The problem: breakdown of earlier values
and morality. Need for return to these
to promote peace and harmony
Jen (ren) = humane goodness
All people capable of being good and
humane, but not doing so because of
immoral rulers and social anarchy
The Classics:
Book of History (Shu Ching)
Book of Poetry (Shih Ching)
Book of Changes (I Ching)
Book of Rites (Li Chi)
Spring and Autumn Annals (Chun Chiu)
Book of Filial Piety (Hsaio Ching) or
lost Classic of Music
Other works:
The Great Learning (Ta Hsüeh)
The Doctrine of Great Harmony/Doctrine
of the Mean (Chung Yung)
Mencius (Meng Tzu)
Analects (Lun Yü)
Li (propriety/respectful ritual)
Setting inner and outer nature in order
Tao (way; harmony of universe)
Yin (passive, earthly force) and yang
(active, heavenly force)
Five elements: water, fire, wood,
metal, earth
Meng Tzu (Mencius, c. 372-289 BC)
Humanism
Way of Heaven as supreme moral
authority
Mohism (Mo Tzu, c. 471-391 BC)
Solution in universal love
Realists/Legalists
Solution in use of force
Qin (Ch’in) Dynasty, 221-202 BC
Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD)
Emperor Wu (r. 140-87 BC)
Confucianism as state ideology
3rd-6th c. AD Buddhism becomes a major
religion in China
11th c. AD Revival of Confucianism by
Neo-Confucians
Literati (ru)
“Noble Person” (chun tzu)
Li (“principle,” underlying source)
Zhu Xi (Chu Hsi, 1130-1200)
Universe as the Great Ultimate, one
principle
Defining principles in everything
Material force (qi)
Humans have li as original nature,
but need qi to actualise it
However, qi gets affected by selfish desires,
clouding human li and producing bad
results
Need for self-cultivation
1966-76 Cultural Revolution in China
Mao Zedong (1893-1976)
Recovery of Confucianism?