China's Religions and PhilosophiesThis is a featured page


Three philosophies have influenced Chinese society for thousands of years.

Two originated in China, while one was brought here from somewhere else.

In the space below, summarize the main characteristics of the three belief systems of ancient China. Focus on the role the belief system played (and STILL plays) in the lives of the Chinese people.






CLICK HERE: Taoism Videos

Confucianism:
  • Founded when: During the Zhou Dynasty, 551 BC. About 300 years before the Qin Dynasty.
  • Founded by: Confucius (Kung-fu-zi)
  • Founded where:East China
  • Basic teachings:The six arts of Confucius: ritual, music, mathematics, history, archery, and a driver-training course for charioteers. Most important was the teaching of family (filial piety). Prayer is a waste of time and people should focus more on this life than the supernatural.
  • Role played in the lives of Chinese people:Taught people to be caring towards their families and work towards becoming more educated.

What were Confucius' basic teaching about:
  • Education:Education is for anyone. Education determines one's status.
  • Family: Family is always first, then law. Never betray your family, respect them and care for them.
  • Religion:Live for the present and don't worry about the after-life.
  • Government:The leader should lead by example. Good leader = good citizens. A state needs weapons, people but mainly the confidence of their people. (He was against capital punishment.)
  • Humanity: People should be honest and truthful. Treat others the way you want others to treat you. You get what you give, in other words, "the love you take is the love you make."

CLICK HERE: Confucianism Videos

 China's Religions and Philosophies - SAS Asian History Wiki


Taoism:
  • Founded when: Between 700 and 300 B.C.
  • Founded by: Lao zi
  • Founded where: From the Lolang Province in China
  • Basic teachings: teaches moralism, uses <<Dao De Jing>> 道德经 as material. Taoists believed in the "way of nature" meaning that if you try to change the way things are, you will disturb the harmony with the natural laws. Taoism also frowns upon ambition because Taoists believe that the more you have, the more you are bound to lose.
  • Role played in the lives of Chinese people: Kindness is their basic religious teaching, so they make people be more concordant(?) with the nature and social life.
- True Taoists isolate themselves in forests, meditate, and let nature flow around them, not disturbing anything.

China's Religions and Philosophies - SAS Asian History Wiki

Buddhism:
  • Founded when:566 B.C. Introduced to China around 100-400 A.D.
  • Founded by: Siddhartha Gautama
  • Founded where:India
  • Basic teachings: Suffering is universal. Suffering is caused by selfish desire, and the only way to escape from suffering is by eliminating desires.
-By replacing selfishness with selflessness, patience, and pity, the person is rewarded with tranquility (Nirvana).
  • Role played in the lives of Chinese people:to teach people to do no evil, to cultivate good, and to purify ones mind.

CLICK HERE: Buddhism Videos


 China's Religions and Philosophies - SAS Asian History Wiki













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jasonoh confucius 1 Sep 25 2007, 6:00 AM EDT by <3lieke<3
Thread started: Sep 24 2007, 11:32 AM EDT  Watch
i kind of disagree in the way that confucius said dont worry about the after life but stick with the present. I believe that the life we live in now is important but the life that we are going to live in after death is more important. Therefore, i pray to God whenever I regret things that I have done and rely on him when I need his help. Maybe, even Confucius isn't perfect after all
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<3lieke<3 confucius 0 Sep 24 2007, 8:49 AM EDT by <3lieke<3
Thread started: Sep 24 2007, 8:49 AM EDT  Watch
Umm there was one thing that confucius believed which was that people should spend less time praying to god to help them and take on the responsibility to make everything better themselves... I partially agree with this phylosophic saying but i also disagree of it on a different area... I believe that god is not only a being that created the world but i also believe that god is a symbol of hope for a lot of people and i disagree with the fact that you shouldnt be complaining to god about your problems... I agree with the fact that you should take responsibility of how you live your life but if you have no one else to talk to or to pour out your emotions to, i think that god is a very good thing to have privately... We should take action to change but we should also do what we think is right for our mental and emotional health... and for a lot of people that is praying...
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