Religions of East Asia

Chinese civilization began along the Yellow River in 4000 BCE

-Earth-God is oldest religious symbol represented by stones or mounds-Burial and Ancestrism-worship of ancestors, very important -very ornate burials for kings Concept of Tian or “Heaven” as the moderator

of the universe. Not directly worshipped. Sun, moon, stars, and ancestors were

worshipped through offerings

Ancient Chinese Religion

Divination of “Oracle bones”

-kings would ask their ancestors questions, answers would be determined by cracks in a tortoiseshell when it was heated over fire Ancient Chinese religion

emphasized unity and harmony of all things in the universe

Cont.

Dao (Tao) Translated as “the way” Knowing, living, and constructing a society

that exemplifies the Dao is the central theme of many Asian religions

Dao can be expressed in nature, human society, and one’s inner being

The Dao-Foundation of Confucianism and Daoism

The Age of Confucius

Zhou Dynasty was coming to an end, the capitol had been attacked, emperor reduced to a powerless figurehead

Great thinkers were thinking of ways to put society back together

So many great thinkers emerged that this period was called “The Hundred Schools”

Confucius was one of these thinkers

Age of Change

Kong Fuzi “Confucius”-551 to 479 B.C. Born to nobility-people of high rank

◦ Ru class-specialized in 6 arts Father died, raised by his mother Well-educated, became a teacher

Confucius the Teacher

1. Husband and wife 2. Father and son 3. Older and younger brother 4. Friend and Friend 5. Ruler and subject

3/5 relationships dealt with family Chinese highly valued the family unit

5 basic relationships

Family was the example for how a ruler should treat his subjects

A good ruler was supposed to be like a good father, people should follow his example

Rulers and their subjects

“If the people be led by laws, and uniformity among them be sought by punishments, they will try to escape punishment and have no sense of shame. If they are led by virtue, and uniformity sought among them through the practice of ritual propriety, they will possess a sense of shame and come to you of their own accord.”

What were Confucius’ thoughts on how people should be governed?

Confucius and Government

Thought government should be based on virtue or goodness, not laws and punishment

Argued that government officials should earn their jobs through education and talent, not through family connections

Do you think that the government should run on virtue, not rules?

Confucius and government

“He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”

What were Confucius’ view on education?

Confucius and Education

Confucius’ writings are complied in The Analects

One must be motivated by virtue (ren)-humanity, love, high principle, etc

Jun-zi-superior man who serves society by applying ren

Human nature is innately good, people will be good so long as god examples lead society

Li-rites, proper conduct, ceremonies, or doing things the right way; establishing order

Fundamentals of Confucianism

100 yrs after Confucius died, his disciple Mencius began spreading the ideas of Confucius

Mencius thought human nature is good, and is impeded by an evil social environment

A follower of Confucius

Dong Zhongshu-focused on the interrelationship of all things

Yin-Yang concept Yang-masculine, day, sky, spring, bright,

clear, hard, assertive: symbol is the dragon Yin-Feminine, night, earth, moisture,

autumn, harvest, darrkness, underneath, moon: symbol is the tiger

Neither is better than the other

Han Synthesis

List 3-5 polarities that co-exist Ex: Day/Night

With a partner…

Feng-shui: elaborate art that determines the yin-yang balance within a location

Han Synthesis Cont.

Underlined the Chinese “work ethic” Promoted diligence, productivity, and

importance of family honor

Confucian Moral/Social Values

Not all scholars supported Confucius Moists-People who followed Mozi, believed

in universal love, and equal love for all people

Legalists-thought people had bad nature, strong government with strict punishments would keep order

Daoists-wanted small simple society, people should be in harmony with their feelings and nature

Opponents of Confucianism

Laozi “The Old Man” legends surrounding his existence

Wrote the Dao de Jing- “the book of the dao and how to apply its strength”

Supported the relationship of mother and child-weakness could be strengths

Simple living, no elitism

Laozi and the Dao De Jing

Confucianism

Moism Legalism Daoism

Human Nature

Good Good Bad Neither good or bad

Government Rule by example like a good father

Rule by mean of learning

Rule by strict laws

Small and simple

Right Conduct

Sincerity, loyalty, kindness and respect (especially for family)

Universal love

Obedience to strict laws

In harmony with nature

Overview

Which view do you most agree with?

Good ruler establishes harmony in society Mandate of Heaven-sign that heaven approves of

one’s rulership Under the Han dynasty, Yin was the ruler Yan was

the people Many changes occurred to China’s politics when then

opened up to Western Trade Boxer Rebellion-1900, Chinese wanted to remove

foreign powers from China 1949-Peoples Republic of China (communist regime)

Mao Zedong led the Great Cultural Revolution-Mao as an idol, cleansed China of all “old” things

Confucius and Politics

More Chinese are claiming that they are religious adherents (31.4 %)

66% traditional Chinese 15% Muslims 12% Christians

China Today

Confucianism-women were subordinate to men, women were restricted to the home domain

Book of Rites: “The woman follows (and obeys) the man; in her youth, she follows her father and elder brother; when married, she follows her husband; when her husband is dead, she follows her son.”

-women were not considered as part of an ancestral line until marriage

Women in Chinese Religion

In marriage, women represent yin (passive) husband is yang (active)

Arrival of sons increased a woman’s status

Women in Chinese Religion

Daoism-lots of female symbolism Wu-wei: “going with the flow” aligned to

female passivity Daoism is believed to linked to the concept

of an ancient mother goddess and that the dao itself is a female

Chinese women in religion

Footbinding-began with nobility and then the trend spread all over China

The goal was to mold the feet into perfect “golden lotuses” three inches long and in the shape of the bud of a flower

Women whose feet were bound were highly desired

The “Golden Lotus”

Modern day binding?

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2201777n

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7396762n

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=692802n

The “way of the gods” the “to” in Shinto is the same as the Chinese “Dao”

Basic Worldview-many gods in the universe (called kami), universe is always growing and changing

4 basic affirmations1. Traditions-rites2. Life in this world-linking the past with the present3. Purity-shines are pure, ritual washes before entering4. Festival-colorful celebrations

Japanese Religion-Shinto

4 Ps Purification, Presentation, Prayer, and

Participation

80-90% of Japanese adhere to Shinto

Shinto Worship

Fredrich Nietzsche

“Out of chaos comes order”

How does this quote relate to the chaos surrounding the fall of the Zhou Dynasty?

Think about it…

Become a philosopher!

Make up your own philosophy including your thoughts on human nature, government, and right conduct, and be sure to give your world view a name.

Ex: Rodriguianism As a Rodriguianist, I believe that human nature is evil. People have bad desires, but can learn to control them. The government should help people control them by offering rewards for people who do good things and by punishing people who do bad things. Rulers should be good examples to the citizens. The most important thing in life is to love everyone and nature, and treat everyone with respect. People must remember to be honest, work-hard, and be well-educated.

HW: