Chinese Religions

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ConfucianismBased on the teaching of Kong Fu Zi, who

was called Confucius by Europeansan ethical and philosophical system

developed from the teachings of ConfuciusFocused on proper conduct, respect for

elders, education, and hard workConfucius taught that life would be

harmonious if everyone was loyal, courteous, honest, and faithful

Children show absolute respect for authorityRulers need to live by strong virtues and set a

good example for society to be harmonious

Confucius

TaoismBased on the teaching of LaoziHumans should see themselves a part

of naturePeople should live a simple life in

harmony with natureHarmony comes from balancing

opposite forces of nature, called yin and yang

Loazi (“Old Master”)1. Rejecting formal

knowledge and learning.

2. Relying on the senses and instincts.

3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe.

4. Ignoring political and social laws

Masculine Active Light Warmth Strong Heaven; Sun

Feminine Passive Darkness Cold Weak Earth; Moon

Buddhism  Religion and philosophy that developed from the

teachings of the Buddha (Sanskrit: “awakened one”), a teacher who lived in northern India between the

mid-6th and the mid-4th centuries BCE (before the Common Era or Christian era).

Spreading from India to Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan,

Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of Asia.

BuddhaThis is NOT Buddha! This is Budai

Four Noble Truths (Buddha’s 1st lesson after enlightenment)

1. All life is suffering and pain2. Suffering and pain are caused by

desire for wealth, pleasure, fame, or power

3. To end suffering, one must overcome desire

4. To overcome desire, one must follow the Middle Way

The Middle WayThe Middle Way teaches compassion for all

living things, which leads to calmness and purity of mind

Reincarnation – when a person dies, the soul is reborn in a new body

Nirvana – First goal in life is to attain nirvana, the state of having no desires. When one attains nirvana, he or she breaks the cycle of birth and death and no longer is reincarnated into a life of suffering

Who is this?This is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the head monks of the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, and is also well known for his lifelong advocacy for Tibetans inside and outside Tibet

Legalism280- 233 B.C.E. Founder: Han Fe Zi. Legalism became

the political philosophy of the Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty

Han Fei Zi

Han Fei Synthesized the ideas of Shang Yang, Shen Buhai, and Shen Dao, while borrowing Shang Yang's emphasis on laws

Major Legalist Principles1. Human nature is naturally selfish.2. Intellectualism and literacy is discouraged.3. Law is the supreme authority and replaces

morality.4. The ruler must rule with a strong punishing

hand.5. War is the means of strengthening a ruler’s

power.

Critical Thinking QuestionsWho do you think said the following

statements, the Buddha, Confucius, Han Fei Zi, or Laozi? Explain your answer with a fact from the notes.

Interpret and explain what each statement means

1. "Like a spider caught in its own web is a person driven by fierce desires. Break out of the web, and turn away from the world of sensory pleasures and sorrow.”

2. "If a ruler himself in honest, all will go well without orders. But if he himself is not honest, even though he gives orders they will not be obeyed."

3. "Deal with difficult tasks while they are easy. Act on large issues while they are small.”

4. "No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see. ”

5. "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."

6. "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”

7. "He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.”

8. “To govern the state by law is to praise the right and blame the wrong.”

9. “When a wise ruler governs a state, he cannot suppose that people will do the good things to him, but he uses people so that they couldn’t do the bad things”

10. “We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world.”

Answers1. Buddha2. Confucius 3. Laozi4. Laozi5. Buddha6. Confucius7. Buddha8. Han Fei Zi

9. Han Fei Zi10.Buddha