confucian teachings
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Confucian Teachings. Confucian Overview. “Confucius” is a Romanization of a Chinese name- Kong Fu Tzi(u) or Kung Fu Tzi(u) Born @ 551 B.C.E. Called his teachings juchiao (“the way of the scholars”) Coexisted with Taoism and Buddhism for thousands of years in China. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Confucian Teachings
Confucian Overview
“Confucius” is aRomanization of a Chinese name- Kong Fu Tzi(u) or Kung Fu Tzi(u)Born @ 551 B.C.E.Called his teachings juchiao (“the way of the scholars”)Coexisted with Taoism and Buddhism for thousands of years in China
Confucianism- Taoism Timeline
Lao Tzu born between 600 and 300 BCEHan dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE)- early Taoist sects establishedInter-related and competing?
Confucius born @551 BCEHan dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE)- Confucian classics used for civil serviceInter-related and competing?
Confucian Ideas
Five key relationships and their “cross-currents”Parent and childOlder sibling and younger siblingHusband and wifeOlder friend and younger friendRuler and subject
What are the common elements in these five relationships?Are there any others that could be added?How would this focus compare to that of Taoism?
Confucian Key Terms
propriety jen (innate goodness/perfect virtue) li (honoring of ancestors/right conduct in the five relationships) filial piety- having a relationship like that of child to parentIdeal life= the gentleman-scholar/civil servant
“Rectification of Names”
The topic of language clarification appears in book 13 of the AnalectsBasic premise= language must be precise in referring to titles and social rolesIf one claims a social role, then one must have the character and show the behavior appropriate to that role.
The Five Confucian Classics
I-Ching- The Book of Changes Shu-ching- The Book of HistoryShih-ching- The Book of Odes- poems supposedly collected and edited by ConfuciusRitual- Several books on philosophy, rituals, and even table manners; the most important of these is The Book of Rites Ch'un ch'iu- The Spring and Autumn Annals- a history of a single Chinese province from about 700 to 500 B.C. Confucius lived in this province and supposedly assembled these annals himself.
The Four Books
Promoted by Neo-Confucians of the 10th-13th century
Analects of ConfuciusAnalects of MenciusThe Doctrine of the MeanThe Great Learning
Analects=selections or parts of a literary work or group of works
Selections from the Analects
What does Confucius say about supernatural or other-worldly subjects (144:12, 145:3)?How does he describe the “man of humanity” (146:2)?What is the most important quality a successful ruler must never lose (145:5)?
ICW task- Choose ONE of the options below
Option One- How would either Confucian or Taoist thinking impact society positively? Could they work together effectively?
Option Two- Generally speaking, what kinds of virtues are suggested by Confucius? How do they compare with “traditional” virtues embraced by Western culture?
Shinto- An Indigenous Religion?
Definitions
What is an indigenous tradition?descendants of original inhabitants of lands now controlled by political systems in which they have little or no controlHow can we define “original inhabitants”?Are indigenous groups always in flux?
People Versus Traditions
Which one can be said to be indigenous?Religions blend and borrow constantly in order to blend with local traditions
Buddhism – “kami” from Shinto as incarnations of BuddhaChristianity- proximity of Christmas and winter solstice
An Eastern Example- Shinto
“shin” (divine being) + “to” (way)
AnimisticWhat does this word mean?
Focused on harmony with natural surroundingsPractice surrounds the worship/veneration of kami (same character as “shin”)Not identified by name until the arrival of Buddhism in Japan
Kami Practices
Kami= spirit or divine thingKamikaze - divine windKami are everywhere in natural world
Shrines honor kamiGroves of trees, streams, bodies of waterEnclosed natural space where sacred space beginsTorii (tall gate frames) used to delineate spaceCan also be a public hall/offering hall
No images in worship, all is in nature
Shinto Concepts
Kannagara- “celestial harmony”The purpose of Shinto practice is to bring harmony to our lives through natureLiving “according to the natural flow of the universe”
Misogi- ritual purification through water, often a waterfall
Other Shinto Concepts
O- Harai- an exorcism of bad sprits or a ritual blessing
Why is it performed on cars and new buildings?
State Shinto- established in the Meiji era
Last “traditional” era for JapanIf it is state sponsored, how can it be indigenous?
Shinto Shrines
Shinto Shrines
Shinto Shrines
Harmony in Architecture
More Architecture
Modern Interpretations
Shinto Practice in Sports
Shinto Practice in Sumo
Shiko- ritual foot stomping to cleanse the ring of evil spiritsPurifying water- splashed into ring for cleansingSalt throws- also for cleansing the ringClapping- done by two sumotori in unison to call the attention of beneficial kami
Shiko
More Shiko Examples
Sumo Wrestlers in Action
Salt Throwing
Clapping
Shinto Matsuri
Festivals have community/civic as well as religious purposeBuddhist and Shinto interaction commonplaceMusic, dance and artistic expression are all elements in Shinto practiceCheck out the ribald stories the narrators enjoy!