the chinese religious tradition world religions fr. llane briese
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The Chinese Religious TraditionWorld ReligionsFr. Llane Briese
Overview of the HistoryBack to ABBA: What is Religion?
◦Religion in the Mediterranean World◦Religion in India◦Religion in China
Three Roots in China:◦Chinese Folk Religions (i.e. Ancestor
Cult)◦Confucianism (ethics)◦Taoism (philosophy of the universe)◦Buddhism (philosophy of nature)
Philosophy and ReligionPhilosophy: “The love of wisdom”
◦Ontology / Metaphysics◦Epistemology◦Ethics◦Anthropology◦Natural Theology
Religion: The Search for ABBA (the sacred)◦Can overlap with philosophy◦Theology: Deals with Divine Revelation
Fr. Adolfo NicolasSuperior General of the Society of Jesus
Courtesy: The Jesuit Curia of Rome (www.sjweb.info)
THE HISTORYSection One
Historical OverviewThe history of the Chinese
religions can be summarized by the four seasons:◦Spring (Prehistory–206 B.C.)◦Summer (206 B.C. – ca. 900 A.D.)◦Autumn (900–1912)◦Winter (20th century–Present)
Eclecticism in ChinaReligion, Philosophy, and Culture
Spring: Prehistory–206 B.C.Shang Dynasty (1766–1123 B.C.)
◦Folk Religion: Archaeological Evidence: Belief of an
afterlife mirroring earthly life. Ancestor Veneration (NOT worship):
Mediation Importance of Patrilineage (tsu):
headship on eldest son Highest Deity: Ti (singular or plural?) Divination/Astrology: Messages from
beyond; reading signs from omens or nature to acquire supernatural knowledge.
Spring: Prehistory–206 B.C.Chou Dynasty (1122-256)
◦Folk Religion: T’ien: “Heaven” Royal ancestors = intermediaries to
bestow good fortune on earth. Mandate of Heaven: A right granted to
kings to represent Heaven on Earth. Political Corruption making China ripe for
religious reform.
Spring: Prehistory–206 B.C.Confucianism: Based on the teachings
of K’ung Fu-tzu who wrote the Analects.◦Confucius: An accidental teacher (551–479
B.C.)◦Legacy:
Central doctrine: jen (being a real gentleman) Work ethic and family loyalty Learning: Building both knowledge and character Egalitarianism
◦ Contrast from the origins of Buddhism and Christianity.
Spring: Prehistory–206 B.C.Meng-tzo (ca. 371–289 B.C.):
Human nature = good. Taught that evil would take over if humans did not cultivate their inherent goodness.
Hsun-tzu (298–230 B.C.): Human nature = evil (would lead to legalism). Morality required in order to temper one’s evilness and become good.
Spring: Prehistory–206 B.C.Taoism:
◦Lao-tzu: Articulated the central principles in Tao-te Ching (The Way and Its Power)
◦Yin and Yang: Cosmological harmony and complementarity.
◦2 Forms (not mutually exclusive): Tao-chia: More philosophical Tao-chiao: More religious
◦What kind of person should I be?◦Goal: To live the balance between yin and
yang.
Summer: 206 B.C.–ca. 900 A.D.Continued expansion of Taoism
and Confucianism: A synthesis between the two religions develops:◦Taoism: Rituals of popular religion.◦Confucianism: Ethics and organization of
political and social lifeHan dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.):
Confucius’ teaching becomes state policy.
By I A.D., Confucius had come to viewed as a nearly divine figure.
Summer: 206 B.C.-ca. 900 A.D.Also, in the 1st century A.D., Buddhism arrived
in China. (Flourished under the Sui and Tang dynasties from 581–907.)
2 main (non-exclusive) types of Mahayana Buddhism:◦ Pure Land Buddhism: Amitabha was a
bodhisattva and created a pure land without evil where people could reach nirvana.
◦ Ch’an Buddhism: Heavy emphasis on meditation; Paradoxical stories such as “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” (Would evolve into Japanese Zen Buddhism.)
III A.D. and later: Synthesis between Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
By VI A.D.: Confucian temples arrived.
Autumn: 900–1912Period of reformation leading also
to an increase in individualism.Neo-Confucianism reinterpreted
the teachings of Confucius in light of Buddhism and Taoism.◦Taoist metaphysics/epistemology◦Buddhist anthropology◦Confucian ethics
Autumn: 900-1912This trend would reverse during
the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) when culture moved towards a more traditional understanding of Confucianism.
Arrival of Europeans (and Christianity)
Fr. Matteo Ricci: Chinese Rites Controversy
Winter: 1912-Present1912: Founding of the Republic of
ChinaWW2: Japanese DominationAfter WW2: Chinese Civil War
(ended 1949).Excursus: The Philosophy of Karl
Marx (1818–1883): ◦Das Kapital (1867–1894)◦The Communist Manifesto (1848)◦Religion as “the opium of the
people.”
CONFUCIAN AND TAOIST SACRED TEXTS AND BELIEFS
Section Two
The Writings of ConfuciusFive Classics: Texts traditionally
attributed to Confucius but which actually predate him.
Four Books: Compiled by Confucius’ followers:◦The Analects: Sayings of Confucius◦The Great Learning: How perfection helps
society◦Doctrine of the Mean: Philosophical
reflections◦Book of Meng-tzu: Sayings of Meng-tzu,
the follower of Confucius.
Confucian TeachingsConfucius believed in T’ien (Heaven)
and other Chinese deities. Was suspicious of excesses of Chinese devotional life.
Confucian Ethical Concepts:◦Chun-tzu: the “superior one”◦Li: The proper way to live; includes
courtesy, etiquette, formality, and respect. (A hierarchical view of human relationships)
◦Jen: “Humanity” or “benevolence” (interior disposition)
The Writings of TaoismTao-te Ching: One of the most famous
texts in world history, traditionally attributed to Lao-tzu.
Holds that Tao is the nature of things, and that all are called to live in harmony with Tao (“the way things are”)
Excerpt:The Tao is infinite, eternal.Why is it eternal?It was never born; thus, it can never die.Why is it infinite?It has no desires for itself; thus, it is present for all beings.
Taoist TeachingsTaoism defies definition; very abstract.Taoism: Describes “the way things are”;
all that exists flows with Tao. Hence, Tao could be viewed as an entirely transcendent, impersonal god.
Wu-wei: “Non-action” or “actions without actions”—allowing nature to evolve without interference; deference to Tao.
Goal: Immortality (via breath control, good hygiene, meditation, etc.)
THE JAPANESE RELIGIOUS TRADITION: SHINTO
Section Three
An Introduction to ShintoLike China, Japan has an diversity of
religious thought: Shinto, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.
Shinto: ◦Animist in focus; Kami are spirits present
since the beginning.◦Part of the national myth; would be
devastated in 1945.◦XVI c.: Christian missionaries came
(including St. Francis Xavier)◦Home shrines dedicated to kami:
Kamidana