Three Pillars of Chinese Culture Confucianism, Taoism & Buddhism

By Helen Zhang

6 May 2011

Agenda

• Chinese Culture － Definition• Its manifestations• Confucianism• Taoism• Buddhism• Q&A

What is Chinese Culture?

• 文化 （“ Culture” in Chinese ）– “ 文” wen ： diverse, multi-coloured crossed lines* – “ 化” hua ： change

• Chinese culture– People– Language– Architecture– Cuisine– Art 。。。

• Chinese Values & belief systems

*According to the first Chinese dictionary (c.100)

People － 56 Ethnic Groups

Language

Architecture

Cuisine – Food is “the sky”

Art

3 Pillars of Chinese culture 儒释道

Confucianism 儒

• Confucius - c. 500 BC• His contribution: social & moral order• Key elements*:

– Ritual 礼– Compassion 仁– Faithful friendship 义

• Pursue harmony NOT conformity• Self-family-country (修身、齐家、治国 )**

*Y.L. Feng, A Short History of Chinese Philosophy

** The Analects

Message from the Great Learning 大学

格物、致知、诚意、正心、修身、齐家、治国、平天下

The extension of knowledge consists in the investigation of things. When things are investigated, knowledge is extended; when knowledge is extended, the will is sincere; when the will is sincere, the mind is rectified; when the mind is rectified, the personal life is cultivated; when the personal life is cultivated, the family will be regulated; when the family is regulated, the state will be in order; and when the state is in order, there is peace throughout the world.

Reconciling Confucianism and Economic Growth• Far reaching influence in Asia• Leadership by insight and thoughtful sensitivity 领导

(Platts, 1993 ）• Confucian capitalism vs Confucian Dynamism (Tu, 1984,

1989; Yao, 2002; quoted in Chai & Rhee, 2009; Hofstede, 1991)**

• Recent revival in China• The growth of China due to… “Confucian family style,

networked neighbourhoods” *(Hampden-Turner)• Filling the moral void? (Bell, 2010)

*Presented at Cambridge University, 2011

Taoism 道 (Part I)

Taoism 道 (Part II)

• Laozi – c. 600 BC• Approximately 5,000 words only; the world’s most

translated classic next to the Bible• Tao 道– an evolving force operates throughout the

universe• Te 德 - PERSONAL power gained by understanding Tao

and simplicity – in conduct, beliefs and environment• Jing 经– classic ＊

* Wing, R.L., The Tao of Power

Taoism 道（ Part III ）

• Harmony between man and nature• Highest achievement: identification with Tao• 无为 wuwei-non-activity, non-action• 出世 chushi – non-worldly• Away from the crowds, close to nature• In contemporary terms – providing consolation when

necessary

Buddhism 释

• First introduced first century AD• Gained favour during turbulent times • Reached its height between 6th-10th centuries• Enlightenment through self-cultivation & living in the

NOW*• Chinese Buddhism

*Zhang, H.H., & Baker, G. Think Like Chinese

Putting it all together

Confucius for the country/mind

Taoism for the body

Buddhism for the soul

Thank you…..Questions?