EASTERN PHILOSOPHIES

BACKGROUND

Located in China Not religions, but ways

of life The solutions to

political breakdown and social disorder

Combination of Confucianism, Legalism, Daoism and Buddhism

Focused on life in this world and not the after-life

BUDDHISM

BACKGROUND Founded by Siddhartha

Gautama Four Noble Truths Eight Fold Path Nirvana (rebirth) Two Branches:

Mahayana, Theravada, Ceremonies performed

by Monks Can be a part of another

Eastern Religion due to the emphasis on personal salvation.

CONFUCIANISM

BASIS Founded on the beliefs of

Kung Fu Tzu (Confucius) Teachings were collected in

The Analects Deals with individual and

moral ethics and the proper use of political power.

Six ethical teachings: Li: etiquette Hsiao: Love within the family Yi: righteousness Xin: honesty/trustworthiness Jen: humaneness towards

others Chung: loyalty

FILIAL PIETY

5 Relationships Sovereign to Subject Parent to Child Husband to Wife Old to Young Friend to Friend

Each person had their own duties to each other and extended to the dead

Eventually led its way into the legal system

“CEREMONIES” Four life passages are

recognized: Birth: a special ceremony for the

placenta. The mother is allowed rest for a month and follows a special diet. The family gives gifts on the first, fourth and twelfth month of the anniversary of the birth.

Reaching Maturity: has tapered off now days. A group meal where the young adult is served chicken

Marriage: six phases; proposal, Engagement, Dowry, Procession, Marriage and Reception, and Morning After.

Death: Relatives cry out loud to inform neighbors. Coffin and burial service. Latter is carried back to the family’s alter so the spirit will not be forgotten.

TEXTS Si Shu

Lun Wu: Analects of Confucius

Chung Yung: Doctrine of the Mean

Ta Hsueh: Great Learning Meng Tzu: the writings of

Meng Tzu, a philosopher Wu Jing

Shu Ching: Classic of History Shih Ching: Classic of Odes;

300 poems and songs I Ching: Classic of Changes Ch’un Ch’iu: Spring and

Autumn annals; history of Lu Li Ching: Classic of Rites.

LEGALISM

BACKGROUND

Based on the ideas of Hsün Tzu and his pupil, Han Fei Tzu

Opposite to Confucianism

Believed that humans were evil, but could be made good by strict laws and education

Had harsh punishments Primary way of

government in the Qin Dynasty

BACKGROUND CONT.

Set the standard in China that Laws are above the people, including the emperor

No need for individual leadership.

Laws were based on diminishing human selfishness

PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNING Fa: “Law or Principle” Law code

is clearly written and displayed to the public. Everyone is under the law. Those who obey the law are rewarded and those who disregard them are punished.

Shu: “Method, tactic or art” special tactics are used by the ruler so that nobody takes control of the state. Nobody fathoms the ruler’s motivation; nobody knows what will help them get ahead or harm them except for following the rules.

Shi: “Legitimacy, power, charisma” The position of a ruler holds the power, not the person ruling.

DAOISM

HISTORY

Began in the Han Dynasty

Written records of Laozi Two Texts: Daodejing

and Zhuangzi Term Daoism

encompasses Daojia (“School of the Dao”) and Daojiao (“Teaching of the Dao”)

DAO Dao means way or path Power (de or te) can be

drawn from being absorbed in Dao

Cannot be reached through reason and knowledge Not everything is knowable

Can only be found by avoiding daily activities and renouncing wordy ambitions

Flow of the Universe Nature and Simplicity Deeply influenced arts

Painting and poetry

WU WEI “without action” goal: to align oneself with

Dao to reveal the soft but powerful power within all things and enter the state of Pu.

Often associated with water

Pu = “uncarved block” “simplicity” A state of pure potential

and perception with out prejudice

Only existence and awareness

No right or wrong

TEXTS

Consists of 81 “chapters”. A little more than

5000 characters Dao Jing (chs.1-37)

Explains about the Dao

De Jing (chs. 38-81) Explains about de or

virtue

Originally Consisted of 52 “chapters” Reduced to 33 by Guo

Xiang Contains treatises, stories,

poetry and aphorisms Material from Zhuang

Zhou Consists of “inner

chapters” “outer chapters” and “mixed chapters”

Daodejing Zhuangzi

YIN YANG Two opposing yet

complimentary forces Yin: shady, female, soft, slow,

wet, cold, conserving, tranquil, gentle, night.

Yang: sunny, male, hard, fast, substantial, dry, hot, excited, aggressive, day.

Not the concept of “good and evil”

Four “Laws”: Opposing Mutually rooted Mutually transform Mutually wax and wane

http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/YinYang.htm

WORKS CITED

Hooker, Richard. Chinese Philosophy: Legalism. 28 Sept. 2008. <http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CHPHIL/LEGALISM.HTM>.

ReligiousTolerance.org. Confucianism: founded by Kung Fu Tzu. 28 Sept. 2008. <http://www.religioustolerance.org/confuciu.htm>.

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Daoist Philosophy. 28 Sept. 2008. <http://www.iep.utm.edu/d/daoism.htm>.

Taoism. Confucianism. Legalism. 29 Sept. 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org>.