Confucianism

Basic Precepts

• Confucianism is practiced primarily by followers in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)

• It is not meant as a means for understanding human destiny.

• Confucianism concern itself with learning to be human. It focuses on ethical standards for behavior, with moral values and principles being emphasized.

• It is often practiced by many who claim another faith as their religion.

• The basic Confucian question: How must one behave so that all humanity will move towards a happier, healthier existence?

Life and Times of Confucius

Lifespan (552 B.C.E-479 B.C.E.)• Born to a family of humble, but respected existence, K’ung Fu-tzu (Master K’ung)

spent his early life becoming educated. • As he learned, he spent his time teaching others and traveled his country teaching. • It is from his disciples that his teachings and wisdom have passed through the

centuries and that his name has become synonymous with wisdom and moral living.• His life was not particularly monumental. He struggled to have his message heard by

influential members of society.• His philosophies were tempered by the political and social issues affecting East Asia

during his lifetime, such as war, feudal civil unrest, moral decay and oppression.• Believed harmony and happiness centered around human relationships.

Analects• The Analects are the teachings, stories and sayings of Confucius as collected and

written by his disciples.– Justice in dealing with enemies.– Believed in the tradition of ancestor worship.– Did not focus on the afterlife.– Was excited about learning and teaching and expected the same from his students.

Elements of Confucianism• Tao: “The Way,” which is universal; what should be followed by everyone• Chun-tzu: Human Ideal or Superior Person

– One must give credit to the heavens– Righteousness, humility and sincerity is essential– Acquired through learning (rather than inherited nobility)– Living a virtuous life so as to contribute to society– Respectful, reverent, generous and just

• Jen (ruhn): Humaneness (the most supreme of all virtues)– Goodness, love, benevolence– Reciprocity is the one word to guide us

• Li: Ritual etiquette and proper behavior– Behaving properly in a given situation– Great respect for ancient Chinese traditions – Wherever you are in society, you should behave accordingly and with

decency– Sincerity and reverence are the most important aspects of ceremony

• Wen: Cultural arts and music– Harmony and flow– Proper music for the proper occasion– Poetry and calligraphy – Ensure unity and continuity within society– Appreciation of improves ones moral quality and therefore society

• Te: moral example– effective moral leadership– nurturing a society’s moral conscience– refers to lawmaking and government

Elements of Confucianism

Harmony in Relationships

Confucius believed that there are relationships that all human beings are involved in at all times.

• Self: the core of all human relationships– Determined by one’s social status– Learning and growing in maturity is the process of self-cultivation– Self-reflection and learning are lifelong– As the self is cultivated, society is improved

• Family: one’s role in the family is extremely significant– Each member has responsibilities towards the others– Relations between elders and children should be one of respect– Everyone must live up to his/her moral responsibilities towards

each other– Deep respect for elders

• Ancestor worship is important because the dead can intercede for us.

Harmony in Relationships• Nation: concern for good government

– Leaders should be educated and morally righteous.– Leaders should ensure the happiness of its citizens.– Everyone takes an active role in government when

they live rightly.• Heaven: least spoken concept in Confucian

tradition– Believed humanity must grow in its ability to serve

those on earth before it had any hope of serving the spirit world.

– Believed Heaven was the authority to be followed.– Heaven guides and nurtures humanity as the

ultimate moral force.

Taoism

TaoTao means “The Way” or “The Path”• Practiced primarily in East Asia, often in conjunction with

Confucianism or Buddhism• More of a philosophy than a religious belief system

Lao-Tzu, the “founder” of Taoism• Some believe he is only a mythical character• Believed to have lived around the 6th century B.C.E. and a

contemporary of Confucius• Worked for the government and saw the social and political

problems of his people• Believed to be the author of Tao’s sacred text, Tao Te Ching

(dou day jing)• Philosophical wisdom serves as a foundation for Tao practice• Speaks of heavens and earth differently from the Western

concept• Uses paradoxes (“Those with nothing to say speak often.”)

TaoChuang Tzu (jwahng), the second “founder” of

Taoism• Lived about 250 years after Lao-Tzu.• His wisdom is compiled in the second sacred text, which is

named for him.

Some characteristics of Taoist thought:• It is indefinable. Tao must be experienced.• A power which surrounds and flows through all things.• Sees the need for nature, humans and the universe to be in

harmony and balance.• Tao is the cause of the universe; the universe flows from

Tao; Tao is immanent.• Tao surrounds everyone and all must listen to it to find

enlightenment.• The goal is to become one with Tao.

Virtues and SymbolsYin and Yang• All things have balance• All things have an opposite• Only constant factor in life is change• Yin: the dark side; formed the earth; represents the feminine; calm, passive,

introspective; healing; night; Taoism• Yang: the light side; formed the heavens; represents masculinity; energetic,

agitation, aggression; day; Confucianism• All things have a combination of these two forces. Their opposition keeps

them in balance.– Values are relative to one another. – We know good because we know evil. – Death is also change, though Taoism does not focus on questions of an

afterlife.

Virtues and SymbolsThe Tradition of the Sage• One who has mastered living with Tao and has achieved a state of

spiritual perfection.• Living with Tao means living in harmony, unity and simplicity every

day.

Wu-Wei• Primary virtue; living in harmony with Tao; belief in kindness due to

reciprocity.• Three jewels: compassion, moderation, humility• Involves martial arts for many practitioners; noncompetition (judo

uses the energy of another)• Paradoxes and opposites (action-less activity, giving up to win) • Cooperation with nature and ‘hands-off’ approach (avoids human

interference) • Non-aggression and passivity in daily life: leaving well enough alone.

Shinto

Shinto Basics

• The ancient and native religion of Japan• Shinto has adapted over time.• Incorporates Buddhism, Zen and Taoism as well as other Chinese traditions.• Generates patriotism and respect for the Japanese heritage.• Veneration and love of nature.• Ritual is primary (Shinto is not concerned with doctrine.)• Moral codes adopted from Confucianism .• Warrior traditions: bushido and samurai

• Kami: Shinto is translated as “the way of the Kami”– Ancient divine ancestors– Overall, kami refers to anything that can be wondered about or is mysterious-

nature, people, animals– Creation myth gives the Japanese people a sense of pride and divine connection– Kami has lead to emperor worship and the belief that the emperor is divine

• WWII crushed this belief

Shinto Worship

• Ancestor worship: ancestors are part of kami • Former belief of Emperor as “the living God.”• Kamidana: worship in the home

– Daily purification through washing– Offerings and objects as signs of divine

presence (often food and flowers)

Shinto Worship• Ceremonial worship at Shinto shrines – Original shrines were beautiful natural spots (waterfalls,

mountains, etc.)– Leaving the everyday surroundings to be more focused in

the presence of the sacred – “Torii” (archway) marks the entrance to a shrine– Ritual washing for purification– Prayers and invocations to the kami are offered– Unity with the kami is the desired end.

Shinto Seasonal Festivals

• The Great Purification (celebrated in June and December) – A festival of purification; transfer the impurities of the

people.• The festival of the New Year follows the

December purification; involves ritual cleaning of the home– Everyone is on vacation and spends time worshiping

at shrines and temples.• Shinto also incorporates other religious festivals,

such as Christmas and Halloween.– These are often included in Japanese calendars as

holidays and special occasions.

The Four Affirmations1. Tradition and the family

– The family is seen as the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved. Their main celebrations relate to birth and marriage.

2. Love of nature– Nature is sacred; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the

gods. Natural objects are worshipped as sacred spirits.3. Physical cleanliness

– Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often.

4. "Matsuri“– The worship and honor given to the Kami and ancestral spirits.

Three main Shinto sects:– Shrine Shinto (nationalism and patriotism)– Sect Shinto (primarily lead by women)– Popular/folk Shinto (less formalized)