Exploring the Religions of Our WorldChapter 7 Chinese Religions

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsThe basicsChinese religions are a blend of practices:TaoismBuddhismChinese folk religionConfucianism

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsPeriods of hindu historyPage 280

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsHistory Shang Dynasty (16th11th BCE) veneration of ancestors veneration of nature gods highest god is called Ti the practice of divination (the attempt to interpret signs from nature such as astrology)Chou Dynasty (11-2nd BCE) elderly ancestors are revered highest god is called Tien the notion of the Mandate of Heaven (conferred on kings)

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsHistory (continued)Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)The teachings of confucius become the state ideology by imperial decreeConfucianism begins to move toward egalitarianism (social equality) Character building is a lifelong process of education and self-discipline

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsHistory (continued)Confucius:Lived from about 551 to 479 BCEA chinese philosopher who considered to be the father of chinese culture by manyHis sayings (analects) became the source of his teachingEmphasized the building of moral characterProper ritual observance and moral persuasion were his formula for success

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsHistory (continued)Lao-tzu:A chinese philosopher and founder of taoismWrote the tao-te ching or The way and its powerTaoists priests encourage methods of self-perfection and help individuals control the forces of yin and yang

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsHistory (continued)Yin and yang:Complementary, harmonious play of pairs of opposites in the universeThey are not interdependent --- one defines the otherthere is no antagonism between the pairs, for both are neededeach contains a little of the othernature is in a continual dance to remain balanced between the yin and the yang

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsHistory (continued)

The Chinese communist revolution of 1949: placed Confucianism in disfavor believed all religion was elitist, out-dated and a threat to personal freedom current government monitors the selection of religious leaders in the various traditions and has suppressed sacred places and spaces

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsSacred stories and sacred scriptures

TheFiveClassicshistorical documentsanthology of poemsmanual for divinationrecords of the state of Luworks on the principles of li

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsSacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued)FourBooksThe Analects (sayings of Confucius)The Great Learning (details of how perfection can benefit society)Doctrine of the Mean (philosophical utterances with commentaries)Book of Meng-tzu (sayings of the great follower of Confucius)

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsSacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued)Tao-teChingthe central scripture within Taoism

attributed to Lao-tsu

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsBeliefs and practicesThings emphasized in Confucianism: belief in the high god Heaven and various Chinese deities striving for perfection through relationships with one another folk rituals and practices

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsBeliefs and practices (continued)

Things emphasized in Taoism: moving in harmony with Tao (the nature of things) a return to simplicity and harmony with all creation immortality which is the goal of the Taoist beliefs in a pantheon of gods Chinese living rooted in family structures andancestor veneration

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsBeliefs and practices (continued)Chinese are Confucian in public,Taoist in private, and Buddhist with regard to death.

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsSacred timeChinese New YearPrayers and homageto Tso KwanChing MingHonors deceasedrelativesMid Autumn FestivalRecalls when Chineserulers carefully studiedthe moonDragon Boat FestivalHonors a famous Chinesepatriot named Wut Yuah Tin HauHonors the mother ofboat people andsailors

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsSacred places and sacred spaces

TemplesTaoist and Buddhistlocal and state templesShrine of Ancestorsto local gods andancestors Ancestor Gravesitesproviding for the needsof the deceased

Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsDivinationAstrologyCultNeo-confucianismYin and yangKoanchun-tzulijenTaowu-weihsienfeng-shuispirit tabletcommunion of saintsintercessioninculturationVocabulary