Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Chapter 7 Chinese Religions.

Exploring the Religions Exploring the Religions of Our Worldof Our World

Exploring the Religions Exploring the Religions of Our Worldof Our World

Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsChinese ReligionsChapter 7 Chapter 7 Chinese ReligionsChinese Religions


The basicsThe basics Chinese religions are Chinese religions are

a blend of practices:a blend of practices:

The basicsThe basics Chinese religions are Chinese religions are

a blend of practices:a blend of practices:

TaoismTaoismTaoismTaoism

BuddhismBuddhismBuddhismBuddhism

Chinese folk religionChinese folk religionChinese folk religionChinese folk religion

ConfucianismConfucianismConfucianismConfucianism


Periods of hindu historyPeriods of hindu historyPeriods of hindu historyPeriods of hindu history

Page 280Page 280Page 280Page 280


HistoryHistory HistoryHistory

Shang Dynasty (16th–11th 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)

Shang Dynasty (16th–11th 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 T’ien the notion of the Mandate of Heaven (conferred on kings)

Chou Dynasty (11-2nd BCE) elderly ancestors are revered highest god is called T’ien the notion of the Mandate of Heaven (conferred on kings)


HistoryHistory (continued) (continued)

Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)

• The teachings of confucius become the state The teachings of confucius become the state ideology by imperial decreeideology by imperial decree

• Confucianism begins to move toward Confucianism begins to move toward egalitarianism egalitarianism (social equality)(social equality)

• Character building is a lifelong process of Character building is a lifelong process of education and self-disciplineeducation and self-discipline


Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)

• The teachings of confucius become the state The teachings of confucius become the state ideology by imperial decreeideology by imperial decree

• Confucianism begins to move toward Confucianism begins to move toward egalitarianism egalitarianism (social equality)(social equality)

• Character building is a lifelong process of Character building is a lifelong process of education and self-disciplineeducation and self-discipline



Confucius:Confucius:

• Lived from about 551 to 479 BCELived from about 551 to 479 BCE

• A chinese philosopher who considered to be the A chinese philosopher who considered to be the “father of chinese culture” by many“father of chinese culture” by many

• His sayings (analects) became the source of his His sayings (analects) became the source of his teachingteaching

• Emphasized the building of moral characterEmphasized the building of moral character• Proper ritual observance and moral persuasion Proper ritual observance and moral persuasion

were his formula for successwere his formula for success


Confucius:Confucius:

• Lived from about 551 to 479 BCELived from about 551 to 479 BCE

• A chinese philosopher who considered to be the A chinese philosopher who considered to be the “father of chinese culture” by many“father of chinese culture” by many

• His sayings (analects) became the source of his His sayings (analects) became the source of his teachingteaching

• Emphasized the building of moral characterEmphasized the building of moral character• Proper ritual observance and moral persuasion Proper ritual observance and moral persuasion

were his formula for successwere his formula for success



Lao-tzu:Lao-tzu:• A chinese philosopher and founder of A chinese philosopher and founder of taoismtaoism• Wrote the Wrote the tao-te chingtao-te ching or “The way and its or “The way and its

power”power”• Taoists priests encourage methods of self-Taoists priests encourage methods of self-

perfection and help individuals control the perfection and help individuals control the forces of yin and yangforces of yin and yang


Lao-tzu:Lao-tzu:• A chinese philosopher and founder of A chinese philosopher and founder of taoismtaoism• Wrote the Wrote the tao-te chingtao-te ching or “The way and its or “The way and its

power”power”• Taoists priests encourage methods of self-Taoists priests encourage methods of self-

perfection and help individuals control the perfection and help individuals control the forces of yin and yangforces of yin and yang



Yin and yang:Yin and yang: Complementary, harmonious play of pairs Complementary, harmonious play of pairs

of opposites in the universeof opposites in the universe They are not interdependent --- one defines They are not interdependent --- one defines

the otherthe other


Yin and yang:Yin and yang: Complementary, harmonious play of pairs Complementary, harmonious play of pairs

of opposites in the universeof opposites in the universe They are not interdependent --- one defines They are not interdependent --- one defines

the otherthe other

there is no antagonism between the pairs, for both there is no antagonism between the pairs, for both are neededare needed

each contains a little of the othereach contains a little of the other nature is in a continual dance to remain balanced nature is in a continual dance to remain balanced

between the yin and the yangbetween the yin and the yang

there is no antagonism between the pairs, for both there is no antagonism between the pairs, for both are neededare needed

each contains a little of the othereach contains a little of the other nature is in a continual dance to remain balanced nature is in a continual dance to remain balanced

between the yin and the yangbetween the yin and the yang


HistoryHistory (continued) (continued)HistoryHistory (continued) (continued)

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

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


Sacred stories and sacred scripturesSacred stories and sacred scripturesSacred stories and sacred scripturesSacred stories and sacred scriptures

TheTheFiveFive

ClassicsClassics

TheTheFiveFive

ClassicsClassics

historical documentshistorical documents

anthology of poemsanthology of poems

manual for manual for divinationdivination

records of the state records of the state of of LuLu

works on the works on the principles of principles of lili

historical documentshistorical documents

anthology of poemsanthology of poems

manual for manual for divinationdivination

records of the state records of the state of of LuLu

works on the works on the principles of principles of lili


Sacred stories and sacred scripturesSacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued) (continued)Sacred stories and sacred scripturesSacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued) (continued)

FourFourBooksBooksFourFour

BooksBooks

The The AnalectsAnalects (sayings of (sayings of Confucius)Confucius)The Great LearningThe Great Learning (details (details of how perfection can benefit of how perfection can benefit society)society)Doctrine of the MeanDoctrine of the Mean (philosophical utterances with (philosophical utterances with commentaries)commentaries)Book of Meng-tzuBook of Meng-tzu (sayings of (sayings of the great follower of the great follower of Confucius)Confucius)

The The AnalectsAnalects (sayings of (sayings of Confucius)Confucius)The Great LearningThe Great Learning (details (details of how perfection can benefit of how perfection can benefit society)society)Doctrine of the MeanDoctrine of the Mean (philosophical utterances with (philosophical utterances with commentaries)commentaries)Book of Meng-tzuBook of Meng-tzu (sayings of (sayings of the great follower of the great follower of Confucius)Confucius)


Sacred stories and sacred scripturesSacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued) (continued)Sacred stories and sacred scripturesSacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued) (continued)

Tao-teTao-teChingChingTao-teTao-teChingChing

the central scripture within the central scripture within TaoismTaoism

attributed to Lao-tsu attributed to Lao-tsu

the central scripture within the central scripture within TaoismTaoism

attributed to Lao-tsu attributed to Lao-tsu


Beliefs and practicesBeliefs and practicesBeliefs and practicesBeliefs and practices

Things emphasized in Confucianism:Things emphasized in Confucianism: belief in the high god belief in the high god HeavenHeaven and various and various Chinese deitiesChinese deities striving for perfection through relationshipsstriving for perfection through relationships with one anotherwith one another folk rituals and practicesfolk rituals and practices


Beliefs and practicesBeliefs and practices (continued)(continued)Beliefs and practicesBeliefs and practices (continued)(continued)

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

ancestor venerationancestor veneration

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

ancestor venerationancestor veneration


Beliefs and practicesBeliefs and practices (continued)(continued)Beliefs and practicesBeliefs and practices (continued)(continued)

Chinese are Confucian in public,Chinese are Confucian in public,

Taoist in private, Taoist in private,

and Buddhist with regard to deathand Buddhist with regard to death..

Chinese are Confucian in public,Chinese are Confucian in public,

Taoist in private, Taoist in private,

and Buddhist with regard to deathand Buddhist with regard to death..


Sacred timeSacred timeSacred timeSacred time

Chinese New YearChinese New YearPrayers and homagePrayers and homage

to Tso Kwanto Tso Kwan

Chinese New YearChinese New YearPrayers and homagePrayers and homage

to Tso Kwanto Tso Kwan

Ching MingChing MingHonors deceasedHonors deceased

relativesrelatives

Ching MingChing MingHonors deceasedHonors deceased

relativesrelatives

Mid Autumn FestivalMid Autumn FestivalRecalls when ChineseRecalls when Chinese

rulers carefully studiedrulers carefully studiedthe moonthe moon

Mid Autumn FestivalMid Autumn FestivalRecalls when ChineseRecalls when Chinese

rulers carefully studiedrulers carefully studiedthe moonthe moon

Dragon Boat FestivalDragon Boat FestivalHonors a famous ChineseHonors a famous Chinesepatriot named Wut Yuah patriot named Wut Yuah

Dragon Boat FestivalDragon Boat FestivalHonors a famous ChineseHonors a famous Chinesepatriot named Wut Yuah patriot named Wut Yuah

Tin HauTin HauHonors the mother ofHonors the mother of

boat people andboat people andsailorssailors

Tin HauTin HauHonors the mother ofHonors the mother of

boat people andboat people andsailorssailors


Sacred places and sacred spacesSacred places and sacred spacesSacred places and sacred spacesSacred places and sacred spaces

TemplesTemplesTaoist and BuddhistTaoist and Buddhist

local and state templeslocal and state temples

TemplesTemplesTaoist and BuddhistTaoist and Buddhist

local and state templeslocal and state temples

Shrine of AncestorsShrine of Ancestorsto local gods andto local gods and

ancestorsancestors

Shrine of AncestorsShrine of Ancestorsto local gods andto local gods and

ancestorsancestors

Ancestor GravesitesAncestor Gravesitesproviding for the needsproviding for the needs

of the deceasedof the deceased

Ancestor GravesitesAncestor Gravesitesproviding for the needsproviding for the needs

of the deceasedof the deceased


DivinationDivination AstrologyAstrology CultCult Neo-Neo-

confucianismconfucianism Yin and yangYin and yang KoanKoan

DivinationDivination AstrologyAstrology CultCult Neo-Neo-

confucianismconfucianism Yin and yangYin and yang KoanKoan

chun-tzuchun-tzu lili jenjen TaoTao wu-weiwu-wei hsienhsien

chun-tzuchun-tzu lili jenjen TaoTao wu-weiwu-wei hsienhsien

feng-shuifeng-shui spirit tabletspirit tablet communion of communion of

saintssaints intercessionintercession inculturationinculturation

feng-shuifeng-shui spirit tabletspirit tablet communion of communion of

saintssaints intercessionintercession inculturationinculturation

VocabularyVocabularyVocabularyVocabulary

Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Chapter 7 Chinese Religions.

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Transcript of Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 7 Chinese Religions Chapter 7 Chinese Religions.