Religions of East Asia
description
Transcript of Religions of East Asia
Religions of East Asia
Chinese civilization began along the Yellow River in 4000 BCE
-Earth-God is oldest religious symbol represented by stones or mounds-Burial and Ancestrism-worship of ancestors, very important -very ornate burials for kings Concept of Tian or “Heaven” as the moderator
of the universe. Not directly worshipped. Sun, moon, stars, and ancestors were
worshipped through offerings
Ancient Chinese Religion
Divination of “Oracle bones”
-kings would ask their ancestors questions, answers would be determined by cracks in a tortoiseshell when it was heated over fire Ancient Chinese religion
emphasized unity and harmony of all things in the universe
Cont.
Dao (Tao) Translated as “the way” Knowing, living, and constructing a society
that exemplifies the Dao is the central theme of many Asian religions
Dao can be expressed in nature, human society, and one’s inner being
The Dao-Foundation of Confucianism and Daoism
The Age of Confucius
Zhou Dynasty was coming to an end, the capitol had been attacked, emperor reduced to a powerless figurehead
Great thinkers were thinking of ways to put society back together
So many great thinkers emerged that this period was called “The Hundred Schools”
Confucius was one of these thinkers
Age of Change
Kong Fuzi “Confucius”-551 to 479 B.C. Born to nobility-people of high rank
◦ Ru class-specialized in 6 arts Father died, raised by his mother Well-educated, became a teacher
Confucius the Teacher
1. Husband and wife 2. Father and son 3. Older and younger brother 4. Friend and Friend 5. Ruler and subject
3/5 relationships dealt with family Chinese highly valued the family unit
5 basic relationships
Family was the example for how a ruler should treat his subjects
A good ruler was supposed to be like a good father, people should follow his example
Rulers and their subjects
“If the people be led by laws, and uniformity among them be sought by punishments, they will try to escape punishment and have no sense of shame. If they are led by virtue, and uniformity sought among them through the practice of ritual propriety, they will possess a sense of shame and come to you of their own accord.”
What were Confucius’ thoughts on how people should be governed?
Confucius and Government
Thought government should be based on virtue or goodness, not laws and punishment
Argued that government officials should earn their jobs through education and talent, not through family connections
Do you think that the government should run on virtue, not rules?
Confucius and government
“He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”
What were Confucius’ view on education?
Confucius and Education
Confucius’ writings are complied in The Analects
One must be motivated by virtue (ren)-humanity, love, high principle, etc
Jun-zi-superior man who serves society by applying ren
Human nature is innately good, people will be good so long as god examples lead society
Li-rites, proper conduct, ceremonies, or doing things the right way; establishing order
Fundamentals of Confucianism
100 yrs after Confucius died, his disciple Mencius began spreading the ideas of Confucius
Mencius thought human nature is good, and is impeded by an evil social environment
A follower of Confucius
Dong Zhongshu-focused on the interrelationship of all things
Yin-Yang concept Yang-masculine, day, sky, spring, bright,
clear, hard, assertive: symbol is the dragon Yin-Feminine, night, earth, moisture,
autumn, harvest, darrkness, underneath, moon: symbol is the tiger
Neither is better than the other
Han Synthesis
List 3-5 polarities that co-exist Ex: Day/Night
With a partner…
Feng-shui: elaborate art that determines the yin-yang balance within a location
Han Synthesis Cont.
Underlined the Chinese “work ethic” Promoted diligence, productivity, and
importance of family honor
Confucian Moral/Social Values
Not all scholars supported Confucius Moists-People who followed Mozi, believed
in universal love, and equal love for all people
Legalists-thought people had bad nature, strong government with strict punishments would keep order
Daoists-wanted small simple society, people should be in harmony with their feelings and nature
Opponents of Confucianism
Laozi “The Old Man” legends surrounding his existence
Wrote the Dao de Jing- “the book of the dao and how to apply its strength”
Supported the relationship of mother and child-weakness could be strengths
Simple living, no elitism
Laozi and the Dao De Jing
Confucianism
Moism Legalism Daoism
Human Nature
Good Good Bad Neither good or bad
Government Rule by example like a good father
Rule by mean of learning
Rule by strict laws
Small and simple
Right Conduct
Sincerity, loyalty, kindness and respect (especially for family)
Universal love
Obedience to strict laws
In harmony with nature
Overview
Which view do you most agree with?
Good ruler establishes harmony in society Mandate of Heaven-sign that heaven approves of
one’s rulership Under the Han dynasty, Yin was the ruler Yan was
the people Many changes occurred to China’s politics when then
opened up to Western Trade Boxer Rebellion-1900, Chinese wanted to remove
foreign powers from China 1949-Peoples Republic of China (communist regime)
Mao Zedong led the Great Cultural Revolution-Mao as an idol, cleansed China of all “old” things
Confucius and Politics
More Chinese are claiming that they are religious adherents (31.4 %)
66% traditional Chinese 15% Muslims 12% Christians
China Today
Confucianism-women were subordinate to men, women were restricted to the home domain
Book of Rites: “The woman follows (and obeys) the man; in her youth, she follows her father and elder brother; when married, she follows her husband; when her husband is dead, she follows her son.”
-women were not considered as part of an ancestral line until marriage
Women in Chinese Religion
In marriage, women represent yin (passive) husband is yang (active)
Arrival of sons increased a woman’s status
Women in Chinese Religion
Daoism-lots of female symbolism Wu-wei: “going with the flow” aligned to
female passivity Daoism is believed to linked to the concept
of an ancient mother goddess and that the dao itself is a female
Chinese women in religion
Footbinding-began with nobility and then the trend spread all over China
The goal was to mold the feet into perfect “golden lotuses” three inches long and in the shape of the bud of a flower
Women whose feet were bound were highly desired
The “Golden Lotus”
Modern day binding?
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2201777n
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7396762n
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=692802n
The “way of the gods” the “to” in Shinto is the same as the Chinese “Dao”
Basic Worldview-many gods in the universe (called kami), universe is always growing and changing
4 basic affirmations1. Traditions-rites2. Life in this world-linking the past with the present3. Purity-shines are pure, ritual washes before entering4. Festival-colorful celebrations
Japanese Religion-Shinto
4 Ps Purification, Presentation, Prayer, and
Participation
80-90% of Japanese adhere to Shinto
Shinto Worship
Fredrich Nietzsche
“Out of chaos comes order”
How does this quote relate to the chaos surrounding the fall of the Zhou Dynasty?
Think about it…
Become a philosopher!
Make up your own philosophy including your thoughts on human nature, government, and right conduct, and be sure to give your world view a name.
Ex: Rodriguianism As a Rodriguianist, I believe that human nature is evil. People have bad desires, but can learn to control them. The government should help people control them by offering rewards for people who do good things and by punishing people who do bad things. Rulers should be good examples to the citizens. The most important thing in life is to love everyone and nature, and treat everyone with respect. People must remember to be honest, work-hard, and be well-educated.
HW: