Unit 2-Part 1: Confucianism and Daoism/Taoism

Both of these religions came from China.

However, they were not supposed to be religions. They were initially philosophies, but turned into religions. Confucius, the founder of

Confucianism

First, let’s talk about Confucianism The founder of this

religion was Confucius.

Part of Chou Dynasty Known for counseling

a small band of students during his lifetime

His sayings were written down in the Analects/ Lun Yu-one of a 4 book collection called the Si Shu. This is the title page of a

copy of the Analects.

His Followers

With the exception of his students and group of political leaders that followed him, Confucius had little success during his lifetime

However, there are now approx. 6 million Confucians in the world-primarily in China and other parts of Asia.

Core Beliefs

Confucian ethical teachings include the following values:

Li: includes ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc. Hsiao: love within the family: love of parents for

their children and of children for their parents Yi: righteousness Xin: honesty and trustworthiness Jen: benevolence, humaneness towards others; the

highest Confucian virtue Chung: loyalty to the state, etc.

Practices

Confucianism does not contain all of the elements of some other religions, like Christianity and Islam. – It is primarily an ethical system to which rituals at

important times during one's lifetime have been added.

Since the time of the Han dynasty (206 CE) four life passages have been recognized and regulated by Confucian tradition: birth; reaching maturity; marriage, and death

The Five Relationships of Confucius

People were supposed to stay in their place in society. This created harmony.

The five relationships are:– Father/son– Brother/brother– Husband/wife– Ruler/subject– Friend/friend

Filial Piety

The most important item for a person that is Confucian is filial piety-respect for parents.

If you respect your parents, everything else will fall into place.

Gate of Filial Piety

Spread of Confucianism

The ironic thing about Confucianism is that it didn’t begin spreading until after his death.

Because of this, Confucius didn’t experience wealth and fame during his life.

Taoism/Daoism

The founder of Taoism is Laozi.

Taoists believe in harmony with nature instead of harmony with people.

Taoism is the opposite of Confucianism

Laozi

The Tao

The tao is known as the way.

The goal of a Taoist is to become one with the tao.

They also believe in yin and yang, or the balance of forces in the universe.

Other Facts about Taoism

They are polytheistic and believe in spirits and gods of nature.

They believe that if you are kind to people, they will be kind to you.

Taoists focus on harmony with

nature

Taoism Today

Taoism currently has about 20 million followers, and is primarily centered in Taiwan.

About 30,000 Taoists live in North America; 1,720 in Canada (1991 census).

Taoism has had a significant impact on North American culture in areas of "acupuncture, herbalism, holistic medicine, meditation and martial arts..."

A Few Taoism Quotes

"Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river." Lao Tse

"Different Chinese philosophers, writing probably in 5-4 centuries B.C., presented some major ideas and a way of life that are nowadays known under the name of Taoism, the way of correspondence between man and the tendency or the course of natural world." Alan Watts, from his book: "Tao: The Watercourse Way."

"We believe in the formless and eternal Tao, and we recognize all personified deities as being mere human constructs. We reject hatred, intolerance, and unnecessary violence, and embrace harmony, love and learning, as we are taught by Nature. We place our trust and our lives in the Tao, that we may live in peace and balance with the Universe, both in this mortal life and beyond." Creed of the Western Reform Taoist Congregation