Expanded Chinese Religions / Asian Lit Midterm Flashcards

Flashcards covering the order of Chinese dynasties, key philosophical and religious concepts from Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, and characters from Journey to the West.

Chinese Dynasty Order

The chronological sequence of Chinese dynasties: Shang → Zhou → Qin → Han → Sui → Tang → Song → Yuan → Ming → Qing → Republican → Mao.

Mahayana Buddhism

Commonly known as the "Great Vehicle," this form focuses on salvation and enlightenment for all beings and became dominant in China.

King Wen

The founder and model ruler of the Zhou Dynasty who represents culture, morality, and civilization; he is a significant figure in Confucianism.

Zhuangzi

A Daoist philosopher connected to spontaneity and naturalness; associated with the Daodejing, Laozi, and stories like the butterfly dream or the worthless tree.

Dharma

A term representing the teachings of Buddha, Buddhist truth, guidance, or moral law.

Four Noble Truths

The Buddhist teachings that life contains suffering, suffering comes from desire and attachment, and suffering can end by following the path.

Qu Yuan

An ancient Chinese poet considered one of the first great poets of China; he is closely associated with the Dragon Boat Festival.

Pan Gu

A figure in Chinese creation mythology born from a cosmic egg who separated heaven and earth; his body eventually became parts of nature.

Guanyin / Avalokiteshvara

The Bodhisattva of compassion who delays enlightenment to help suffering beings and appears in the Heart Sutra.

Prajnaparamita

Meaning "Perfection of Wisdom," it relates to deep spiritual wisdom and the correct understanding of reality and emptiness.

Heaven's Mandate

The belief that heaven grants rulers the right to rule, which can be lost if a ruler is corrupt; used by the Zhou Dynasty to justify replacing the Shang.

Duke of Zhou

An important role model for Confucius known for his wisdom, loyalty, and association with proper government and morality.

Classic of Poetry

A Confucian classic containing poems that use imagery and emotion to teach morality and praise rulers like King Wen.

Junzi / THE GENTLEMAN

The ideal moral person in Confucianism who is educated, disciplined, virtuous, and represents the highest ethical behavior.

Confucianism

A philosophy focusing on morality, social order, education, and proper relationships, emphasizing virtues such as ren and li.

Daoism

A tradition focusing on harmony with nature, spontaneity, balance, and the concept of wu wei (nonaction).

Buddhism

A religion focusing on ending suffering through teachings of enlightenment and detachment; it spread widely in China during later dynasties.

Dao / THE WAY

The central concept in Daoism representing the natural order of the universe that people should live in harmony with.

Wu Wei

A key Daoist teaching meaning nonaction or non-forcing; it refers to going with the natural flow.

Heart Sutra

A significant Mahayana Buddhist text involving Guanyin and Shariputra that focuses on wisdom and emptiness.

Emptiness

A central Buddhist concept connected to wisdom and enlightenment, stating that nothing exists independently or permanently.

Journey to the West

A famous Chinese religious and mythological novel combining Buddhism, Daoism, and folklore centered on a quest for Buddhist scriptures.

Sun Wukong

The Monkey King character in Journey to the West; a powerful trickster with magical abilities.

Xuanzang / Tripitaka

The Buddhist monk in Journey to the West who travels to India to retrieve scriptures.

Pigsy

A companion of Xuanzang in Journey to the West who acts as comic relief and represents greed and laziness.

Sandy

A loyal and calm river spirit companion who travels with Xuanzang in Journey to the West.

Jade Emperor

The ruler of Heaven in Chinese mythology and an authority figure among the gods in Journey to the West.

Yama

The judge and ruler of the underworld associated with death and judgment in Buddhist mythology.