Confucianism/Daoism Flashcards

the three teachings (sanjiao)

Term for Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism; in China, common for all three to be practiced at the same time

li

Ritual practice/propriety in Confucianism; sometimes translated as “rites”

self-cultivation

Working on oneself (usually one’s passion and desires: trained spontaneity) and one’s relation to others to become virtuous and a junzi/sage

junzi

Person of exceptional or exemplary behavior; sometimes translated as “gentleman” or “superior person”

ren

The central virtue on Confucianism, translated as “benevolence” or “goodness”

filial piety

Honoring and showing respect towards one’s family through ritual practice and strengthening relationships; does not end when loved ones die, maintained eternally

Qingming

Festival celebrated in Spring in Confucianism; families bring offerings to ancestors’ graves to venerate them and strengthen relation (five relationships)

dao

“The Way”; either the nature of ultimate reality or a way taken by those of a particular tradition

wuwei

“Non-Action”, part of the Dao; acting without intention or self-interest

ziran

Spontaneity; translated as “naturalness”

alchemy

In Daoism, separated into internal and external alchemy; external involves making elixir/pill to make one immortal, internal involves achieving immortality via meditative/qi-circulating processes

qi

Material force or vital energy

yin-yang

symbol that represents the harmony and flow within Dao; Yang is white and represents light, day, etc., Yin is black and represents darkness, night, etc.

The Cultural Revolution

Period in Chinese history from 1966-76; communist rule considered Confucianism to be counterevolutionary and destroyed his home; various religious movements persecuted

Symbol for Ren

仁; characters for “two” and “people" → emphasizes need for relationships and interaction (five relationships) to become Junzi

What are the arguments for and against labeling Confucianism a “religion”? (Be prepared

to give at least two arguments for and two arguments against.)

Against: More of an ethical/political philosophy, No explicit doctrine of the supernatural (gods, spirits, afterlife), Can be combined with Buddhism/Daoism

For: Fingarette (secular as sacred), Heaven as source of moral authority, Presence of ritual practices (ancestor veneration)

Did Confucius see himself as the founder of Confucianism? Why or why not?

Does not see himself as founder of religion, but transmitter rather than creator/believer and lover of antiquity; Simply wanted to preserve and spread moral and ethical ideas of earlier Chinese traditions

How might a Confucian answer the question, “What is my purpose in life?” How might a

Daoist answer the same question?

Confucian: Engross oneself in learning, self-cultivation of ren, and li to become a junzi (gentleman) and realize trained spontaneity (act on one’s desires without being immoral)

Daoist: Become a sage through non-action (wuwei) and following the Dao; also become an immortal through alchemy

What are the “five relationships” in Confucianism? Why are they important?

Five Relationships: Child to Parent, Younger Sibling to Older Sibling, Ruler to Subject, Friend to Friend, Wife to Husband

Important because cultivation would result from honoring and strengthening these relationships

How does one become a superior person (junzi), according to Confucianism?

Through learning, self-cultivation, and ritual practices (ancestor veneration (show respect to those who came before you), honoring the five relationships, partake in filial piety (maintain relationship with lost ones through mourning rituals)

When and how is Qingming celebrated? How does it embody Confucian values?

Qingming is celebrated in Spring and involves giving offerings to ancestors’ graves; embodies Confucian values by strengthening relationship (Five Relationships) and venerating ancestors

What does it mean to practice alchemy, in the context of Daoism?

Involves external/internal practices to achieve immortality

How is it possible for a person to practice Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism together?

Practice Confucianism/Daoism for focus in this life (Confucianism: external/social practices; Daoism: internal/life-prolonging practice), but Buddhism for future lives (rebirth, liberation)

When Buddhism was introduced in China, why were some people attracted to it? Give

two specific reasons. (See the textbook for this one.)

1. The idea of a religious community (sangha) outside of one’s family or religious clan

2. The promise of enlightenment/better chance of happiness or equanimity in one’s life

Why were Confucians sometimes critical of Buddhism? Give two specific reasons. (See

the textbook.)

1. Leaving society to become a monk made it impossible to enact the duties of ancestor veneration and filail piety

2. Buddhist renunciation of worldly pleasures went far beyond Confucian principles of moderation; denies value of world that Confucius taught

Comparing Confucianism/Daoism

Similarities: Dao is the Way, Self-cultivation to achieve trained spontaneity

Differences: Dao = Moral order of cosmos (Confucianism) vs. Mysterious source of the cosmos, Self-cultivation achieved through li (Confucianism) vs. wuwei (Daoism), Goal = become a junzi (Confucianism) vs. become a Sage/Immortal (Daoism)

The Great Learning

“Illustrate illustrious virtue, renovate the people, rest in highest excellence”, the ancients, regulating families/governments, knowledge/cultivation of person a foundation

the Analects

filial piety (propriety towards elders), scholars/education, Government ruled by virtue rather than punishment, Heaven as moral authority, motives set on virtue/goodness

Mencius

Human nature good (humanity = heart of compassion/respect/disdain/approval); people can become good because they have hearts/means to do so; environment affects goodness but not potential

Xunzi

Human nature bad, goodness only result of deliberate effort; people born with wrongful desires (crooked wood, bent metal); people desire good because nature is bad

Fingarette’s essay

secular as sacred; discusses analects, Human community as holy rite: Social life itself is a sacred act, where proper conduct (li) cultivates virtue and unity.

the Zhuangzi

Butterfly; Peng and Kun,

Daodejing

Dao (origin of heaven and Earth) cannot be spoken; collorless, noiseless, formless; yin, yang, and qi; wuwei (non-action); those who seek power won’t gain it