Chinese religions

Confucianism

An ethical and philosophical tradition based on the teachings of Confucius (Kong Fuzi, 551-479 BCE). It focuses on how to live well within society: cultivating moral character, fulfilling one’s roles in relationships, and building a harmonious social and political order.

The Five Elements

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water

• framework for understanding the natural world

• influences human behavior, health, and destiny

  • used in todays health setting (acupuncture, holistic medicine)

Yin and Yang

Dualistic concept symbolized by the Taijitu

• Balance of opposing forces in the universe

• Chinese thought doesn’t think of it as good or bad, more as “light” and “dark”

• Balance is important!

The Five Classics (early Zhou period)

Book of Odes, Book of History, Record of Rites, Spring and Autumn annuals

The Book of Changes (I Ching)

• oldest of the classics

• ancient divination and philisophical text

• 64

Confucius

• 551-479 BCE

• Kong Fu zi - Master Kong

• Born towards the end of the Jo period

• philosopher, teacher, Government administrator

• his teachings are contained in The Analects

Ruism

Another term for Kong Fu Zi’s teachings

Ru = scholar

cornerstone of Chinese culture

Analects

• Selected sayings attributed to Confucius chosen by his students

• Dialogues between Master and Student

Li

Ritual property

• manners, customs, ceremonies, etiquette

Filal Piety

• Good treatment of parents and grandparents

• respect for elders and ancestors

• has to go both ways however

Recitation of names

• Father > Son

• Husband > Wife

• Elder Sibling > Younger sibling

• Elder friend > younger friend

• Ruler > Subject

Dao De Jing (Daoism)

The Way and its Power

• a long, slow life is optimal

Wu-Wei

Actionless action

Ex: the way water wears down a rock is not going against the flow, its going with it

• Going with the flow is an action

Ziran

natural spontaneity

The Zhuangzi

an ancient Chinese philosopher, Daoist text attributed to him