Relg 1040 Confucianism and Daoism

The Three Teachings (Sanjiao)

Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism

Li

Ritual propriety

Self Cultivation

Cultivating oneself, you can change/grow/develop

Junzi

The personality ideal in Confucianism; gentleman, the noble person

Ren

Benevolence, goodness, humaness

Filial Piety

Respect shown by children for their parents and elders. Relationship between parent and child

Qingming

Tomb-sweeping festival, people go to the tombs of ancestors and give offerings (write more)

Dao

The way

Wuwei

Non-action, the preferred Daoist path of least resistance, allowing things to run their natural course

Ziran

Natural Spontaneity

Alchemy

Inner alchemy, you can control the qi in your body, by which to harness greater powers of self-becoming; ex. Men being abstinent in order to preserve the qi
Outer alchemy is taking something more in order to increase the qi in your body
External alchemy was used to achieve immortality

Yin-Yang

In Daoist belief, complementary factors that help to maintain the equilibrium of the world. Yang is associated with masculine, light, active qualities while the Yin is feminine, dark, and passive qualities.

The cultural revolution

Period of tremendous persecution of intellectuals, scientists, and religion because they were against Maoism

What are the arguments for and against labeling Confucianism a “religion”? (2 arguments for 2 arguments against)

Against:

• Primarily an ethical and political philosophy focused on human relationships, virtue, and social harmony rather than divine worship.

• Lacks a clear doctrine about gods, spirits, or the afterlife, which are common features in many organized religions.

• Can be practiced alongside Daoism or Buddhism, suggesting it functions more like a worldview or moral system than a standalone religion.

For:

• Concept of “Heaven” as a moral force: Heaven acts as a source of ethical order and legitimacy, similar to a divine will.

• Ritual practices like ancestor veneration show reverence, spiritual continuity, and communal memory, functioning like religious rites.

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

No, Confucius did not see himself as the founder of Confucianism. He described himself as a transmitter, not a creator, emphasizing his role in preserving and sharing the wisdom of the past. As a believer and lover of antiquity, he edited the Six Classics to pass on ancient teachings rather than invent new ones.

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

Confucians purpose in life is to become a Muniz by cultivating enough ren. Their purpose is also centered around the five relationships. Daoist purpose in life is to go with the flow. They believe in non action which helps them achieve a state of Ziran. Their goal is to become immortal by circulating Qi through alchemy.

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

Child: Parent, Wife: Husband, Subject: Ruler, Friend: Friend, Younger Sibling: Older Sibling. One must cultivate ren through these five relationships to become a junzi. Represents harmony, hierarchy, and respect.

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

One must cultivate enough ten to become a Junzi. Ren is cultivated through li and the Five Relationships. Anyone can become a junzi and it is not dependent on status.

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

• Qingming is celebrated in April by visiting ancestral tombs, cleaning graves, and making offerings like food, incense, and joss paper to honor the dead.

• Families perform ritual acts of remembrance such as bowing, burning incense, and sharing stories about ancestors to show respect and maintain connections across generations.

• The festival embodies Confucian values of filial piety (xiao) by encouraging descendants to care for and honor their ancestors, showing loyalty and gratitude.

• It reflects Confucian emphasis on ritual propriety (li) by following traditional practices that maintain social order, reinforce family unity, and promote moral reflection.

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

In the context of Daoism, practicing alchemy means seeking immortality or spiritual transformation by aligning with the Dao, the natural way of the universe.

• External alchemy (waidan) involves mixing physical substances like herbs or minerals to create elixirs that were believed to extend life or grant immortality.

• Internal alchemy (neidan) is a spiritual practice focused on meditation, breath control, diet, and energy cultivation to transform the body and spirit from within.

• The goal is not just physical longevity, but harmony with nature and the Dao, achieving spiritual refinement and transcendence.

• Daoist alchemy reflects the belief that humans can transform themselves by imitating the cyclical, balanced processes of nature.

How is it possible for some people to practice both Confucianism and Daoism?

Confucianism and Daoism are more of an ethical philosophy than a religion to many people. It does not have any central figure of worship. Also, Confucianism and Daoism focus on the current life both internally and externally by having social interactions and prolonging ones life span by cultivating qi according to The Three Teachings.

Why were people in China attracted to Buddhism? Give two specific reasons.

Buddhism suggested that the effects of ones actions, both in reward and punishment, would be bound to the individual rather than their ancestors. Also, Buddhism had a large monastic community, art, and architecture that the Chinese were attracted to. Moreover, the teachings on suffering and the part to liberation and enlightenment resonated with people living in a time of instability as well as the cultivation of wisdom and compassion which mirrored the concern of security and harmony

Why were Confucians sometimes critical of Buddhism? Give 2 specific reasons.

Leaving the family to become a monk contradicts the Five Relationships. Some practices, like shaving ones head were also questionable. Finally, Buddhism lacks authority because it did not originate in China and were not mentioned in the Five Classics

Essay Question: Begin by identifying the two images below and explaining their significance. For the image on the left, you should know the meaning of the character, its folk/popular etymology, the tradition with which it is associated (i.e., Confucianism or Daoism), and why it is important. For the image on the right, you should know the name of the image, the tradition with which it is chiefly associated, and why it is important. Then, briefly compare the two traditions, considering similarities as well as differences.

Image on the Left (Yin-Yang Symbol - Daoism):

• Meaning: The Yin-Yang symbol represents the balance of opposites: light and dark, male and female, active and passive.

• Etymology: The word "Yin" refers to the passive, dark, and feminine aspects, while "Yang" represents the active, light, and masculine aspects. The circular form indicates that these forces are interconnected and interdependent.

• Tradition: Daoism (Taoism). This symbol is central in Daoist philosophy, where balance and harmony with the Dao (the Way) are emphasized.

• Importance: The Yin-Yang symbol is crucial in Daoism as it represents the fluid and cyclical nature of the universe, where opposites constantly transform into one another. It encourages harmony and the understanding that every phenomenon contains its opposite.

Image on the Right (Ren - Confucianism):

• Name: The character shown on the right is "Ren" (仁).

• Meaning: Ren translates to "benevolence," "humaneness," or "virtue." It refers to the ideal of compassion and kindness toward others.

• Etymology: The character Ren consists of the elements for "person" (人) and "two" (二), symbolizing the relationship between individuals and the importance of mutual respect.

• Tradition: Confucianism. This concept is central to Confucian philosophy, which focuses on the cultivation of moral virtues in social relationships.

• Importance: Ren is foundational in Confucian ethics, emphasizing human connection, respect for others, and the cultivation of personal virtues to maintain social harmony.

Comparing Daoism and Confucianism:

• Similarities:

  • Both traditions emphasize harmony with nature and society.

  • Both value moral conduct, though they approach it differently—Daoism through spontaneous alignment with the Dao, and Confucianism through active cultivation of virtues like Ren.

• Differences:

  • Daoism focuses on the natural flow of the universe and the harmony between opposites (Yin-Yang), while Confucianism stresses structured social roles and duties (e.g., Ren, filial piety).

  • Daoism is more individualistic, focusing on the alignment of the self with the natural world. Confucianism is more social, stressing relationships and community-based ethics.

  • Daoism advocates for a spontaneous and effortless way of living, whereas Confucianism believes in active cultivation of moral virtues and the adherence to social rituals.