Buddhism comes from India, Confucianism and Taoism are from China
Taoism and Confucianism are the most influential indigenous philosophies of China
All began around 600 BCE
Taoism
Yin Yang – shows balance between two opposites (duality). Shows the interdependence on one another and the perfect balance/harmony.
Three Jewels of Tao:
Compassion, Kindness, Love
Moderation, Simplicity, Frugality
Humility, Modesty
Lao Tzu – Founder of Taoism (debate on if he actually existed)
Only two recorded stories about him
Credited as author of Tao Te Ching (primary text in Taoism)
Second story – Lao is frustrated with the people in China especially leaders and vows to leave. Reaches border crossing on water buffalo, guard begs him to stay as he is a sage. Guard convinces him to write his ideas, he agrees and returns with them a day or two later. He leaves China, and those papers become the Tao Te Ching (most important book in Taoism).
Tao means path, method, principle, or way.
Organizing principle of the Universe, “way of heaven”.
People can know that “way” through living in harmony with nature aka the cosmos and Universe.
“The Way” – the path that one must follow in life, the flow of the universe.
Argued that the Western translation that includes “The” implies a single path and damages the concept
Wu Wei – action in non-action
By not interfering in the order of the Universe, you are following the order.
Not opposing nature
High/highest form of virtue – acting without thinking, doing by doing nothing.
Stay in harmony with the natural universe, do not disrupt the harmony that already exists.
Purposeful acceptance of the way of the Tao.
Seen as opposite of Confucianism
Popularity rises and falls throughout Chinese history
Banned after communist takeover
Rises again after Cultural Revolution
Basic Beliefs:
Deities – nature spirits, ancient heroes, 8 immortals who become immortal through Taoism, humanized planets and stars
Heaven – the Pantheon (modeled after China at the time)
Confucianism
The Zhou Dynasty – 5th and 6th centuries
Political and social instability
Zhou dynasty defeats Shang dynasty
Brought most of China under a single government
Smaller territories formed into 7 states
Zhou lost much of their authority
The Warring States Period
Warfare between states and Zhou
Conflict creates need for new innovative political and social models
“Intellectual Golden Age”
New philosophies known as the “Hundred Schools of Thought”
Confucianism and Taoism became most influential
Confucius (Kongzi or Kongfuzi)
Real, lived around same time as Lao Tzu
Ancestors were aristocrats who lost wealth by his time of birth
By 15, set himself to learn everything he could. Sought out best teachers
First actual teacher in China
Believed humans are teachable, perfectible
Learning for sake of self
Public service is integral to true education
Served in government (peace deals)
Saw his ideas of self-improvement and enlightenment were not appreciated in government and it was corrupt
Self-exiled for 12 years
Confucianist Beliefs
Filial Piety – respect for one’s parents (most important part)
Ancestor worship: Humanness – connecting to other people
Ritual – reflect our societal values
Reciprocity – we are mutually responsible for one another
Five Relationships:
Parent and Child
Minister and Ruler
Older and Younger Brother
Husband and Wife
Friend and Friend
Government – when virtuous men lead by moral example, good government will naturally follow
Education – continued self-improvement through education for all
Adhering to social norms, our place in society
Doing what is expected, honoring parents, further enlightenment through education
Free thought is encouraged when it benefits society
Honor is critical
China’s Caste System
One massive society (largest society population)
Structured social system
Emperor and nobility at top – Mandate of Heaven
Scholars – low-level aristocrats
Peasant Farmers – provide food for the entire society
Artisans and Craftsmen – laborers who do not own land. Produce other goods of value
Merchants and Traders – wealthy, but not in high standing in society
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama – born 566 BCE to a warrior king
Given everything he wanted, but was kept locked away from the rest of the world
Curious and leave the castle to explore the world in multiple trips
Discovers the suffering that he had been sheltered from and mediates on the human condition (why we are here, what is our purpose, etc.)
Compassionate person for every living thing
Renounces all of his worldly possessions to become a monk and meditate on the suffering of the world
Reaches enlightenment and becomes “The Buddha”
Buddhist Beliefs
Four Noble Truths:
The Truth of suffering
The Truth of the CAUSE of suffering
The Truth of the END of suffering
The Truth of the path to the end of suffering
Desire and ignorance lie at the root of suffering
The Truth of suffering
The world is ALWAYS in some form of suffering – because humans are not perfect. This noble truth is critical to understand the other noble truths.
The Truth of the CAUSE of suffering
Suffering is caused by humans craving and wanting something. Greed and craving make us act irrationally (we can never be satisfied).
The Truth of the END of suffering
Stop our cravings for material things, stop our anger, ignorance, jealousy. Instead, seek inner peace and we can end our suffering and the suffering of others.
The Truth of the path to the end of suffering
Do not go to extremes in our lives, so we can live without attachment to material objects. Have balance in your life.
Desire – the constant quest for material possessions, immortality, pleasure, etc. can only bring us suffering because the more we have, the more we desire. There is no ultimate attainment where we are satisfied.
Ignorance – without the mental capacity to see the truth of the world, we succumb to greed, anger, hatred, and envy. This leads to suffering.
Buddhism is NOT negative – you find happiness through acceptance of the true nature of the Universe.
Karma:
NOT predetermined fate; good actions bring good karma
Karma affects happiness and can be built up
Happiness is essential to understanding the world and accepting the 4 noble truths.
Karma is NOT an eye for an eye (not situational)
Actions have karmic weight
Conditions which affect how strongly an action will impact your overall Karma:
Frequency
Intention
Regret
Action against extraordinary persons
Actions against people who have helped you in the past
Reincarnation:
6 realms in which someone can be reborn
3 fortunate
3 unfortunate
Placement depends on Karma in past
HIGHEST realm is that of men (people)
Gods and Demigods experience envy and cannot experience Nirvana (enlightenment). Only humans can.
The Dalai Lama
Tibetan Buddhist Monk
Very important religious figure and head of state
For people practicing Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is a figure both divine and human
He assumes the form of an “ordinary Buddhist monk” but is actually an enlightened Buddha who has been reborn to help suffering beings.
Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism
Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism
Buddhism comes from India, Confucianism and Taoism are from China
Taoism and Confucianism are the most influential indigenous philosophies of China
All began around 600 BCE
Taoism
Yin Yang – shows balance between two opposites (duality). Shows the interdependence on one another and the perfect balance/harmony.
Three Jewels of Tao:
Compassion, Kindness, Love
Moderation, Simplicity, Frugality
Humility, Modesty
Lao Tzu – Founder of Taoism (debate on if he actually existed)
Only two recorded stories about him
Credited as author of Tao Te Ching (primary text in Taoism)
Second story – Lao is frustrated with the people in China especially leaders and vows to leave. Reaches border crossing on water buffalo, guard begs him to stay as he is a sage. Guard convinces him to write his ideas, he agrees and returns with them a day or two later. He leaves China, and those papers become the Tao Te Ching (most important book in Taoism).
Tao means path, method, principle, or way.
Organizing principle of the Universe, “way of heaven”.
People can know that “way” through living in harmony with nature aka the cosmos and Universe.
“The Way” – the path that one must follow in life, the flow of the universe.
Argued that the Western translation that includes “The” implies a single path and damages the concept
Wu Wei – action in non-action
By not interfering in the order of the Universe, you are following the order.
Not opposing nature
High/highest form of virtue – acting without thinking, doing by doing nothing.
Stay in harmony with the natural universe, do not disrupt the harmony that already exists.
Purposeful acceptance of the way of the Tao.
Seen as opposite of Confucianism
Popularity rises and falls throughout Chinese history
Banned after communist takeover
Rises again after Cultural Revolution
Basic Beliefs:
Deities – nature spirits, ancient heroes, 8 immortals who become immortal through Taoism, humanized planets and stars
Heaven – the Pantheon (modeled after China at the time)
Confucianism
The Zhou Dynasty – 5th and 6th centuries
Political and social instability
Zhou dynasty defeats Shang dynasty
Brought most of China under a single government
Smaller territories formed into 7 states
Zhou lost much of their authority
The Warring States Period
Warfare between states and Zhou
Conflict creates need for new innovative political and social models
“Intellectual Golden Age”
New philosophies known as the “Hundred Schools of Thought”
Confucianism and Taoism became most influential
Confucius (Kongzi or Kongfuzi)
Real, lived around same time as Lao Tzu
Ancestors were aristocrats who lost wealth by his time of birth
By 15, set himself to learn everything he could. Sought out best teachers
First actual teacher in China
Believed humans are teachable, perfectible
Learning for sake of self
Public service is integral to true education
Served in government (peace deals)
Saw his ideas of self-improvement and enlightenment were not appreciated in government and it was corrupt
Self-exiled for 12 years
Confucianist Beliefs
Filial Piety – respect for one’s parents (most important part)
Ancestor worship: Humanness – connecting to other people
Ritual – reflect our societal values
Reciprocity – we are mutually responsible for one another
Five Relationships:
Parent and Child
Minister and Ruler
Older and Younger Brother
Husband and Wife
Friend and Friend
Government – when virtuous men lead by moral example, good government will naturally follow
Education – continued self-improvement through education for all
Adhering to social norms, our place in society
Doing what is expected, honoring parents, further enlightenment through education
Free thought is encouraged when it benefits society
Honor is critical
China’s Caste System
One massive society (largest society population)
Structured social system
Emperor and nobility at top – Mandate of Heaven
Scholars – low-level aristocrats
Peasant Farmers – provide food for the entire society
Artisans and Craftsmen – laborers who do not own land. Produce other goods of value
Merchants and Traders – wealthy, but not in high standing in society
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama – born 566 BCE to a warrior king
Given everything he wanted, but was kept locked away from the rest of the world
Curious and leave the castle to explore the world in multiple trips
Discovers the suffering that he had been sheltered from and mediates on the human condition (why we are here, what is our purpose, etc.)
Compassionate person for every living thing
Renounces all of his worldly possessions to become a monk and meditate on the suffering of the world
Reaches enlightenment and becomes “The Buddha”
Buddhist Beliefs
Four Noble Truths:
The Truth of suffering
The Truth of the CAUSE of suffering
The Truth of the END of suffering
The Truth of the path to the end of suffering
Desire and ignorance lie at the root of suffering
The Truth of suffering
The world is ALWAYS in some form of suffering – because humans are not perfect. This noble truth is critical to understand the other noble truths.
The Truth of the CAUSE of suffering
Suffering is caused by humans craving and wanting something. Greed and craving make us act irrationally (we can never be satisfied).
The Truth of the END of suffering
Stop our cravings for material things, stop our anger, ignorance, jealousy. Instead, seek inner peace and we can end our suffering and the suffering of others.
The Truth of the path to the end of suffering
Do not go to extremes in our lives, so we can live without attachment to material objects. Have balance in your life.
Desire – the constant quest for material possessions, immortality, pleasure, etc. can only bring us suffering because the more we have, the more we desire. There is no ultimate attainment where we are satisfied.
Ignorance – without the mental capacity to see the truth of the world, we succumb to greed, anger, hatred, and envy. This leads to suffering.
Buddhism is NOT negative – you find happiness through acceptance of the true nature of the Universe.
Karma:
NOT predetermined fate; good actions bring good karma
Karma affects happiness and can be built up
Happiness is essential to understanding the world and accepting the 4 noble truths.
Karma is NOT an eye for an eye (not situational)
Actions have karmic weight
Conditions which affect how strongly an action will impact your overall Karma:
Frequency
Intention
Regret
Action against extraordinary persons
Actions against people who have helped you in the past
Reincarnation:
6 realms in which someone can be reborn
3 fortunate
3 unfortunate
Placement depends on Karma in past
HIGHEST realm is that of men (people)
Gods and Demigods experience envy and cannot experience Nirvana (enlightenment). Only humans can.
The Dalai Lama
Tibetan Buddhist Monk
Very important religious figure and head of state
For people practicing Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is a figure both divine and human
He assumes the form of an “ordinary Buddhist monk” but is actually an enlightened Buddha who has been reborn to help suffering beings.