Expanded Chinese Religions / Asian Lit Midterm Flashcards

Chronological Order of Eras: * Shang $\rightarrow$ Zhou $\rightarrow$ Qin $\rightarrow$ Han $\rightarrow$ Sui $\rightarrow$ Tang $\rightarrow$ Song $\rightarrow$ Yuan $\rightarrow$ Ming $\rightarrow$ Qing $\rightarrow$ Republican $\rightarrow$ Mao. * Study Requirement: Students are expected to memorize only the specific order of these dynasties rather than the historical details associated with each. * Mnemonic Device: "Smart Zebras Quit Having Sour Tummy Stuff Yesterday Morning Quickly."

Core Objectives: Focuses extensively on morality, social order, education, and the cultivation of proper relationships.
Key Virtues: * Ren: Humaneness or benevolence. * Li: Proper external behavior, ritual propriety, and etiquette.
Heaven's Mandate: * The philosophical concept that Heaven (Tian) grants rulers the legitimate right to rule. * Crucially, corrupt rulers lose the support of Heaven, forfeiting their mandate. * Historically, this doctrine was utilized by the Zhou Dynasty to justify their overthrow and replacement of the Shang Dynasty.
Junzi (The Gentleman): * Defined as the ideal moral person within the Confucian system. * Characterized as being highly educated, disciplined, and virtuous. * Represents the peak of ethical behavior and personal integrity.
Key Historical Role Models: * King Wen: The founder and model ruler of the Zhou Dynasty. He serves as a central figure in Confucianism, representing morality, civilization, and culture. * Duke of Zhou: Served as a vital role model for Confucius. He is celebrated for his loyalty, wisdom, and his association with proper government and moral leadership.

General Focus: Prioritizes harmony with nature, balance, and spontaneity.
Dao (The Way): Represents the natural order of the universe. Adherents believe people should live in complete harmony with this fundamental concept.
Wu Wei: * Translates to "nonaction" or "non-forcing." * Emphasizes the importance of going with the natural flow of existence rather than exerting artificial force.
Zhuangzi (Daoist Philosopher): * A major thinker connected to ideas of naturalness and spontaneity. * Commonly associated with the Daodejing and the figure of Laozi. * Famous for philosophical allegories, including: * The Butterfly Dream: Questioning the nature of reality and the self. * The Worthless Tree: Illustrating the utility of what others deem useless.

General Philosophy: Focuses on the cessation of suffering through enlightenment and detachment. Buddhism spread extensively across China during later dynastic periods.
Mahayana Buddhism: * The primary form of Buddhism that gained dominance in China. * The term means "Great Vehicle." * The ultimate goal is the salvation and enlightenment of all sentient beings.
Dharma: A term used for the teachings of the Buddha; it signifies moral law, Buddhist truth, and spiritual guidance.
The Four Noble Truths: 1. Life contains suffering. 2. Suffering originates from desire and attachment. 3. Suffering can be brought to an end. 4. The end of suffering is achieved by following the path.
Bodhisattva Figures: * Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara): Known as the Bodhisattva of compassion. She deliberately delays her own enlightenment to assist other suffering beings. She is a featured figure in the Heart Sutra.
Key Philosophical Concepts: * Prajnaparamita: Translates to the "Perfection of Wisdom." It refers to deep spiritual wisdom and the correct understanding of reality. * Emptiness: A central Buddhist concept stating that nothing exists independently or permanently; all things are interconnected and transient. Emptiness is foundational to reaching enlightenment.
The Heart Sutra: A critically important Mahayana Buddhist text focusing on wisdom and emptiness. It includes dialogue or features involving Guanyin and Shariputra.

Pan Gu: The central figure in Chinese creation mythology. According to the myth, he was born from a cosmic egg. He is responsible for separating heaven and earth, and upon his death, his body transformed into various parts of the natural world.
Jade Emperor: The ruler of Heaven in Chinese mythology and the primary authority figure among the gods.
Yama: The judge and ruler of the underworld, associated with death and the judgment of souls. He is a significant figure in Buddhist mythology.

Qu Yuan: An ancient Chinese poet associated with the Dragon Boat Festival. He is regarded as one of the first truly great poets in Chinese history.
Classic of Poetry: A foundational Confucian classic. It contains various poems that praise figures such as King Wen. The text utilizes emotional depth and imagery to impart moral lessons.
Journey to the West: * A famous religious and mythological novel that synthesizes elements of Buddhism, Daoism, and Chinese folklore. * The plot centers on a perilous journey to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from India. * Main Characters: * Xuanzang (Tripitaka): A Buddhist monk and the central religious figure of the novel; he travels to India for scriptures. * Sun Wukong (Monkey King): A powerful trickster character with magical abilities; he is the novel's protagonist. * Pigsy: A companion of Xuanzang who represents greed and laziness; he frequently serves as comic relief. * Sandy: A river spirit who serves as a loyal and calm companion to Xuanzang on the journey.