Major Asian Belief Systems Confucianism Taoism and Buddhism

Major Asian Belief Systems Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism

Question of the Day… What principles should guide human conduct and ensure order in society?

Confucianism

Confucianism: Origins • Confucius was born in 551 B. C. E. during the Zhou Dynasty • Teachings became popular during the Han Dynasty • Developed a philosophy to promote peace and harmony through proper behavior • Teachings collected in the Analects

Confucianism: Teachings • Five relationships govern society – Ruler and ruled – Father and son – Older brother and younger brother – Husband wife – Friend and friend* • One person has authority over the other, and has a responsibility to set a good example and take care of the other

Confucianism: Teachings cont. • Loyalty, courtesy, hard work and service are key values • Family and society are more important than the individual • Stressed filial piety • Education is the gateway to improvement of the individual and society; contributes to the practice of ethical behavior “To enrich your family, there is no need to buy good land: Books hold a thousand measures of grain. ” Confucius

Confucianism: Influence • Under the Han Dynasty (around 200 B. C. E. ) Confucian philosophy gained strong influence • Government run by the most learned men Above: Painting depicting students studying for the exam Below: Recreated cell, where students would have taken the exam – Students attended university – Had to pass a Civil Service Examination on Confucian teachings, as well as Chinese law, history and traditions – System lasted until the 1900’s • WASL?

Taoism/Daoism

Daoism: Origins • The origins of Daoism are unclear • Attributed to Lao Zi, during 500 - 400 B. C. E. • Developed a philosophy based on non-action (going with the flow!) • Teachings recorded in the Tao De Jing (The Way of Virtue)

Daoism: Teachings • Simplicity is a key value • The best way to live is the natural way • A society with rules is an artificial creation that disturbs the natural order Yin-Yang: Complimentary opposites. “You can conquer others with power, but it takes true strength to conquer yourself”. - Tao De Jing

Daoism: Influence • Led to dominance of nature in Chinese painting and poetry • Daoists made advances in science and technology – Magnetic compass – Gun powder

Question… What would Daoists say about Confucianism?

Buddhism

Buddhism: Origins • Founded around 530 B. C. E. by Siddhartha Gautama who lived in Northeast India • Rejected the Hindu caste system and materialism in favor of individual spirituality • The teachings of the Buddha were recorded in hundreds of documents Buddhapada: Footprints of the Buddha. • Arrived in Southeast and East Asia around 100 C. E.

Buddhism: Schools • Theravada – Practiced in Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand – Considered the original school of Buddhism • Mahayana • Vajrayana – Practiced in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Mongolia – The lama (or guru) is central to this practice • Zen – Practiced in China, – Practiced in Japan Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Tibet – Emphasis on meditation – Branched off from Theravada, some • These are just a few differences in scriptures examples! and practices

Buddhism: Teachings • The Four Noble Truths – 1. Life is suffering – 2. Suffering is caused by wanting and aversion – 3. Suffering can be overcome and happiness attained (Nirvana) – 4. The Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering Dharma Wheel: Roof decoration on Tibetan temple; the wheel represents reincarnation and the Eightfold Path

Buddhism: Teachings cont. • The Eightfold Path Mudra (or symbolic hand gesture) symbolizing the Eightfold Path – 1. Right view or understanding: of nature and the path of transformation – 2. Right thought or attitude: acting from love and compassion – 3. Right speech: clear, truthful, uplifting and non-harmful speech

Buddhism: Teachings cont. • The Eightfold Path – 4. Right action: following the Five Precepts – 5. Right livelihood: based on the principal of non-exploitation – 6. Right effort: conscious evolution – 7. Right mindfulness: awareness of all things – 8. Samadhi: onepointed-ness of mind, enlightenment “Buddha with Attendants” Korea, 16 -17 th Century

Buddhism: Teachings cont. • The Five Precepts – Do not take the life of anything living – Do not take anything not freely given – Abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence – Refrain from untrue speech – Avoid intoxication, that is, losing mindfulness

Vocab. words • Atman: The innermost essence of the individual (soul) • Nirvana: The state of perfect insight, eternal rest, and ultimate truth • Samara: The opposite of Nirvana- the indefinitely repeated cycle of birth, misery, and death. • Brahmins: The highest Hindu caste. Brahmins inherit their caste position and their occupation as priests. Siddhartha was born and raised a Brahmin. • Om: “The word of words” A verbal spell or ritual incantation used in meditative contemplation.

Buddhism: Influence • Where Confucianism and Daoism focused on life on earth, Buddhism offered an afterlife • Buddhist monasteries and temples became centers of village life Young monks-intraining in Cambodia. Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.

Appeal: Confucianism and Daoism dealt with life on Earth. Buddhism was a religion that offered an escape from the suffering of an earthly life. The Chinese could accept diverse ideas, As a result, many Chinese followed Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian beliefs at the same time.

Review Buddhism Confucianism Daoism

Question. . Do you think it is possible to follow Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism simultaneously?

Religious Patterns in Asia • East Asia (China, Korea & • Southeast Asia (Thailand, Japan) Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. ) – Early times: Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism – Contemporary times: Maoist Communism, Daoism and Buddhism – Contemporary Times: Hinduism and Christianity in smaller numbers; Buddhism and Islam in larger numbers

Dynasty Dates Shang 1700 s-1122 BCE Zhou 1122 -221 BCE Qin 221 -206 BCE Han 206 BCE- 220 CE Sui 581 -618 CE Tang 618 -907 CE Song 960 -1279 CE Yuan 1279 -1368 CE Ming 1368 -1644 CE Qing 1644 - 1911 CE