Transcript Section III - Barrington 220

Section III:
Religions and Beliefs in Ancient China
(Pages 85-89)
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This section is about:
The main ideas of
Confucianism, Daoism,
Legalism, and Buddhism.
How these ideas
influenced the cultural,
social order, government,
and religion of ancient
China.
Confucianism
Daoism
Legalism
These three Chinese
religions have some
similarities and some
differences
A remarkable philosopher appeared
during the Zhou Dynasty
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His Chinese name: Kong Qiu
His western name: Confucius
Even as a child, he worked
hard at his education.
As he grew older, he became
worried about the conditions in
China.
He went looking for a king who
knew about good government.
But: all he found were
government people who were
greedy and dishonest (all they
cared about was themselves).
He tried to change the way
people behaved.
(born in 551 BC)
Confucius was a philosopher who……
(Person who thinks about the meanings of things)
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… was an honest man of great
learning
He felt the early Zhou rulers
were good and had run the
country with harmony and
responsibility.
He believed:
A ruler should lead by good
example.
People had an obligation to
obey those who were superior.
But those who were superior
should treat others fairly.
Every man should try to be a
gentleman (educated, good
manners, and understood
ritual and ceremony, and what
is moral).
Confucius had 5 relationships
which ruled society:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Between
Between
brother.
Between
Between
Between
father and son.
older and younger
husband and wife
ruler and subject.
friend and friend.
As long as these
relationships were in
harmony, society would be
in harmony.
One of his important rules:
“What you do not wish for
yourself, do not unto
others.”
Confucius was a great and inspiring teacher
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Even though we don’t know if
what he said/did was written
down, many scholars (bright
students) learned a lot from
him.
Later, they did record his
beliefs and teachings – called
the Analects.
Later on – the Analects were
considered “sacred” with
students studying and
memorizing his sayings.
Men trained in his beliefs
ended up becoming leaders.
They even set up schools to
learn the teachings of
Confucius.
By the third century BC:
A new set of beliefs came along: (Daoism or Taoism)
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Confucianism: order,
ritual, working hard to
make the government
efficient
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Daoism: Rulers
should do as little as
possible and leave
everyone alone.
The Laozi
(The Classic of the Way and It’s Power)
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Contains the beliefs of Daoism.
The Dao is the energy that
controls all of the events in the
universe.
The natural order depends on
the interaction of yin and
yang.
Yin: negative force / dark and
weak.
Yang: positive, bright, and
strong.
These need to work together
to keep balance in the universe
– even if that means spending
all your time meditating on
nature and forgetting about
worldly matters.
Daoism influenced all the countries around China
(Japan, Korea, and alter even Europe and North America)
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Daoism stresses
immortality (living
forever).
It’s emphasis on
nature inspired writers,
artists, and architects.
The science of the
religion also allowed
Daoists to study
astronomy, medicine,
and personal hygiene.
Legalism and
Buddhism
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Xunzi was a student of
Confucius, but had different
beliefs about nature and
government.
He believed laws could inspire
people to use good behavior.
His ideas were called Legalism
because they were based on
laws (with strict laws and
harsh punishments for doing
wrong).
He believed people were like
little children who couldn’t be
trusted – so they need rules
and laws.
Legalism and the Qin
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During this period, the
Legalists created a strong
government.
Land was divided up into
states – all run by the
government.
People could not travel
without permits.
They were heavily taxed.
They were required to work
on government projects for no
pay.
Families were grouped
together and everyone was
responsible for any crimes
committed by its members.
Buddhism ended up spreading to China
because of the trade along the Silk Road.
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People didn’t follow it at
first (it was a foreign
religion), but started liking
that…
…it promised freedom from
suffering.
Buddhist temples started
being built.
People started giving them
lots of money.
They believed this
generosity would give them
good Karma and good
fortune in their next life.
Confucianists and Daoists
didn’t like Buddhists
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They didn’t agree with
Buddhist ideas of
cremation.
They believed it was
wrong for monks to not
get married and have
children.
Buddhist monks paid no
taxes.
But all three religions
ended up lasting and are
even still around today.