Transcript 7th, China, Three Religious Faiths

The Three Belief Systems of China
Buddhism
Daoism
Confucianism
Buddhism: Background
Buddhism is one of the major religions of the
world today. It was founded in India around
500 B.C. by Siddartha Gautama, aka “The
Buddha.” At various times, Buddhism has been a
dominant religious, cultural, and social force in
most of Asia. In each area, Buddhism has
combined with elements of other religions, such as
Hinduism and Shinto. Today, Buddhism has about
350 million followers. Most live in Sri Lanka, the
mainland nations of Southeast Asia, and Japan.
Buddhism Terms to Know
Reincarnation = Idea that when a person
dies, their soul is reborn in a new body.
Importance: your soul never dies.
Siddartha Gautama = Buddha’s real name,
(563-483 B.C.)
Nirvana = a state of perfect peace, desiring
nothing
Buddhism - Foundings
Q: Buddhism was founded
in India. How did it get
from India to China?
A: Monks brought his
ideas to China around
200 AD using the Silk
Road
Goal of Buddhist Monks
= Bring everyone to
enlightenment
Buddha’s Teachings: The Four Noble Truths
#1. Life is suffering and pain
#2. Suffering and pain are
caused by desire for wealth,
pleasure, fame, and power.
How do they
support each
other?
#3. End suffering by
overcoming desire.
#4. To overcome desire, one must
follow the “8 Fold Path” (Middle
Way)...
…The Middle Way – How to be a
My pain and
good Buddhist:
suffering will
1. Morally excellent
conduct
be over when I
quit running!
2. Compassion for all
living things
3. Calmness and
purity of mind.
Daoism (aka Taoism)
Daoism: Background
The word dao (also spelled tao) originally
meant road or way. The Dao (Way)
represents the characteristics or behavior
that makes each thing in the universe what
it is. The word is also used to mean reality
as a whole, which consists of all the
individual "ways."
Daoism – Terms to Know
Dao = a force connected to nature that
cannot be defined, only experienced and
felt. Say What??
Goal of Life = Achieve the Dao
Lao-Tzu (606-530 B.C.) = Founder of
Daoism. Wrote the holy book “Tao Te
Ching”
Daoism Teaches:
Humans should see themselves as part of
nature
Live simply and live in harmony
Don’t believe in strong government
Achieve happiness by leading a balanced
life with nature, not by following societal
rules and laws.
And of course, the famous Yin and
Yang…
Yin and Yang:
Provides an explanation on how the
universe is balanced
Yin = black, feminine, mysterious, negative
Yang = white or red, masculine, warm,
positive
Both contain a little bit of the other
How a Daoist might discover nature:
Sit by a river, feel a breeze, and
observe a drifting cloud.
Nothing in nature strives for
fame, power, or knowledge.
The river, the breeze, and the
stream move without effort
because they follow the Dao.
Dao—the way of nature that
guides all things.
Confucianism
Confucianism: Background
Confucianism is a philosophy based on the ideas
of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. From the
100's B.C. to the A.D. 1900's, Confucianism was
the most important single force in Chinese life. It
influenced Chinese education, government, and
personal behavior and the individual's duty to
society.
Many people consider Confucianism a religion.
But Confucianism has no clergy and does not
teach about God, or the existence of an afterlife.
Confucianism can more accurately be considered a
guide to morality and good government.
Confucianism - Terms to know
Confucius = Founder (551-479 B.C.)
“Golden Rule” = “What you do not wish
for yourself, do not do to others”
Main beliefs = respect for elders,
education, commitment to government
service
Confucius’ 5 Most Important
Relationships…
1. Ruler and subject
2. Parent and child
3. Husband and wife
4. Sibling and sibling
5. Friend and friend
Relationships have to be: loyal, courteous, honest,
faithful, and respectful to authority.
How are these relationships important for
maintaining a society?
Quote #1
“The highest purpose
is like water. Because
water excels in
benefiting the myriad
(numerous) creatures
without contending
(having conflict) with
them.
Quote #2
Seeing that our body,
with hair and skin, is
derived from our
parents, we should not
allow it to be injured
in any way. We
develop our own
character and practice
so as to perpetuate our
name for future
generations and to
bring honor to our
parents.”
Quote #3
“The more laws and
edicts (official rules)
are imposed, the more
thieves and bandits
there will be.”
Quote #4
“Like a spider caught
in its own web, so is a
person driven by
fierce pleasures.
Break out of the web,
and turn away from
the world of fame and
sorrow.”
Quote #5
Be respectful at home,
serious at work, and
supportive in
government. Even as
you go to unknown
areas, these virtues
(good qualities) are
not to be abandoned.”
Quote #6
“Life is a journey,
death is a return to the
earth, the universe is
like an inn, the passing
years are like dust.”
Quote #7
“If a ruler himself is
upright (honest) all
will go well without
orders. But if he
himself is not upright,
even though he gives
orders, they will not
be obeyed.”
Ready for the
answers?
Quote #1
“The highest purpose
is like water. Because
water excels in
benefiting the myriad
(numerous) creatures
without contending
(having conflict) with
them.
Quote #2
Seeing that our body,
with hair and skin, is
derived from our
parents, we should not
allow it to be injured
in any way. We
develop our own
character and practice
so as to perpetuate our
name for future
generations and to
bring honor to our
parents.”
Quote #3
“The more laws and
edicts (official rules)
are imposed, the more
thieves and bandits
there will be.”
Quote #4
“Like a spider caught
in its own web, so is a
person driven by
fierce pleasures.
Break out of the web,
and turn away from
the world of fame and
sorrow.”
Quote #5
Be respectful at home,
serious at work, and
supportive in
government. Even as
you go to unknown
areas, these virtues
(good qualities) are
not to be abandoned.”
Quote #6
“Life is a journey,
death is a return to the
earth, the universe is
like an inn, the passing
years are like dust.”
Quote #7
“If a ruler himself is
upright (honest) all
will go well without
orders. But if he
himself is not upright,
even though he gives
orders, they will not
be obeyed.”
Buddhism
Is it a
religion?
Belief in
God?
Holy
book?
Focus?
Yes
Belief in
Buddha
Confucianism
More like a
philosophy
Not taught
No, but his writings are called
Five Classics
Four Noble Truths Creating a
Middle Way
moral society
Yes, the
Dharma
How many
today?
350 million
Life after
death?
Yes,
reincarnation
Over 5 million
No
Daoism
Yes, and a
philosophy
Christianity
Yes
Belief in
many
Gods
Yes, one
God
Yes, Tao Te
Ching
Yes, Bible
Simple life
close to nature
God; Teachings
of Jesus Christ
About 2 million
Over 2 billion
Yes,
reincarnation
Not on Earth