Transcript Religion and Thought in China`s Golden Age

Religion and Thought in China’s
Golden Age
Chapter 10 Section 2
Ms. Holbrook Quesada
Period 1
Daoism
• Ancient Chinese philosophy
• Means way of nature
• Daoism had priests, temples, and
monasteries, as well as its own ideas about
heaven
• Started as a philosophy, but then became a
religion for its followers
Buddhism
Buddhism in China
• Based on the religion teachings of Siddartha
Gautama(sihd DAHR tuh GOW tuh mih).
• Also known as the Buddha.
• Those who achieve enlightenment enter
nirvana(nir VAH nuh).
• Those who enter nirvana also escape an
endless cycle of suffering, death, and rebirth.
Buddhism
Buddhism in China (continued)
• Buddhism gained strength in the troubled
times between the Han and Tang dynasties.
• It adapted to Chinese culture and absorbed
elements of Daoism.
• The two most important schools of Buddhist
thought in China were the Pure Land and Chan
schools.
Buddhism
Opposition to Buddhism
• Buddhist temples and monasteries grew rich and
the Tang rulers generally accepted Buddhism.
• Many Chinese criticized Buddhism as an alien
religion with no roots in Chinese culture.
• They also were opposed to the withdrawal from
the world.
• At times, criticism led to violent persecution.
• The worst attacks came during the reign of
emperor Wuzong (woo dzuhng).
Confucianism
Confucian Thought
• Much of the opposition to Buddhism came
from the followers of Confucianism.
• It was the main belief in China before the
arrival of Buddhism.
• The philosophy was to restore peace and
stability in China.
• It was based on respect for family and social
order.
Confucianism
Neo-Confucianism
• A revived form of Confucian thought
influenced by Buddhism and Daoism.
• The ideas of Neo-Confucianists had a great
influence on China from the Song period
onward.
• A scholar official named Zhu Xi (juh shee) was
the most famous Neo-Confucian thinker.
Vocab
• Nirvana- a state of complete peace
• Wuzong- devoted Daoist who hated the sight
of Buddhist monks
• Zhu Xi- most famous Neo-Confuican thinker
Questions
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1. Confucianism is a system of __________ based on the teachings of a great Chinese teacher and
philosopher.
worship
beliefs
morals and ethics
Meditation
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2. Buddhism teaches that the way to ease suffering is to
share one's wealth with those who are less fortunate.
give up worldly desires and seek enlightenment.
gain virtue through education.
devote oneself to charitable causes.
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3. The most famous Neo-Confucian thinker was
Amitabha.
Bodhidharma.
Huineng.
Zhu Xi.
Questions (Continued)
• 4. Confucian principles had all of the following effects on Chinese
society EXCEPT they
• created a peaceful and stable society.
• encouraged obedience to people of a higher rank.
• produced rulers who justified their actions in terms of people's well
being.
• encouraged people to withdraw from the world.
• 5. By the Tang period, __________ had changed from an ancient
Chinese philosophy into a religion.
• Daoism
• Buddhism
• Confucianism
• Neo-Confucianism
Answers:
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1. C
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. A