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 KnowReincarnation = 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.)

Dharma =The body of teachings expounded by the Buddha

Nirvana = a state of perfect peace, desiring nothing

Karma =seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation

Buddhism - Foundings

A: Monks brought his ideas to China around 200 AD using the Silk Road

Q: Buddhism was founded in India. How did it get from India to China?

Goal of Buddhist Monks = Bring everyone to enlightenment

Buddha’s Teachings: The Four Noble Truths

How do they support each other?

#1. Life is suffering and pain

#2. Suffering and pain are caused by desire for wealth, pleasure, fame, and power.

#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 good Buddhist:

1. Morally excellent conduct

2. Compassion for all living things

3. Calmness and purity of mind.

My pain and suffering will be over when I quit running!

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 or Lao Zi (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: BackgroundConfucianism 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.”

Quote #8

“Deal with difficult tasks while they are easy. Act on large issues while they are small.”

Quote #9

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned.”

Quote #10

“No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.”

Quote #11

“He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.”

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.”

Quote #8

“Deal with difficult tasks while they are easy. Act on large issues while they are small.”

Confucius

Quote #9

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned.”

Buddha

Quote #10

“No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.”

Confucius

Quote #11

“He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.”

Buddha

Buddhism

Confucianism

Daoism Christianity

Belief in God?

Yes

Belief in Buddha

Is it a religion? Yes

More like a philosophy

Yes, and a philosophy

Not taught Belief in

many Gods

Yes, one God

Holy book?

Yes, Tao Te Ching

Yes, Bible Yes, the Dharma

No, but his writ-ings are called Five Classics

Focus? Four Noble Truths

Middle Way Creating a moral society

Simple life close to nature

God; Teachings of Jesus Christ

How many today?

Over 2 billion350 million Over 5 million About 2 million

Life after death? Not on Earth No Yes,

reincarnation Yes, reincarnation