World Population StatisticsWorld Population Statistics

World Population:World Population: 6,500,000,0006,500,000,000 IndiaIndia 1,080,000,000 (17%)1,080,000,000 (17%) ChinaChina 1,300,000,000 1,300,000,000

(20%)(20%) US Population:US Population: 300,000,000 300,000,000

(5%) (5%)

www.census.gov/ipc/www/world.html– Updated 4/26/05Updated 4/26/05

Historical Context of Historical Context of the World Religionsthe World Religions

90,000-10,000 BCE: Ice Ages / 90,000-10,000 BCE: Ice Ages / Migration throughout globeMigration throughout globe– Lowering of the world’s sea Lowering of the world’s sea

levelslevels– Expansion of landExpansion of land– Temporary land bridgesTemporary land bridges

9500 BCE: Ice Age slows9500 BCE: Ice Age slows– Agricultural Revolutions BeganAgricultural Revolutions Began– Fertility GoddessesFertility Goddesses

3500 BCE: Ocean levels 3500 BCE: Ocean levels reached current levelsreached current levels– Start of the age of metals Start of the age of metals

2500 BCE:2500 BCE: Start of Start of UrbanizationUrbanization– four river valley civilizationsfour river valley civilizations

800-300 BCE: Axial Age 800-300 BCE: Axial Age – Spiritual and intellectual Spiritual and intellectual

flourishingflourishing

China’s GeographyChina’s Geography North / West: desert North / West: desert

nomadsnomads– Most times controlled Most times controlled

by Chineseby Chinese– Sometimes nomads Sometimes nomads

took over areas of Chinatook over areas of China East: Yellow & East East: Yellow & East

China SeasChina Seas South: People South: People

absorbed into Chinese absorbed into Chinese civilizationcivilization

Plant & Animal Plant & Animal DomesticationDomestication

7000 – 2700 BCE Yangshao7000 – 2700 BCE Yangshao– ““Painted Pottery”Painted Pottery”– Ban Po: Graves far from villagesBan Po: Graves far from villages

3500-1766 BCE Longshan3500-1766 BCE Longshan– ““Black Pottery”Black Pottery”– Graves under homes or Graves under homes or – Urns cemented into foundation wallsUrns cemented into foundation walls

Shang Dynasty: 1751-1123 Shang Dynasty: 1751-1123 BCEBCE Earliest historical Earliest historical

civilization in Chinacivilization in China Sharp class divisionsSharp class divisions

– Aristocratic, warrior, Aristocratic, warrior, landowning elitelandowning elite

– Peasants, merchants, Peasants, merchants, artisans, slavesartisans, slaves

– Cemeteries separated by classCemeteries separated by class

Divination on shellsDivination on shells– Kings and priests Kings and priests

consulted ancestors consulted ancestors about the futureabout the future

– Relied on supernatural Relied on supernatural reassurance reassurance

Shang Dynasty: 1751-1123 Shang Dynasty: 1751-1123 BCEBCE

Shell and Bone writing Shell and Bone writing – Usu. turtle shells, birds/other Usu. turtle shells, birds/other

animalsanimals– Marked bones placed into a Marked bones placed into a

firefire– Tapped with a rod until Tapped with a rod until

crackedcracked– Cracks interpreted by a Cracks interpreted by a

specialist in predicting the specialist in predicting the futurefuture

Huge tombs with offeringsHuge tombs with offerings

Ritual sacrifices to dynastic Ritual sacrifices to dynastic ancestorsancestors

Shang Dynasty: 1766-1122 Shang Dynasty: 1766-1122 BCEBCE Flood control and Irrigation Flood control and Irrigation

Some speculation about Some speculation about Indo-European MigrationsIndo-European Migrations– Corpses with European Corpses with European

features and European features and European textilestextiles

http://www.bu.edu/asianarc/SUPPORT/archaeology.htm

Shang Dynasty:1766-1122 Shang Dynasty:1766-1122 BCEBCE

Excelled in & best Excelled in & best known for bronze known for bronze workwork– Axes, Knives, SpearsAxes, Knives, Spears– Arrowheads Arrowheads – UtensilsUtensils– Ritual vesselsRitual vessels– SculpturesSculptures

Military Military advantageousadvantageous

Zhou Dynasty: 1122 – 221 Zhou Dynasty: 1122 – 221 BCEBCE

The longest lived dynasty in Chinese history: over 800 yearsThe longest lived dynasty in Chinese history: over 800 years

A Golden AgeA Golden Age

Encouraged new trades and experts in everythingEncouraged new trades and experts in everything– Shang prayers for rain replaced by better irrigationShang prayers for rain replaced by better irrigation– Elaborate ritual practices replaced by simplification of mannersElaborate ritual practices replaced by simplification of manners

Shang Ritual Vessel Chou Ritual Vessel

Zhou Dynasty: 1122 – 221 Zhou Dynasty: 1122 – 221 BCEBCE

Mandate of heaven from early Mandate of heaven from early Chou through 1911Chou through 1911– Heaven as rational and benevolentHeaven as rational and benevolent– Emperor held his place as long as he Emperor held his place as long as he

complied with the will of Heaven (rites complied with the will of Heaven (rites and moral conduct)and moral conduct) Failure meant disaster (flood, famine, Failure meant disaster (flood, famine,

disease) or Heaven’s withdrawl of the disease) or Heaven’s withdrawl of the mandatemandate

Facilitated imperial consolidation Facilitated imperial consolidation under sucessive dynastiesunder sucessive dynasties

Zhou Dynasty: 1122 – 221 Zhou Dynasty: 1122 – 221 BCEBCE

King led a vast, extended familyKing led a vast, extended family Called a feudal monarchyCalled a feudal monarchy

– Appointed relatives or created marital ties to Appointed relatives or created marital ties to aristocratic landownersaristocratic landowners

– Lords had loyalty to Chou ancestral spirits Lords had loyalty to Chou ancestral spirits

Western Chou 1122-770 Western Chou 1122-770 BCEBCE

The lords’ sons were educated in The lords’ sons were educated in the capital for 10 yearsthe capital for 10 years– This was done in the provinces also This was done in the provinces also

for younger sons and lesser nobles for younger sons and lesser nobles The Chou capital was in the The Chou capital was in the

western part of the empirewestern part of the empire In 770, barbarians sacked the In 770, barbarians sacked the

capital, killed the emperor and capital, killed the emperor and ended centralized powerended centralized power

Western Chou 1122-770 Western Chou 1122-770 BCEBCE King WenKing Wen

– Married Shang noblewomanMarried Shang noblewoman– Model of benevolence and wisdomModel of benevolence and wisdom– Allied with other chiefs & barbarians to overthrow ShangAllied with other chiefs & barbarians to overthrow Shang

King Wu (Wen’s son)King Wu (Wen’s son)– His 50,000 troops vs. Shang’s 700,000His 50,000 troops vs. Shang’s 700,000

Strong and Stern ruler, restored orderStrong and Stern ruler, restored order Shang people unhappy, gave up fightShang people unhappy, gave up fight

King Tan (Wu’s brother) / “Duke of Chou”King Tan (Wu’s brother) / “Duke of Chou”– Vision / Laid foundation for long-lived dynastyVision / Laid foundation for long-lived dynasty– Peacefully passed power to King Wu’s son after 7 years of Peacefully passed power to King Wu’s son after 7 years of

rulerule– Tutored Wu’s son to rule effectivelyTutored Wu’s son to rule effectively

Eastern Chou 770-221 BCEEastern Chou 770-221 BCE Chou kings reigned in Chou kings reigned in

name onlyname only

Each feudal lord held his Each feudal lord held his own economic and own economic and military power in his own military power in his own kingdomkingdom

Wars were not fought Wars were not fought violentlyviolently– Diplomacy was studied Diplomacy was studied

and highly valuedand highly valued

– Beginning in 681, Beginning in 681, conferences brought conferences brought together many lords to together many lords to sign a mutual defense sign a mutual defense treatytreaty

Warring States Period 480-221 BCEWarring States Period 480-221 BCE

Technological and Technological and Agricultural Advances led to a Agricultural Advances led to a population boompopulation boom

During 5During 5thth century BCE, wars century BCE, wars became deadly:became deadly:– Kill or be killedKill or be killed

In this environment, In this environment, Confucius and Lao Tzu Confucius and Lao Tzu formulated new religioius and formulated new religioius and ethical systemsethical systems

Confucius (551-479)Confucius (551-479)

Lao Tzu (604 BCE)Lao Tzu (604 BCE)

What is Confucianism?What is Confucianism?

Confucius - one of the world’s greatest Confucius - one of the world’s greatest teachersteachers– shaped culture of Asia for 2000+ yearsshaped culture of Asia for 2000+ years

Cultivate the self, family, community Cultivate the self, family, community and state through relationshipsand state through relationships

Identity through relationshipsIdentity through relationships No private salvation / asceticismNo private salvation / asceticism Education and conduct over noble birthEducation and conduct over noble birth

About ConfuciusAbout Confucius Born in 551 BCE / noble, Born in 551 BCE / noble,

but poorbut poor Father died when he was Father died when he was

33

Sought to offer education Sought to offer education to everyoneto everyone

Education for character Education for character instead of vocationinstead of vocation

Tried political and social Tried political and social reform, but his ideas not reform, but his ideas not taken seriously during his taken seriously during his timetime

A Revival of Older TraditionsA Revival of Older Traditions

Great traditions of the early Chou endedGreat traditions of the early Chou ended– Led to the warring states periodLed to the warring states period

Confucius sought a return to the Early Confucius sought a return to the Early Chou period by:Chou period by:– reviving philosophical texts and reviving philosophical texts and – invoking beliefs about ancestral ritesinvoking beliefs about ancestral rites

The Master said, “I am not the one who The Master said, “I am not the one who was born with knowledge. I am just the was born with knowledge. I am just the one who esteems the old ways and one who esteems the old ways and pursues them zealously.”pursues them zealously.”

AnalectsAnalects 499 Chapters or 499 Chapters or

“books”“books” Books 3-14 are Books 3-14 are

considered the considered the most likely spoken most likely spoken by Confuciusby Confucius

philosophy in philosophy in proverbsproverbs

What is Confucianism for What is Confucianism for the person?the person?

Perfectibility Perfectibility – ““Chun tzu” or superior manChun tzu” or superior man

Men of moral worth deserve to be the Men of moral worth deserve to be the social and political elitesocial and political elite

Determined by character, not heredityDetermined by character, not heredity

What is Confucianism for What is Confucianism for the family?the family?

For the family – filial pietyFor the family – filial piety

The Master said, Behave in such a The Master said, Behave in such a way that your father and mother way that your father and mother have no anxiety about you, except have no anxiety about you, except concerning your health (89)concerning your health (89)

The Five RelationshipsThe Five Relationships

1.1. Parent and ChildParent and Child2.2. Husband and WifeHusband and Wife3.3. Elder sibling and Elder sibling and

Junior siblingJunior sibling4.4. Elder friend and Elder friend and

Junior friendJunior friend5.5. Ruler and SubjectRuler and Subject

Obligations, loyalty and Obligations, loyalty and benefits flow both benefits flow both waysways

What is Confucianism for What is Confucianism for the society?the society?

proper conduct proper conduct “propriety” / rites“propriety” / rites– ““li”li”

““earthly earthly expressions of expressions of natural cosmic natural cosmic order”order”– The way things should The way things should

be donebe done– Right conduct in the 5 Right conduct in the 5

relationshipsrelationships

Examples of “LI”Examples of “LI”

The Master said, A man who is not The Master said, A man who is not Good, what can he have to do with Good, what can he have to do with ritual? A man who is not Good, ritual? A man who is not Good, what can he have to do with what can he have to do with music?music?

He must not sit on a mat that is He must not sit on a mat that is not straight (page 149)not straight (page 149)

What is Confucianism for the What is Confucianism for the society?society?

Feeling humanity toward others and Feeling humanity toward others and respect for oneselfrespect for oneself

““benevolence”, “human-hearted, benevolence”, “human-hearted, ”conscientious” “altruistic””conscientious” “altruistic”

ruler should be the prime exampleruler should be the prime example

““Do not do to others what you would Do not do to others what you would not like done to yourself.”not like done to yourself.”

What is Confucianism for the What is Confucianism for the society?society?

Rectification of Names in Social OrderRectification of Names in Social Order– Names and ranks are regulated Names and ranks are regulated

Scholar-gentlemanScholar-gentleman WarriorWarrior FarmerFarmer ArtistsArtists MerchantMerchant

– Correspondence of words and action Correspondence of words and action – (1 to 1)(1 to 1)– Correspondence of words and reality Correspondence of words and reality – (1 to 1)(1 to 1)

If words are inaccurate, thought and communication cannot If words are inaccurate, thought and communication cannot proceed smoothlyproceed smoothly

The Master said, A gentleman is ashamed to let his The Master said, A gentleman is ashamed to let his words outrun his deeds (187).words outrun his deeds (187).

What is Confucianism for the What is Confucianism for the State?State?

TE:TE: “Power to rule over others” “Power to rule over others” gained by moral example that gained by moral example that inspires others to followinspires others to follow

The Master said, To demand much The Master said, To demand much from oneself and little from others is from oneself and little from others is the way (for a ruler) to banish the way (for a ruler) to banish discontent (196)discontent (196)

TAOISMTAOISM

Yin / YangYin / Yang

All things and events have two All things and events have two elements:elements:– YIN:YIN: dark, passive, destructive, female dark, passive, destructive, female– YANG:YANG: bright, active, constructive, male bright, active, constructive, male

Relationship between the two called TaoRelationship between the two called Tao

Harmony and balance amidst constant Harmony and balance amidst constant transformationtransformation

Philosophical TaoismPhilosophical Taoism

Tao as the origin of all thingsTao as the origin of all things– Beyond languageBeyond language– One can experience the unity of all One can experience the unity of all

thingsthings

Harmonize with the natural flow: be Harmonize with the natural flow: be receptive and quietreceptive and quiet– Accept and cooperate with things as Accept and cooperate with things as

they arethey are– Have a simple and contemplative lifeHave a simple and contemplative life– Find balance and harmony in natureFind balance and harmony in nature

Wu WeiWu Wei

• Don’t go against the flow

• Don’t interrupt the flow of nature with ego• Flowing water became a metaphor for a Taoist way of life Water is the softest thing on earth, Yet its silken gentleness will easily wear away the hardest stone. Everyone knows this; few use it in their daily lives. Those of Tao yield and overcome(Chapter 78)

Chuang-tzu (Zhuangzi)Chuang-tzu (Zhuangzi)

365-290 BCE365-290 BCE

Detach oneself from the chaos of Detach oneself from the chaos of societysociety

Spiritual life = being in accord with Spiritual life = being in accord with naturenature

Three Meanings of TaoThree Meanings of Tao• ““Tao” is a Chinese word (concept) that Tao” is a Chinese word (concept) that

refers to three ideasrefers to three ideas

1.1. Ultimate RealityUltimate Reality: Source and transcendent ground : Source and transcendent ground of all beingof all being

• Cannot be fully known or conceived; too vast for the rational mind to Cannot be fully known or conceived; too vast for the rational mind to grasp grasp

2.2. Ordering Principle and Power in NatureOrdering Principle and Power in Nature““Chi” is the power of the Tao flowing through the human body, Chi” is the power of the Tao flowing through the human body,

nature and the environmentnature and the environment

3.3. Way of Human LifeWay of Human Life Tao is our original natureTao is our original nature Though the world and ourselves are naturally in harmony, we Though the world and ourselves are naturally in harmony, we

can get out of balancecan get out of balance

Health and Healing TaoismHealth and Healing Taoism

Increase chi or remove blocks to its flow Increase chi or remove blocks to its flow within the body or environmentwithin the body or environment

Develop physical and spiritual strength Develop physical and spiritual strength togethertogether

Tai Chi / Qi Gong / Acupuncture / Taoist Tai Chi / Qi Gong / Acupuncture / Taoist MeditationMeditation

Ancestral Veneration TraditionAncestral Veneration Tradition

Spirits of deceased ancestors remain closely bonded to living Spirits of deceased ancestors remain closely bonded to living descendantsdescendants

Respect must be paid to founding ancestor and those recently Respect must be paid to founding ancestor and those recently deceaseddeceased– FuneralsFunerals– Mourning ritesMourning rites– Continued offeringsContinued offerings

Ancestors will help descendants if treated with proper respectAncestors will help descendants if treated with proper respect

Ancestors may cause trouble if ignoredAncestors may cause trouble if ignored– Family altar / tombsFamily altar / tombs– Grave-cleaning in AprilGrave-cleaning in April– Universal Liberation and feeding of hungry ghosts in AugustUniversal Liberation and feeding of hungry ghosts in August