Confucianism and DaoismBy: Brittany Cole

& Emily Harris

Confucianism’s Origins and Beliefs

Confucius was a Chinese philosopher who lived from 551-479 B.C. who wished to be an advisor to a noble

Confucius taught and emphasized the importance of “correct behaviors”, an art known as li

He traveled from region to region with a small group of students, his disciples Brittany Cole

Confucian Beliefs

Confucianism is an ethnic religion because it focuses primarily on works

Confucius believed that any perception about the after life was beyond human comprehension

Confucius also rejected the idea of “sin” but viewed mistakes as an opportunity to do better the next time

Their ultimate goal is to be perfect and moral

Brittany Cole

Confucian Holy Books and Writings

Confucius actually did not write anything The "Five Classics" of Chinese literature

are attributed to him as writer. The "Analects" is a collection of aphorisms

put together by Confucius's students after his death.

The "Liji," or "Record of Rites," also contains dialogs, discourses, anecdotes, and narratives about Confucius and his teachings.

Brittany Cole

Confucian Traditions and Rituals

Confucius believed that ordinary life was a sacred time because he could not comprehend an external reality.

He also believed that each day should be a ritual (wake up at the same time, eat at the same times, etc.) so that the day would be more sacred.

He also theorized that rituals united large groups of people and made a stronger community.

Brittany Cole

Confucianism’s Other Aspects

Essentially, Confucius simply left most questions unanswered, making a very undefined religion.

He ultimately believed that he should try to be good, and that he did not and could not know anything beyond that.

Morals are surprisingly undefined

Worship› No definite means of

worship other than living a good life

Holy Days› Each day is an

opportunity to be better

Holy Places› None on earth

Brittany Cole

Confucianism Symbol

Only definite symbol associated with Confucianism

Means “scholar” in Chinese

Also associated with to “yin” of yin-yang

Brittany Cole

Daoism’s Origins and Beliefs

Founder is believed to be Lao-Tse who is rumored to have lived from 604-531 BCE.

Many historians argue that he could be mythical, or mixture of many different political leaders

Searching for a way to avoid constant warfare and feuding during his lifetime

Started as a combination of psycology and philosophy

Emily Harris

Daoist Belief Believe in the Tao, the first-cause of the universe There is no god that they worship or pray to, try to achieve

answers through meditation and observartion Believe in small spirits/deities, but they aren’t personified Promote health and vitality Must nuture Ch’i (air/breath) that has been given to them Be kind and virtuous to others, but are also looking for the

behavior to be reciprocated Plan in advance and think through each decision carefully Follow “wu wei,” letting nature take it’s course Believe people are naturally kind and compassionate Five main organs of the body correspond to the five parts

of the sky: water, fire, wood, metal and earth.

Ultimate goal is to harmonize oneself with the TaoEmily Harris

Daoist Holy Books and Writings

Tao te Ching-The Book of the Way. Said to have been written directly by Lao Tzu

Emily Harris

Daoist Traditions, Rituals, and Practices

Tai Chi-believed to balance energy flow and improve the function of the organs, nerves, and bloodstream

Emily Harris

Yin Yang

Emily Harris

• Represents balance of opposites in the universe

• When it is in balance, all is calm. If not, things are in chaos.

• Swirling shapes represent change, believed to be the only constant in the universe

• Humans upset the balance of Yin Yang• Yin corresponds to night and is darker,

feminine, passive, and more downward-seeking

• Yang corresponds to day and is brighter, masculine, active, and more upward-seeking

• Nothing can be fully black or white, that is why there is a dot of the opposite color in each swirling shape.

Sources

http://www.patheos.com/Library/Confucianism.html

all-famous-quotes.com www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/

religion/confucianism/ http://www.religioustolerance.org/taois

m.htm http://www.ishwar.com/taoism/