Religions of East Asia

1. Religions of East Asia

2. Ancient Chinese Religion • Chinese civilization began along the Yellow River in 4000 BCE -Earth-God is oldest religious symbol represented by stones or mounds -Burial and Ancestrism-worship of ancestors, very important -very ornate burials for kings • Concept of Tian or “Heaven” as the moderator of the universe. Not directly worshipped. • Sun, moon, stars, and ancestors were worshipped through offerings

4. Cont. • Divination of “Oracle bones” -kings would ask their ancestors questions, answers would be determined by cracks in a tortoiseshell when it was heated over fire • Ancient Chinese religion emphasized unity and harmony of all things in the universe

5. The Dao-Foundation of Confucianism and Daoism • Dao (Tao) Translated as “the way” • Knowing, living, and constructing a society that exemplifies the Dao is the central theme of many Asian religions • Dao can be expressed in nature, human society, and one’s inner being

6. The Age of Confucius

7. Age of Change • Zhou Dynasty was coming to an end, the capitol had been attacked, emperor reduced to a powerless figurehead • Great thinkers were thinking of ways to put society back together • So many great thinkers emerged that this period was called “The Hundred Schools” • Confucius was one of these thinkers

8. Confucius the Teacher • Kong Fuzi “Confucius”-551 to 479 B.C. • Born to nobility-people of high rank • Ru class-specialized in 6 arts • Father died, raised by his mother • Well-educated, became a teacher

9. 5 basic relationships • 1. Husband and wife • 2. Father and son • 3. Older and younger brother • 4. Friend and Friend • 5. Ruler and subject • 3/5 relationships dealt with family • Chinese highly valued the family unit

10. Rulers and their subjects • Family was the example for how a ruler should treat his subjects • A good ruler was supposed to be like a good father, people should follow his example

11. Confucius and Government • “If the people be led by laws, and uniformity among them be sought by punishments, they will try to escape punishment and have no sense of shame. If they are led by virtue, and uniformity sought among them through the practice of ritual propriety, they will possess a sense of shame and come to you of their own accord.” • What were Confucius’ thoughts on how people should be governed?

12. Confucius and government • Thought government should be based on virtue or goodness, not laws and punishment • Argued that government officials should earn their jobs through education and talent, not through family connections • Do you think that the government should run on virtue, not rules?

13. Confucius and Education • “He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.” • What were Confucius’ view on education?

14. Fundamentals of Confucianism • Confucius’ writings are complied in The Analects • One must be motivated by virtue (ren)-humanity, love, high principle, etc • Jun-zi-superior man who serves society by applying ren • Human nature is innately good, people will be good so long as god examples lead society • Li-rites, proper conduct, ceremonies, or doing things the right way; establishing order

15. A follower of Confucius • 100 yrs after Confucius died, his disciple Mencius began spreading the ideas of Confucius • Mencius thought human nature is good, and is impeded by an evil social environment

16. Han Synthesis • Dong Zhongshu-focused on the interrelationship of all things • Yin-Yang concept • Yang-masculine, day, sky, spring, bright, clear, hard, assertive: symbol is the dragon • Yin-Feminine, night, earth, moisture, autumn, harvest, darrkness, underneath, moon: symbol is the tiger • Neither is better than the other

17. With a partner… • List 3-5 polarities that co-exist • Ex: Day/Night

18. Han Synthesis Cont. • Feng-shui: elaborate art that determines the yin-yang balance within a location

20. Confucian Moral/Social Values • Underlined the Chinese “work ethic” • Promoted diligence, productivity, and importance of family honor

21. Opponents of Confucianism • Not all scholars supported Confucius • Moists-People who followed Mozi, believed in universal love, and equal love for all people • Legalists-thought people had bad nature, strong government with strict punishments would keep order • Daoists-wanted small simple society, people should be in harmony with their feelings and nature

22. Laozi and the Dao De Jing • Laozi “The Old Man” legends surrounding his existence • Wrote the Dao de Jing- “the book of the dao and how to apply its strength” • Supported the relationship of mother and child-weakness could be strengths • Simple living, no elitism

23. Overview Which view do you most agree with?

24. Confucius and Politics • Good ruler establishes harmony in society • Mandate of Heaven-sign that heaven approves of one’s rulership • Under the Han dynasty, Yin was the ruler Yan was the people • Many changes occurred to China’s politics when then opened up to Western Trade • Boxer Rebellion-1900, Chinese wanted to remove foreign powers from China • 1949-Peoples Republic of China (communist regime) Mao Zedong led the Great Cultural Revolution-Mao as an idol, cleansed China of all “old” things

25. China Today • More Chinese are claiming that they are religious adherents (31.4 %) • 66% traditional Chinese • 15% Muslims • 12% Christians

26. Women in Chinese Religion • Confucianism-women were subordinate to men, women were restricted to the home domain Book of Rites: “The woman follows (and obeys) the man; in her youth, she follows her father and elder brother; when married, she follows her husband; when her husband is dead, she follows her son.” -women were not considered as part of an ancestral line until marriage

27. Women in Chinese Religion • In marriage, women represent yin (passive) husband is yang (active) • Arrival of sons increased a woman’s status

28. Chinese women in religion • Daoism-lots of female symbolism • Wu-wei: “going with the flow” aligned to female passivity • Daoism is believed to linked to the concept of an ancient mother goddess and that the dao itself is a female

29. The “Golden Lotus” • Footbinding-began with nobility and then the trend spread all over China • The goal was to mold the feet into perfect “golden lotuses” three inches long and in the shape of the bud of a flower • Women whose feet were bound were highly desired

31. Modern day binding?

32. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2201777n • http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7396762n • http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=692802n

33. Japanese Religion-Shinto • The “way of the gods” the “to” in Shinto is the same as the Chinese “Dao” • Basic Worldview-many gods in the universe (called kami), universe is always growing and changing • 4 basic affirmations 1. Traditions-rites 2. Life in this world-linking the past with the present 3. Purity-shines are pure, ritual washes before entering 4. Festival-colorful celebrations

34. Shinto Worship • 4 Ps • Purification, Presentation, Prayer, and Participation • 80-90% of Japanese adhere to Shinto

35. Think about it… • Fredrich Nietzsche “Out of chaos comes order” How does this quote relate to the chaos surrounding the fall of the Zhou Dynasty?

36. HW: • Become a philosopher! • Make up your own philosophy including your thoughts on human nature, government, and right conduct, and be sure to give your world view a name. • Ex: Rodriguianism As a Rodriguianist, I believe that human nature is evil. People have bad desires, but can learn to control them. The government should help people control them by offering rewards for people who do good things and by punishing people who do bad things. Rulers should be good examples to the citizens. The most important thing in life is to love everyone and nature, and treat everyone with respect. People must remember to be honest, work-hard, and be well-educated.