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The Chinese Religious Tradition

The Chinese Religious Tradition. World Religions Fr. Llane Briese. Overview of the History. Back to ABBA: What is Religion? Religion in the Mediterranean World Religion in India Religion in China Three Roots in China: Chinese Folk Religions (i.e. Ancestor Cult) Confucianism (ethics)

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The Chinese Religious Tradition

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  1. The Chinese Religious Tradition World Religions Fr. Llane Briese

  2. Overview of the History • Back to ABBA: What is Religion? • Religion in the Mediterranean World • Religion in India • Religion in China • Three Roots in China: • Chinese Folk Religions (i.e. Ancestor Cult) • Confucianism (ethics) • Taoism (philosophy of the universe) • Buddhism (philosophy of nature)

  3. Philosophy and Religion • Philosophy: “The love of wisdom” • Ontology / Metaphysics • Epistemology • Ethics • Anthropology • Natural Theology • Religion: The Search for ABBA (the sacred) • Can overlap with philosophy • Theology: Deals with Divine Revelation

  4. Fr. Adolfo NicolasSuperior General of the Society of Jesus Courtesy: The Jesuit Curia of Rome (www.sjweb.info)

  5. Section One The history

  6. Historical Overview • The history of the Chinese religions can be summarized by the four seasons: • Spring (Prehistory–206 B.C.) • Summer (206 B.C.– ca. 900 A.D.) • Autumn (900–1912) • Winter (20th century–Present) • Eclecticism in China • Religion, Philosophy, and Culture

  7. Spring: Prehistory–206 B.C. • Shang Dynasty (1766–1123 B.C.) • Folk Religion: • Archaeological Evidence: Belief of an afterlife mirroring earthly life. • Ancestor Veneration (NOT worship): Mediation • Importance of Patrilineage (tsu): headship on eldest son • Highest Deity: Ti (singular or plural?) • Divination/Astrology: Messages from beyond; reading signs from omens or nature to acquire supernatural knowledge.

  8. Spring: Prehistory–206 B.C. • Chou Dynasty (1122-256) • Folk Religion: • T’ien: “Heaven” • Royal ancestors = intermediaries to bestow good fortune on earth. • Mandate of Heaven: A right granted to kings to represent Heaven on Earth. • Political Corruption making China ripe for religious reform.

  9. Spring: Prehistory–206 B.C. • Confucianism: Based on the teachings of K’ung Fu-tzu who wrote the Analects. • Confucius: An accidental teacher (551–479 B.C.) • Legacy: • Central doctrine: jen(being a real gentleman) • Work ethic and family loyalty • Learning: Building both knowledge and character • Contrast from the origins of Buddhism and Christianity.

  10. Spring: Prehistory–206 B.C. • Meng-tzo (ca. 371–289 B.C.): Human nature = good. Taught that evil would take over if humans did not cultivate their inherent goodness. • Hsun-tzu (298–230 B.C.): Human nature = evil (would lead to legalism). Morality required in order to temper one’s evilness and become good.

  11. Spring: Prehistory–206 B.C. • Taoism: • Lao-tzu: Articulated the central principles in Tao-teChing(The Way and Its Power) • Yin and Yang: Cosmological harmony and complementarity. • 2 Forms (not mutually exclusive): • Tao-chia:More philosophical • Tao-chiao:More religious • What kind of person should I be? • Goal: To live the balance between yin and yang.

  12. Summer: 206 B.C.–ca. 900 A.D.

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