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Confucianism. Basic Precepts. Confucianism is practiced primarily by followers in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) It is not meant as a means for understanding human destiny.
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Basic Precepts • Confucianism is practiced primarily by followers in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) • It is not meant as a means for understanding human destiny. • Confucianism concern itself with learning to be human. It focuses on ethical standards for behavior, with moral values and principles being emphasized. • It is often practiced by many who claim another faith as their religion. • The basic Confucian question: How must one behave so that all humanity will move towards a happier, healthier existence?
Life and Times of Confucius Lifespan(552 B.C.E-479 B.C.E.) • Born to a family of humble, but respected existence, K’ung Fu-tzu (Master K’ung) spent his early life becoming educated. • As he learned, he spent his time teaching others and traveled his country teaching. • It is from his disciples that his teachings and wisdom have passed through the centuries and that his name has become synonymous with wisdom and moral living. • His life was not particularly monumental. He struggled to have his message heard by influential members of society. • His philosophies were tempered by the political and social issues affecting East Asia during his lifetime, such as war, feudal civil unrest, moral decay and oppression. • Believed harmony and happiness centered around human relationships. Analects • The Analects are the teachings, stories and sayings of Confucius as collected and written by his disciples. • Justice in dealing with enemies. • Believed in the tradition of ancestor worship. • Did not focus on the afterlife. • Was excited about learning and teaching and expected the same from his students.
Elements of Confucianism • Tao: “The Way,” which is universal; what should be followed by everyone • Chun-tzu: Human Ideal or Superior Person • One must give credit to the heavens • Righteousness, humility and sincerity is essential • Acquired through learning (rather than inherited nobility) • Living a virtuous life so as to contribute to society • Respectful, reverent, generous and just • Jen (ruhn): Humaneness (the most supreme of all virtues) • Goodness, love, benevolence • Reciprocity is the one word to guide us
Elements of Confucianism • Li: Ritual etiquette and proper behavior • Behaving properly in a given situation • Great respect for ancient Chinese traditions • Wherever you are in society, you should behave accordingly and with decency • Sincerity and reverence are the most important aspects of ceremony • Wen: Cultural arts and music • Harmony and flow • Proper music for the proper occasion • Poetry and calligraphy • Ensure unity and continuity within society • Appreciation of improves ones moral quality and therefore society • Te: moral example • effective moral leadership • nurturing a society’s moral conscience • refers to lawmaking and government
Harmony in Relationships Confucius believed that there are relationships that all human beings are involved in at all times. • Self: the core of all human relationships • Determined by one’s social status • Learning and growing in maturity is the process of self-cultivation • Self-reflection and learning are lifelong • As the self is cultivated, society is improved • Family: one’s role in the family is extremely significant • Each member has responsibilities towards the others • Relations between elders and children should be one of respect • Everyone must live up to his/her moral responsibilities towards each other • Deep respect for elders • Ancestor worship is important because the dead can intercede for us.
Harmony in Relationships • Nation: concern for good government • Leaders should be educated and morally righteous. • Leaders should ensure the happiness of its citizens. • Everyone takes an active role in government when they live rightly. • Heaven: least spoken concept in Confucian tradition • Believed humanity must grow in its ability to serve those on earth before it had any hope of serving the spirit world. • Believed Heaven was the authority to be followed. • Heaven guides and nurtures humanity as the ultimate moral force.
Tao Tao means “The Way” or “The Path” • Practiced primarily in East Asia, often in conjunction with Confucianism or Buddhism • More of a philosophy than a religious belief system Lao-Tzu, the “founder” of Taoism • Some believe he is only a mythical character • Believed to have lived around the 6th century B.C.E. and a contemporary of Confucius • Worked for the government and saw the social and political problems of his people • Believed to be the author of Tao’s sacred text, Tao Te Ching (dou day jing) • Philosophical wisdom serves as a foundation for Tao practice • Speaks of heavens and earth differently from the Western concept • Uses paradoxes (“Those with nothing to say speak often.”)
Tao Chuang Tzu (jwahng), the second “founder” of Taoism • Lived about 250 years after Lao-Tzu. • His wisdom is compiled in the second sacred text, which is named for him. Some characteristics of Taoist thought: • It is indefinable. Tao must be experienced. • A power which surrounds and flows through all things. • Sees the need for nature, humans and the universe to be in harmony and balance. • Tao is the cause of the universe; the universe flows from Tao; Tao is immanent. • Tao surrounds everyone and all must listen to it to find enlightenment. • The goal is to become one with Tao.
Virtues and Symbols Yin and Yang • All things have balance • All things have an opposite • Only constant factor in life is change • Yin: the dark side; formed the earth; represents the feminine; calm, passive, introspective; healing; night; Taoism • Yang: the light side; formed the heavens; represents masculinity; energetic, agitation, aggression; day; Confucianism • All things have a combination of these two forces. Their opposition keeps them in balance. • Values are relative to one another. • We know good because we know evil. • Death is also change, though Taoism does not focus on questions of an afterlife.
Virtues and Symbols The Tradition of the Sage • One who has mastered living with Tao and has achieved a state of spiritual perfection. • Living with Tao means living in harmony, unity and simplicity every day. Wu-Wei • Primary virtue; living in harmony with Tao; belief in kindness due to reciprocity. • Three jewels: compassion, moderation, humility • Involves martial arts for many practitioners; noncompetition (judo uses the energy of another) • Paradoxes and opposites (action-less activity, giving up to win) • Cooperation with nature and ‘hands-off’ approach (avoids human interference) • Non-aggression and passivity in daily life: leaving well enough alone.
Shinto Basics • The ancient and native religion of Japan • Shinto has adapted over time. • Incorporates Buddhism, Zen and Taoism as well as other Chinese traditions. • Generates patriotism and respect for the Japanese heritage. • Veneration and love of nature. • Ritual is primary (Shinto is not concerned with doctrine.) • Moral codes adopted from Confucianism . • Warrior traditions: bushido and samurai • Kami: Shinto is translated as “the way of the Kami” • Ancient divine ancestors • Overall, kami refers to anything that can be wondered about or is mysterious- nature, people, animals • Creation myth gives the Japanese people a sense of pride and divine connection • Kami has lead to emperor worship and the belief that the emperor is divine • WWII crushed this belief
Shinto Worship • Ancestor worship: ancestors are part of kami • Former belief of Emperor as “the living God.” • Kamidana: worship in the home • Daily purification through washing • Offerings and objects as signs of divine presence (often food and flowers)
Shinto Worship • Ceremonial worship at Shinto shrines • Original shrines were beautiful natural spots (waterfalls, mountains, etc.) • Leaving the everyday surroundings to be more focused in the presence of the sacred • “Torii” (archway) marks the entrance to a shrine • Ritual washing for purification • Prayers and invocations to the kami are offered • Unity with the kami is the desired end.
Shinto Seasonal Festivals • The Great Purification (celebrated in June and December) • A festival of purification; transfer the impurities of the people. • The festival of the New Year follows the December purification; involves ritual cleaning of the home • Everyone is on vacation and spends time worshiping at shrines and temples. • Shinto also incorporates other religious festivals, such as Christmas and Halloween. • These are often included in Japanese calendars as holidays and special occasions.
The Four Affirmations • Tradition and the family • The family is seen as the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved. Their main celebrations relate to birth and marriage. • Love of nature • Nature is sacred; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the gods. Natural objects are worshipped as sacred spirits. • Physical cleanliness • Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often. • "Matsuri“ • The worship and honor given to the Kami and ancestral spirits. Three main Shinto sects: • Shrine Shinto (nationalism and patriotism) • Sect Shinto (primarily lead by women) • Popular/folk Shinto (less formalized)
