Chinese Society and Thought

1. Chinese Society and Thought The Social Structure and Beliefs of the Ancient Chinese

2. Family Structure of the Chinese • The traditional Chinese family structure is MULTI-GENERATIONAL. • Here, many generations will reside under one roof. • Grandparents, parents, and grandchildren along with aunts, uncles and cousins could be found in one family compound. • This structure made sense since the elders tended to the younger generations, teaching them the language, culture and customs of the Chinese. • Large multi-generational families also were common as China was agrarian in nature. The larger the family, the more working hands were available. • This multi-generational family was also considered an EXTENDED family. • The family unit was all important. The family name was one that was honored and revered. Pride and integrity were two important traits. All family members were expected to live up to the family name. • Individualism was NOT strongly valued. Individuals were expected to serve the older generation and carry on the family name with children.

3. Family Structure (Cont’d) • Since the individual was not valued, the Chinese believed in certain practices which may be frowned upon. • Arranged marriages were common. Fortune, prestige and respect were more important than love. Families would decide future husbands or wives for their children. • Dowries were paid out to the husband’s family as the bride was viewed as a burden. The dowry ensured that the bride was well-received by her new family. • Women had very little power in the traditional Chinese society. • Women were expected to serve their parents until marriage. Then, the women turn their attention to their husbands. After their husbands, they were to tend to their children. • From birth to their death, women were always placed in the position of caretaker or household worker.

4. Religion of the Ancient Chinese • The Chinese considered themselves inhabitants of the “Middle Kingdom.” • This was located directly under the Heavens. Spirits were assumed to be surrounding them at all times. • This belief leads to spirit worship. • The Chinese believed that Heaven was the home of the spirits of the sun, moon, stars, and storms. • On Earth, spirits lived in the hills, rivers, rocks ,and seas. • Spirits of ancestors were also believed to be watching, granting rewards or punishments as they saw fit. • Spirits were good or bad. Dragons could bring rain or safe travel. Demons, which were bad spirits, haunted dark and lonely places. • Spirits could be attracted or repelled. • Incense, offerings and lights could bring good spirits to the home. • Fireworks, images and loud noises (fireworks) could scare off evil spirits.

5. Han Fei vs. Mo-zi • Han Fei was a teacher who influenced Chinese society after the Warring States period. • Felt that “the nature of man is evil.” • The only way to move them to “goodness” was to have firm rules to help create order. • This was later called “LEGALISM.” • Here this system was based on Rewards and Punishments. • Strength was the key trait for an emperor. • Fear was used to maintain control. • Mo-zi was a government official who had seen the corruption and wickedness that were part of the Warring States period. • Mo-zi believed that order could be maintained not through force but through love. • Mo-zi felt that if ALL of the people were working towards a common goal, they would learn to love each other. • He claimed that through common goals and love, the will of Heaven would be carried out.

6. The Origins of Confucius • Confucius was born in the small Chinese state of Lu in 551 B.C. and was a familiar of the Buddha from India. • Confucius was born to a poor but respected family, but was able to secure himself a good education, studying poetry and history. • Confucius, in his youth, had a job as a tax collector where he saw political corruption, dishonesty and waste. • He decided that all of the anarchy was caused by the fact that the Chinese had abandoned the values and virtues of their ancestors. • Chinese society needed to return to the traditional values to reclaim order. • Confucius decides that he needs to spread the word about the need to reclaim order and opens schools to teach his principles.

7. The Teachings of Confucius • Confucius wanted to spread the word about his beliefs. The need to regain order and control. He was pushing a return to traditional values. • His teachings did not focus on religion, Gods, or the afterlife. • His focus was on ethical and moral questions. • He wanted mankind to ask the right and wrong about the world at large. • The goal for men was to become a “JUNZI.” This term translates to “TRUE GENTLEMAN.” • Confucius claims that “A gentleman takes as much trouble to discover what is right, as lesser men take to discover what will pay.” • This passage tells that a true man seeks moral right versus material gain and wealth. • His teachings were written down into a compilation known as the ANALECTS.

8. The Teachings of Confucius (cont’d) • Confucius later travelled for 13 years trying to influence rulers to follow his teachings. • Confucius was opposed to the Legalist system that was popular among rulers in China. • Not many rulers followed his urgings, he later died in Lu around 479 B.C.. • The 5 Key Relationships were the foundation of Confucianist thought. • 1st Relationship: RULER and SUBJECT. • 2nd Relationship: FATHER and SON • 3rd Relationship: HUSBAND and WIFE • 4th Relationship: OLDER BROTHER and YOUNGER BROTHER • 5th Relationship: OLDER FRIEND and YOUNGER FRIEND

9. Daoism • Daoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy that emphasizes a simple and natural life. • The Legend of Laozi. • The founder of Daoism was a scholar named Laozi, which means “Old Master.” • He was a worker of the Zhou Dynasty who grew tired of the corruption and dishonesty and resigned his position with the emperor. • He leaves China for Tibet on the back of a water buffalo. There, he runs into an old acquaintance at a border gatehouse. • The old friend tries to persuade him to return to China and asks him to write down all of his beliefs. • 3 days later, Laozi completes the Tao Te Ching, also known as the “The Way and the Power.” • He then rides off NEVER to return or be found.

10. Daoism • Historians cannot prove this legend nor can they prove that Laozi really existed. The Tao Te Ching most likely was written by many people. • This book was comprised mostly of poems which are considered puzzling, but here is the reason why people are drawn to this philosophy/religion. • The verses are open to interpretation and allow for individuals to seek wisdom and quiet beauty. • Daoism focuses on the close ties to nature and the struggle for balance within nature. • Yin/Yang represent the two opposing forces that are work within the universe. The struggle for balance will one day lead to harmony. • Daoism wants people to follow “the way of nature.” • If you follow the Dao, all would be well in the world. Love, peace and harmony would thrive and there would be no war.

11. Buddhism in China • Another religion begins to spread through China. • Missionaries from nearby India brought Buddhism to China in the 1st Century A.D. • These priests were the followers of the MAHAYANA, or “BIG RAFT” school of Buddhism. • This branch of Buddhism believed that ordinary people could break away from the rebirth cycle and find nirvana. • This group also believed in a saint called a “bodhisattva.” • Bodhisattvas were those who achieved enlightenment but chose to remain on earth to assist others attain nirvana. • PURE LAND Buddhism was introduced during the A.D. 300s. • This sect followed the bodhisattva AMITABHA. • AMITABHA promised to save followers from reincarnation by allowing them to be reborn into his own pure land known as the “Western Paradise.” • Pure Land Buddhists lived good lives but merely needed to show sincere belief in AMITABHA. • Chanting his name repeatedly would also ensure entrance into the Western Paradise.

12. The Land of THREE Ways • China becomes a nation where 3 religions were allowed to exist. • Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism. • These Three Ways gave the Chinese options. • Confucianism brought ORDER to the post Warring States period. • Daoism allowed for people to get closer to nature and search for harmony and balance within the world. • Buddhism gives individuals hope for a better existence in the afterlife. • These Three Ways influenced each other and allowed for the borrowing of ideas between the three. • ALL Three Ways still respected the ancient ways of ancestor worship and spirits. • Emperors eventually realized that all three ways could exist and help govern this country.