Chinese Philosophies

1. Chinese Philosophies The Teachings of Confucius, Buddha and Lao Tze

2. Confucius551 - 470 B.C • Confucianism is a system of beliefs based on the teachings of Kong Fu Zi(first called Confucius by Europeans) • Confucius developed a practical philosophy for life and government • His ideas focused on: • proper conduct for all • respect for elders • education • government service • hard work

3. Code of Behavior • This code of behavior involved five relationships: • ruler and subject • parent and child • husband and wife • sibling and sibling • friend and friend • Confucius believed that in these relationships people should be: • loyal • courteous • honest • faithful • obedient to those in authority Confucius taught that everyone should follow a certain code of behavior. If people followed the code, their relationships would be harmonious and enjoyable

4. Prominent Works • The Analects • The sayings of Confucius were remembered by his followers and were later compiled in a book of Analects (sayings), perhaps having been expanded on in the meantime. Through them we discover Confucius' notions of the virtues, i.e., the positive character traits, to which we should aspire.

5. Lao-Tze606 - 530 B.C. • Daoism is a religion based on the teachings of Lao-Tze (which means “old master”), believed to be the first Daoist philosopher • Lao-Tze taught that the goal of life is to achieve oneness with the Dao, a universal force connected to nature that cannot be explained, only experienced and felt • Daoism teaches that humans should see themselves as part of nature and should understand change as part of everything.

6. Lao-Tze’s views on nature • Daoism stresses that the best way for humans to find peace is by living simply, in harmony with nature • Lao-Tze taught that to discover how nature works you must sit by a river, feel a breeze, or observe a drifting cloud. • Notice that nothing in nature strives for fame, power, or knowledge, so neither should you

7. Lao-Tze’s view on government • Daoistsdo not believe in strong government, but that happiness and peace can be achieved by thinking about nature, not by following societal rules and laws.

8. Yin and Yang • Daoism teaches that harmony comes from balancing the opposite forces of nature, called yin and yang • Yin’s attributes: female, earth, dark and cold • Yang’s attributes: male, sky, light, and heat

9. Sacred Works • Tao Te Ching • (tao—meaning the way of all life, te—meaning the fit use of life by men, and ching—meaning text or classic) • A collection of Lao-Tze’s teachings, but not written by him. • Most likely written by teachers and students of Daoism

10. Buddha563 to 483 B.C. • Buddhism is a religion based on the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, which means enlightened one • Gautama lived in India • Buddhism was brought to China around A.D. 200 by Buddhist monks and traders

11. The Four Noble Truths • The Buddha’s teachings are summed up in the Four Noble Truths: • 1) all life is suffering and pain; • 2) suffering and pain are caused by desire for wealth, pleasure, fame, and power; • 3) to end suffering one must overcome desire; • 4) to overcome desire, one must follow the Middle Way.

12. The Eightfold Path • The Noble Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering • It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions; • it finally leads to understanding the truth about all things.

13. The Middle Way • The Middle Way is a philosophy of life that stresses virtuous conduct, and compassion for all living things. • This leads to calmness and purity of mind

14. Reincarnation • Buddhism preaches reincarnation • the idea that when a person dies, the soul is reborn in a new body • The first goal in life is to attain nirvana, the condition of desiring nothing. • When one attains nirvana, he or she breaks the cycle of life and death, and is no longer reincarnated into an earthly life of suffering. • The final goal for Buddhists is to devote their lives to bringing others to enlightenment.

15. Sacred Works • The Tripitaka • the earliest collection of buddhist writings and the most sacred text in Theravada Buddhism • The word means "the three baskets and refers to the way the texts were first recorded • The VinayaPitaka (discipline basket) contains precepts for monks and nuns • the SuttaPitaka (teaching basket) contains the discourses of Buddha • the AbidhammaPitaka (metaphysical basket) contains Buddhist theology • The Sutras • Mahayana and Vajrayanasects of Buddhism recognize hundreds of additional sutras recorded by masters after the time of the Buddha • These writings are known as the Sutras • The Sutras were put into writing between the second century bce and the second century • Heart Sutra • Diamond Sutra • Lotus Sutra

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17. Who promotes hard work? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

18. Who believes that to find peace one must live in harmony with nature? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

19. Who does not believe in strong government? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

20. Who believes in Reincarnation? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

21. Who preaches respect for elders? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

22. Who believes all life is suffering and pain? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

23. Who believes harmony comes from balancing the opposite forces of nature? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

24. Who believes suffering is caused by the desire for wealth, pleasure, fame and power? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

25. Who promotes education and government service? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

26. Who believes that to end suffering one must overcome all desires? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

27. Who believes happiness is achieved by living in tune with nature, not by following rules and laws? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

28. Who believes the first goal in life is to attain Nirvana? • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

29. Critical-Thinking • Identify which philosopher is most likely to have said each quote…

30. Like a spider caught in its own web is a person driven by fierce cravings. Break out of the web and turn away from the world of sensory pleasure and sorrow. • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

31. If a ruler himself is upright, all will go well without orders. But if he himself is not upright, even though he gives orders they will not be obeyed • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

32. The more laws and edicts are imposed, the more thieves and bandits there will be. • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

33. Life is a journey, death is a return to the earth, the universe is like an inn, the passing years are like dust • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

34. The sage, because he does nothing, never ruins anything, because he does not lay hold of anything, loses nothing • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

35. Be respectful at home, serious at work, faithful in human relations. Even if you go to uncivilized areas, these virtues are not to be abandoned. • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

36. In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of. • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

37. To know that you do not know is the best. To pretend to know when you do not is a disease • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze

38. Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. • Confucius • Buddha • Lao-Tze