Living Religions A Brief Introduction 3 rd Edition

1. Living ReligionsA Brief Introduction3rd Edition Mary Pat Fisher

2. Chapter 6 Daoism and Confucianism Ancient traditions Daoism--the way of nature and immortality Confucianism--the practice of virtue

3. Key terms Celestial Master Shangdi (Shang Ti) Complete Perfection Taiji quan (T’ai chi ch’uan) Dao (Tao) wu wei Falun Dafa yang Falun Gong yi feng shui yin Highest Purity Daoism li Neo-Confucianism qi (ch’i) qigong ren (jen) RujiaoA

4. Timeline Dynasties Shang (1751-1123) Zhou (1122-221) Jin or Qin (221-206 BCE) Han (206 BCE-220 CE) Tang (618-907 CE) Song (960-1280) Republic (1912-1949) People’s Republic (1949-) Ancient traditions Confucius (551-479) Mengzi (390-305) Xunzi (340-245) Persecution Civil service exams Revival Zhu Xi (1130-1200) Disestablishment Persecution Revival Daoism Ancient traditions Laozi (600?-300?) Zhuangzi (365-290) Immortality movements Heavenly Masters originate Buddhist influence Canon formed (748) Taiji quan appears Persecution Falun Gong/Dafa

5. Ancient Traditions Spiritual ways of ancient Chinese civilization influence all later developments Ancestor worship Invisible spirits Various rites to ward off demons Rulers played major spiritual roles

6. Cosmic Balance Belief that the cosmos is a manifestation of an impersonal spiritual substance qi (ch’i): the stuff of which all things are composed; has 2 aspects yin is the dark, receptive “female” yang is the bright assertive “male” Dao (way): the creative rhythm of the universe

7. Daoism—the way of nature and immortality Scholarly label applied to an array of beliefs and practices May involve Daoist practices and Confucian virtues and Buddhist-style rituals Institutional Daoism has tried to distance itself from popular religion

8. Teachings of Daoist Sages Two major texts of philosophical tradition Dao de jing (The Classic of the Way and its Power) Written by Laozi Can live happily by harmonizing self with the universe, being receptive to beauty and nature, and being silent Zhuangzi Best approach to life is detachment Daoist paradox of wu wei: actionless action

9. Popular Religion and Organized Daoism Became intertwined when Daoist specialists took charge of spiritual tasks such as alchemy, faith healing, and the use of talismans Burning incense and making offerings is a way to communicate with invisible spirits Feng shui: one means of seeking harmony Kitchen God

10. Inner Alchemy Individual spiritual practices for self-cultivation, longevity, and perhaps immortality Practices passed secretly from teacher to pupil Seek to use the energy available to the body for physical health and intuitive perception Three treasures: generative force (jing), vital life force (qi), spirit (shen) Queen Mother of the West guards the elixir of life

11. Daoism Sects Organized sects developed complex rituals, texts, and had organized clergy Highest Purity Daoism advocated celibacy Numinous Treasure assimilated elements of Buddhism Complete Perfection is the dominant monastic school Unites Daoist inner alchemy with Chan Buddhist meditation and Confucian social morality White Cloud Monastery in Beijing

12. Daoism Today Continues in 3 major forms Organized religious institutions Societies for self-cultivation Qigong Practitioners of spiritual development, health, and longevity Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, energy training practice (Taiji quan)

13. Confucianism: The Practice of Virtue Originated about the same time as Daoism In Chinese Confucious is known as Kong fuzi and his teachings are called Rujiao: the teaching of the scholars Based on ancient Chinese beliefs in the Mandate of Heaven, ancestor worship, spirits, and the power of ritual

14. Master Kong’s Life Father died when he was 3 and his mother when he was 23. Mourning period after his mother’s death; studied ancient ceremonial rites Instructed students in the Six Classics of China’s cultural heritage: the Yijing, poetry, history, rituals, music, dance His teaching was recognized only in the centuries after his death

15. The Confucian Virtues Ren is the most important innate goodness, love, benevolence, humaneness, human heartedness Strong government required rulers who lead virtuous lives to set a good example Emphasizes relationships over individuality (parent/child, older/younger siblings, husband/wife, older/younger friend, ruler/subject

16. Divergent Followers Mengzi (Mencius) stressed the goodness of human nature and the virtue of yi (righteous conduct) Xunzi argued that humans are self-centered by nature and that heaven operates according to natural laws

17. The State Cult Confucianism was adopted by the state during the Han dynasty (205 BCE – 220 CE) Men seeking government positions had to pass examinations based on the six classics

18. Neo-Confucianism Stressed the importance of meditation and dedication to becoming a noble person Encouraged women to offer themselves in total sacrifice to others Premised on the idea that Buddhism and Daoism brought moral and political weakness into Chinese society

19. Confucianism under Communism During Cultural Revolution attacked as one of the “Four Olds”: old ideas, culture, customs, habits Recent Communist leaders have advocated Confucian virtues without naming them Not officially recognized as a religion Confucian morality forms the basis of Chinese ethics