Philosophies & Religions of East Asia

1. Philosophies & Religions of East Asia Confucianism; Daoism; Legalism; Buddhism; Shinto; Secularism

2. CONFUCIANISM… • Founded by Confucius (Kong Zi) who lived in China during 5th – 6th centuries; a very turbulent time in Chinese history. His goal was to create a philosophy that would generate social stability. Because he was more focused on the here & now than the afterlife, Confucius’ ideas are considered a philosophy rather than a religion. • Key ideas/beliefs: Confucius stressed strength of character (family, benevolence, loyalty, virtue). It has no specific rituals or practices but instead is based on teachings & “sayings” of Confucius, which provided a framework for how to live one’s life. The “mandate of heaven” was a belief that rulers held power with the consent of the heavens, but Confucius believed that with that power came the responsibility of a higher moral order – meaning the Emperor had an obligation to be morally responsible.

3. The Confucian impact regionally… • Confucianism never had the influence in Japan that it did in China & Korea; • Japanese excluded Confucian beliefs they found “dangerous” like the idea of divine right to rule. The Japanese disliked the idea that this divine right could be “lost” & then the people had the right to replace that dynasty with another. In Japanese practice a single, imperial dynasty has persisted throughout their entire history.

4. Mahayana Buddhism • Has been culturally unifying in East Asia. Mahayana Buddism is a sect of Buddhism that simplifies the quest for nirvana & allows its followers to believe in other faiths as well. • Japanese zen is a sect of MB that has a strong emphasis on self-discipline & physical exercises to bring mind & body together. • "The nature of Zen"

5. Shinto • A religion unique to Japan, this faith entails animistic worship of nature spirits & stresses deep connections between people and nature. • It is place & nature centered; Mts. Fuji & Ontake are considered sacred. Shrines are found in most Japanese urban neighborhoods. • Shinto explained

6. East Asia’s minority religions… • There are millions of Christians in China & Japan, although they constitute less than 1% of the population in either country; • Approximately 6 million S. Koreans are Christian; • Chinese Christians face persecution (official state religion is atheism) so numbers are difficult to verify. • Islam is more prevalent in China; Hui are Chinese speaking Muslims; impact of Islam in Japan is not significant.

7. Secularism… • According to your text, “East Asia is one of the most secular regions of the world.” For large numbers of people in E. Asia, religion is not a significant factor in their daily lives & it does not drive governments; • China’s Communist government discouraged and severely repressed the influence of philosophies & religion in its early years. Marxist ideology, which became official in China in the 1960’s, is atheistic. Although the Chinese gov’t. has eased its prosecution of openly practicing religions, that is not the case in N. Korea.

8. Communism & Confucianism • A Communist regime took control of China in 1949 and all forms of religion and traditional philosophy (including Confucianism) were discouraged & even severely repressed. • Marxist philosophy takes a dim view of religion, and instead encourages the loyalty & devotion that one would normally give to a religion be given to the state instead. • German sociologist Karl Marx’s attitude toward religion was that it was primarily "the opiate of the people" that had been used by the ruling classes to give the working class false hope. He also saw religion as a form of protest by the working classes against their poor economic conditions. In the end, Marx rejects religion.

9. The Chinese Constitution & religion… • “Citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief.No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion.” • The state protects normal religious activities. No one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or interfere with the educational system of the state.” • Despite the above excerpts, the “official” religion of China is Atheism (a doctrine or belief that there is no God).

10. CONFUCIANISM… • Analects are the most revered scripture in the Confucian tradition. • Filial Piety – duty & respect that children owe their parents. • Taught that relationships are the key to an orderly society. 5 relationships were identified: RULER & RULED; FATHER & SON; OLDER BROTHER & YOUNGER BROTHER; HUSBAND & WIFE; FRIEND & FRIEND. Each of those relationships involved a SUPERIOR & an INFERIOR person (except friend to friend) & the role of the superior was to be an excellent role model for the inferior. In this way, even rulers had a responsibility to their subjects. • Meritocracy – advancement in society/work place based on personal performance (vs. family connections). Led to China’s Imperial Exam system.

11. CONFUCIANISM… • Confucianism has been followed by the Chinese for more than two millennia. It has deeply influenced spiritual and political life in China; its influence has also extended to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. East Asians may profess themselves to be Shintoists, Taoists, Buddhists, Muslims, or Christians - but seldom do they cease to be Confucians. • http://www.myrkothum.com/confucius-says-the-top-10-quotes-by-confucius/

12. DAOISM… • based on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, a short tract written in the 6th century BC in China. Its emphasis is on spiritual harmony within the individual. • Founded by Lao Ziwho was also looking for a way to establish an orderly society. • Since earliest times, Chinese thought has been characterized by an awareness of man's close relationship with nature and the universe. So Daoists believed the best way to live was the natural way (“Dao” means “the way.”)

13. DAOISM… • Unlike Confucianists, Daoists saw rules for society as useless. In Daoist thought, people should look to nature for their guide & do nothing that was contrary to nature. • Good governments should have few rules; simplicity was valued; • Yin & Yang – idea that these forces in nature should be balanced (yin is female, passive & earthly; yang is male, active & heavenly). All humans have both yin & yang & they must be kept in balance through actions, thought, diet, etc.

14. LEGALISM… • Legalism is a Classical Chinese philosophy that emphasizes the need for order above all other human concerns. It developed during the brutal years of the Fourth Century , which were marked with conflict. • Legalists believed the people needed a strong government and a carefully devised code of law, along with a policing force that would stringently and impartially enforce these rules and punish harshly even the most minor infractions.

15. LEGALISM… • The founder of the Legalistic school was Hsün Tzu or Han Feizi. The most important principle in his thinking was that humans are inherently evil and inclined toward criminal and selfish behavior. So they would respond to rewards & punishments & not to good examples. • Legalist rulers were strong, harsh & strict. That is how they ensured order in society.

16. Connecting ideas… • In section 4 we will discuss China’s dynasties. The philosophy embraced by the Emperor influenced how they ruled and consequently the lives of the people living under their rule. • Chinese people believed that heaven granted a ruler the right to rule & the people in turn owed their rulers complete loyalty & obedience.

17. Modern role of Confucianism… • 3 views: • 1) the conservatism of Confucianism hurt China’s early 20th century economic development; • 2) more recently people admire Confucianism’s focus on education & social stability & think that gives them a competitive edge; • 3) Others believe it has no economic connection because not all who follow Confucianism have prospered.