Chinese Belief
Systems
What are the belief systems of
Ancient China?
Confucianism
Legalism
Daoism
Buddhism
What do we already know about
China?

Population

Geography

Middle Kingdom

Ethnocentrism

Mandate of Heaven
Confucianism



Philosophy created by
Confucius c. 500 BC
Confucianism is the most
popular Chinese
philosophy and is still
followed in China today.
Confucianism is not a
religion
– No sacred text
– No description of a belief in
the afterlife
How did Confucian beliefs affect
behavior in daily life?
Filial Piety = respect for
parents / honor your family

Five Relationships =
explained who should
respect who in society;

–
–
–
–
–
Father to son
Husband to wife
Ruler to subjects/people
Older brother to younger brother
Friend to friend
Political Beliefs



Confucius believed that
people were good by
nature.
Rulers should set a
good example for their
people.
Good Ruler = Good People
Important Facts about
Confucianism


Followers of Confucius
recorded his teachings
and beliefs in the
Analects.
Confucius also
emphasized the
importance of
education.
Legalism




Legalism is a political philosophy
created by Hanfeizi c. 250 BC.
Hanfeizi discussed how rulers
should rule and maintain power
Legalist philosophy suggests that
people are evil by nature
Because of this, a ruler must be
strict and have harsh punishments
Daoism



Daoism (Taoism) is a
philosophy created by
Lao-tzu c. 500 BC.
Contemplate the Tao, or
the “way” of the universe
Daoists reject a strong
government because
they believe people can
control their own actions
and do not need a ruler.

"Be still like a
mountain and
flow like a great
river."
Lao Tzu
Main Teachings of Daoism
 Taoists
believe in planning in advance
– Must carefully consider each action before
taking it
A
Taoist is kind to other individuals
– in part because kindness tends to be
reciprocated
 Taoists
believe people are
– compassionate by nature and if left to
their own devices they will show this
compassion without expecting a reward
Daoist Symbol


Daoists believe in
the balance of yin &
yang
Yin
– Earth, darkness, &
female forces

Yang
– Heaven, light, &
male forces
Buddhist Beliefs
 Buddhism
spread from India to China
– C. 300 CE
– Brought spiritual comfort in a time of
political & economic distress
– New ideas for art & sculpture
– Only case of China importing a
major idea from a foreign land in its
ancient history
EXIT TICKET

On the front
– List the founder
– Two beliefs
– On the back
Draw a picture that represents the
belief system