Exploring the Religions
of Our World
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
The basics
 Chinese religions are
a blend of practices:
Chinese folk religion
Taoism
Confucianism
Buddhism
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
Periods of hindu history
Page 280
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
History
Shang Dynasty (16th–11th BCE)
 veneration of ancestors
 veneration of nature gods
 highest god is called Ti
Chou Dynasty (11-2nd BCE)
 the practice of divination
(the attempt to interpret signs  elderly ancestors are
from nature such as astrology) revered
 highest god is called T’ien
 the notion of the Mandate
of Heaven (conferred on
kings)
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
History (continued)
Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)
• The teachings of confucius become the state
ideology by imperial decree
• Confucianism begins to move toward
egalitarianism (social equality)
• Character building is a lifelong process of
education and self-discipline
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
History (continued)
Confucius:
• Lived from about 551 to 479 BCE
• A chinese philosopher who considered to be the
“father of chinese culture” by many
• His sayings (analects) became the source of his
teaching
• Emphasized the building of moral character
• Proper ritual observance and moral persuasion
were his formula for success
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
History (continued)
Lao-tzu:
• A chinese philosopher and founder of taoism
• Wrote the tao-te ching or “The way and its
power”
• Taoists priests encourage methods of selfperfection and help individuals control the
forces of yin and yang
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
History (continued)
Yin and yang:
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Complementary, harmonious play
of pairs of opposites in the universe
They are not interdependent --one defines the other
there is no antagonism between the pairs, for both
are needed
each contains a little of the other
nature is in a continual dance to remain balanced
between the yin and the yang
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
History (continued)
The Chinese communist revolution of 1949:
 placed Confucianism in disfavor
 believed all religion was elitist, out-dated and a
threat to personal freedom
 current government monitors the selection of
religious leaders in the various traditions and has
suppressed sacred places and spaces
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
Sacred stories and sacred scriptures
The
Five
Classics

historical documents

anthology of poems

manual for
divination

records of the state
of Lu

works on the
principles of li
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
Sacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued)
Four
Books
The Analects (sayings of
Confucius)
The Great Learning (details
of how perfection can benefit
society)
Doctrine of the Mean
(philosophical utterances with
commentaries)
Book of Meng-tzu (sayings of
the great follower of
Confucius)
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
Sacred stories and sacred scriptures (continued)
Tao-te
Ching
 the central scripture within
Taoism
 attributed to Lao-tsu
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
Beliefs and practices
Things emphasized in Confucianism:
 belief in the high god Heaven and various
Chinese deities
 striving for perfection through relationships
with one another
 folk rituals and practices
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
Beliefs and practices (continued)
Things emphasized in Taoism:
 moving in harmony with Tao (the nature of things)
 a return to simplicity and harmony with all creation
 immortality which is the goal of the Taoist
 beliefs in a pantheon of gods
 Chinese living rooted in family structures and
ancestor veneration
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
Beliefs and practices (continued)
Chinese are Confucian in public,
Taoist in private,
and Buddhist with regard to death.
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
Sacred time
Chinese New Year
Prayers and homage
to Tso Kwan
Tin Hau
Honors the mother of
boat people and
sailors
Mid Autumn Festival
Recalls when Chinese
rulers carefully studied
the moon
Ching Ming
Honors deceased
relatives
Dragon Boat Festival
Honors a famous Chinese
patriot named Wut Yuah
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
Sacred places and sacred spaces
Ancestor Gravesites
providing for the needs
of the deceased
Shrine of Ancestors
to local gods and
ancestors
Temples
Taoist and Buddhist
local and state temples
Chapter 7 Chinese Religions
Vocabulary
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Divination
Astrology
Cult
Neoconfucianism
Yin and yang
Koan


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chun-tzu
li
jen
Tao
wu-wei
hsien

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feng-shui
spirit tablet
communion of
saints
intercession
inculturation