6.5.3 Chinese Belief Systems

Chinese Belief Systems

Get your book pages 191-195

Draw

Draw a RED CIRCLE on how you are feeling today?

Chinese Belief Systems

Get your book pages 191-195

Open Ended

This is the Hanging Temple in China, a place where people practiced different belief systems. Describe what you see in the picture.

Open Ended

What is the meaning of PHILOSOPHY?

VOCABULARY


philosophy

General study of
knowledge and the
world; Greek for “love
of wisdom”

Open Ended

What is the meaning of FILIAL PIETY?

VOCABULARY


filial piety

devotion of children to
their parents

Open Ended

What is the meaning of INCOME?

VOCABULARY


income

payments of money

Open Ended

What is the meaning of STABLE?

VOCABULARY


stable

able to last, not likely
to fall apart

Ancient Chinese people believed that spirits existed everywhere—in nature, in homes, and in the heavens.

Spirits in Early Chinese Religion

These spirits could bring good luck or misfortune, so people tried to keep them happy.

Spirits in Early Chinese Religion

Multiple Choice

Ancient Chinese people believed that spirits existed everywhere—in nature, in homes, and in the heavens.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

These spirits could bring good luck or misfortune, so people tried to keep them happy.

• True

• False

Offerings of food, incense, and prayers were made to spirits at temples and family altars.

Honoring Spirits

People believed that pleasing the spirits would bring protection and prosperity.

Honoring Spirits

Multiple Select

All are offerings made to the spirits at the temples EXCEPT:

• food

• incense

• prayers

• human sacrifice

Multiple Choice

People believed that pleasing the spirits would bring protection and prosperity.

• True

• False

Families honored their ancestors by making offerings and holding ceremonies.

Ancestor Worship

They believed ancestors could influence their lives and bring good fortune.

Ancestor Worship

Multiple Choice

Families honored their ancestors by making offerings and holding ceremonies.

• True

• False

Ancestor worship was a family duty passed down through generations.

The Role of Family in Worship

Many homes had ancestral tablets or shrines to remember and respect their family’s past.

The Role of Family in Worship

Families set up food for dead ancestors on special occasions.

The Role of Family in Worship

Respect for ancestors reinforced the importance of family and tradition in Chinese culture.

Connection to Chinese Society

This belief shaped Confucian values and influenced Chinese government and daily life.

Connection to Chinese Society

Confucianism is a philosophy that teaches people how to live in harmony with others.

Confucianism - A Guide for Life

It focuses on respect, duty, and strong relationships in society.

Confucianism - A Guide for Life

Confucianism teaches people to respect their elders and follow moral values.

Confucianism and Individuals

It focuses on respect, duty, and strong relationships in society.

Confucianism and Individuals

Confucius taught that rulers should be wise, fair, and lead by example.

Confucianism and Rulers

A good ruler cares for the people and ensures harmony in society

Confucianism and Rulers

Confucianism promoted social order by encouraging respect, duty, and kindness.

Confucianism and Society

When people follow Confucian values, communities become peaceful and stable.

Confucianism and Society

When people follow Confucian values, communities become peaceful and stable.

Life and Teaching of Confucius

Daoism teaches that people should live in balance with nature and follow the natural way of the universe.

Daoism Values

Daoism values living a simple and balanced life, free from unnecessary struggles and desires.

Balance and Simplicity

●Good spirits made crops grow, kept sailors safe, and brought happiness.

●Harmful spirits might harm travelers at night or hide in a house, bringing bad
luck.

●These spirits ruled the daily lives of people.

●

Families had shrines with tablets inscribed with ancestors’ names.

●

They set out food for their ancestors on special occasions to welcome
them home.

●

After paper money came into use, they burned fake “spirit” money to give
the ancestors incomein the afterlife.

Beliefs of Daoism

Another group of thinkers had a
different reaction to the disorder of
the Zhou dynasty. Their reaction led
to the development of Daoism.
According to legend, a wise person
named Laozi founded Daoism. He
wrote down his beliefs in a book
called the Dao DeJing.

Beliefs of Daoism

A balance between yin and
yang is key to harmony in
the universe.

According to Daoists, order comes when people keep to a simple life, instead of competing for wealth and power.

Categorize

Options (9)

Focus on achieving balance in life

Founded by Lao Tzu

Emphasizes female side

Focus on achieving social harmony

Deals with relationships

Emphasizes superiority of males

Founded by Confucius

Founded in China

Tolerates other religions

Organize these options into the right categories

Daoism

Confucianism

Both Daoism and Confucianism