Religions of China

​Section 3: Religions and Beliefs in Ancient China

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Dr. Bennett

November 2022​

​Introduction

​Ancient China has a unique culture. Confucianism and Daoism developed during the Zhou dynasty. These are philosophies, a set of beliefs about the world and how to live. All aspects of society were influenced by these philosophies. Worship of certain gods was connected to these philosophies. Before these the Chinese followed ancient spiritual traditions.

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Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

The two philosophies developed during the Zhou dynasty are:

• Qinism and Daoism

• Daoism and Protestanism

• Daoism and Confucianism

​Spiritual Traditions

​Many Spirits

​Ancient Chinese thought the world was flat and heaven was above. Heaven and earth were populated by a variety of spirits.

Heaven was the home of the spirits of the sun, moon, stars, and storms. Good spirits made rain fall and crops grow. Sailors were kept safe on the ocean and they brought happiness. Not all spirits were kind. Harmful spirits​ made it unsafe walking at night, hid in houses to bring bad luck. People used loud sounds to frighten evil spirits away during festivals.

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Multiple Choice

A philosophy is a set of beliefs about the world and how to live.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

Where did the ancient Chinese believe spirits were found? (Mark all that apply)

• heaven

• ocean

• hiding in houses

• rocks

​Spiritual Traditions

​Honoring Ancestors

​Ancestors were the most important spirits. Family members were believed to live after death in the spirit world. They remained part of the family to be cared for and supported. The ancestors would protect and guide but also cause people trouble. A good relationship with the ancestors was key. Living to honor the dead was important. Families have shrines and rituals honoring their ancestors. Food is set out for the ancestors on special occasions. Fake money was burned so the ancestors had income in the afterlife. Honoring the dead is called ancestor worship. Many of these rituals are practiced still today.

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Multiple Choice

Which spirits were most important to many ancient Chinese?

• Evil ones

• Good ones

• Ancestors

Multiple Choice

Why did the living "take care" of dead ancestors?

• They did not want them coming after them in the dark

• They wanted the ancestors to protect and guide them

• They wanted the ancestors to find them lots of money

​The Teachings of Confucius

​Introduction

​Confucius was a thinker. He developed one of the most important philosophies of China. He lived just before the Warring States period. He and other thinkers looked for solutions to China's problems. Confucius had the biggest impact on the Chinese culture. He is known as the "First Teacher" and honored for his wisdom.

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​The Teachings of Confucius

​Life of a Philosopher

​Born in 551 B.C., Confucius saw the problems of China and wanted to find solutions. He was born into a poor family, held low-level jobs in government and saw first-hand the problems at the time. Officials did not always enforce the laws, some took bribes in order to do favors for the rich. He thought the cause of the disorder was the turning away from traditional values. By returning to these ideals he felt China would come back to order. He started his own school where his students collected his thoughts in a book called Analects. His students spread his ideas throughout China.

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Multiple Select

What problems did Confucius see? (mark all that apply)

• taking of bribes

• laws were not always enforced

• the poor was taxed

• peasants were starved

Multiple Choice

What did Confucius consider as the cause of disorder in China?

• The Chinese people forgot who was in charge

• The Chinese turned away from the traditional values of their ancestors

• The Chinese began learning another language

Multiple Choice

Who compiled the Analects?

• Students of Mao Tse Tung

• Students of Karl Marx

• Students of Confucius

• Students of Early Colonial America

​The Teachings of Confucius

​Five Relationships

Confusianism was based on 5 relationships that allow for a stable and orderly society. The relationships are: 1) ruler and subject, 2) father and son, 3) husband and wife, 4) older and younger brothers, and 5) two friends. The devotion o​f children with their parents is called "filial piety." It was important for fathers and sons, and parents and their children to have good relationships. Younger family members took care of older. These relationships were the model for the other relationships. Confucius believed order and harmony would be achieved when all people acted according to their roles.

Multiple Choice

What is the most important virtue in Confucianism?

• Devotion to Confucius

• Devotion to the gods

• Devotion and respect of children to their parents

• Devotion to the one you love

Multiple Choice

The heart of Confucianism is:

• The 5 Relationships

• The 5 Pillars

• The 5 Towers

• The 5 Spices

Multiple Choice

The devotion o​f children with their parents is called

• Parental Piety

• Parents Anonymous

• Filial Parenting

• Filial piety

​Beliefs of Daoism

​Introduction

Other Chinese scholars were affected by the chaos during the Zhou dynasty. This led to the development of Daoism. This is a way of life emphasizing a simple and natural existence. Following the Dao is the natural way of the universe.​

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Multiple Choice

Following the Dao is the natural way of the universe.​

• True

• False

​Beliefs of Daoism

​The Legend of Laozi

​Legend says that Daoism was founded by Laozi, a sage and wise person. The Dao De Jing is said to be a book of his beliefs. Historians believe the book to be written by many people and is made up of poems.

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Multiple Choice

The Dao De Jing is a book of Laozi's beliefs. Historians believe that he wrote the book.

• True

• False

​Beliefs of Daoism

​Yin and Yang

​The Chinese see quiet order in the changing seasons. They believe two forces are at work in nature which are opposites. They are called Yin and Yang. Yin is the female force; dark, cool, and quiet. Yang is the male force; bright, warm, and active. Although they are opposites, they work together. Balance between yin and yang is key to harmony in the universe.

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Multiple Choice

According to the ancient Chinese, what are the two forces at work in nature?

• Yin and Yan

• Yin and Yankees

• Yin and Yuletide

• Yin and Yang

​Beliefs of Daoism

​The Dao

​Dao means "the way" or "the path." It is mysterious and impossible to clearly define. Chinese see the Dao in natural things like water. If one acts like water they are following the Dao. Order is when people keep to a simple life, instead of competing for wealth and power. Daoists believe that a good leader takes little action. Daoists do not concern themselves with the morals, rituals, and learning like the Confucianists.

Most Chinese thinkers study both Confucianism and Daoism. ​They both have influenced Chinese culture even though new ideas came in from abroad.

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Multiple Choice

Dao means

• The truth

• The way

• The road

Multiple Choice

One way to understand Dao is to observe nature and natural elements such as

• Fire

• Water

• Oil

• Petroleum