Ancient China 3.4 Beliefs and Achievement

Who was considered the supreme being in Shang times?

• Shang Di
• Huang Di
• Tian
• Shen Di

How was the king connected to the supreme being, Shang Di?

• The king was seen as the link between the people and Shang Di
• He prayed regularly
• He was seen as an equal
• He was unrelated

Why was the king called the "Son of Heaven"?

• Because he was believed to be the intermediary between Heaven and the people
• He was Heaven's representative
• He spoke to the people of Heaven
• He represented Earth

What did the Chinese believe about the role of ancestors in their relationship with the gods?

• They believed that ancestors could influence the gods on behalf of the living
• They thought ancestors were gods
• They didn't believe in ancestors
• Ancestors were seen as unrelated to gods

Why did rulers and nobles pray to their ancestors in early China?

• To gain the gods' favor for benefits like good harvests or victory in war
• To thank the gods
• To connect with their lineage
• To ensure their own power

How did the practice of honoring ancestors influence the community?

• It strengthened the ruler’s power and provided benefits for the whole community
• It isolated the rulers
• It divided communities
• It limited the ruler's authority

What were the two major belief systems that emerged during the late Zhou period?

• Confucianism and Daoism
• Buddhism and Hinduism
• Islam and Confucianism
• Christianity and Taoism

Who was Confucius?

• A philosopher-teacher born in 551 B.C., also known as Kong Fuzi
• A warrior
• A poet
• An emperor

What was Confucius’s goal in visiting various rulers?

• To advise them on good governance
• To gain wealth
• To seek alliances
• To offer gifts

Why did Confucius begin teaching after traveling to different courts?

• Because he couldn’t secure a permanent government position
• To achieve fame
• To challenge government
• For personal enjoyment