From the Hearth of the
Huang He River ValleyTaoism, Confucianism, and
Shintoism
Taoism
The origin of Taoism is unclear, but scholars trace the beginning of the religion to a Chinese man, Lao-Tsu
He focused on the proper form of political rule and on the oneness of humanity and nature
Gave rise to the concept of Feng Shui The art and science of organizing living spaces
in order to channel the life forces that exist in nature in favorable ways
TAOISM
It teaches that “the way” (Dao, or Tao) is realized through recognition and acceptance of nothingness; that is, wisdom is understanding that weakness truly equals strength, that happiness depends on disaster, and that passivity is the greatest action.
Taoism Continued
Virtues are simplicity, spontaneity, tenderness, and tranquility
Vices are competition, possession, and the pursuit of knowledge
Evils include war, punishment, taxation, and ceremonial ostentation
The best government is the least government
TAOISM
Taoism maintained that the individual should ignore the dictates of society and seek only to conform with the underlying pattern of the universe, the Tao which can neither be described in words nor conceived in thought.
TWO TYPES OF TAOISM
Philosophical Popular
PHILOSOPHICAL
BELIEF: By stilling the inner self they can gain understanding and live in oneness and harmony.
POPULAR
Includes many Gods, Goddess, and Spiritual beings
Followers use magic and harness virtue or power in the hope of becoming immortal
Taoism Chart
Origins and History
Adherents Worldwide
God(s) and Universe
Human Situation and Life’s Purpose
Afterlife Practices Texts
Lao-Tzu, c. 550 BC, China.
20 million (394 million adherents of Chinese religion)
Pantheism - the Tao pervades all. Yin-yang - opposites make up a unity.
Purpose is inner harmony, peace, and longevity. Achieved by living in accordance with the Tao.
Revert back to state of non-being, which is simply the other side of being.
Generalattitude of detachment and non-struggle, "go with the flow" of the Tao. Tai-chi, acupuncture, and alchemy to help longevity.
Tao Te Ching, Chuang-Tzu
CONFUCIANISM Major system of thought in
China, developed from the teachings of Confucius and his disciples, and concerned with the principles of good conduct, practical wisdom, and proper social relationships.
Confucianism
Confucius was a Chinese man who lived from 551-479 BCE
He created a blueprint for Chinese civilizations including fields of philosophy, government, and education
Tenets include belief in heaven, existence of a soul, ancestor worship, and sacrificial rites
Confucianism Continued
The real meaning of life lies in the present, and service to humanity supersedes service to spirits
It is mainly a philosophy, not a religion
People celebrate Confucius, but few worship him
CONFUCIANISM
Unlike Christian churches, the temples built to Confucius were not places in which organized community groups gathered to worship, but public edifices designed for annual ceremonies, especially on the philosopher's birthday.
BASIC TEACHINGS
BEING COURTEOUSFAIRRESPECTFUL TO
SUPERIORSKINDNESS TO ORDINARY
PEOPLE
CONFUCIANISM
Confucius wished to bring order and harmony to society, with everyone doing their duty. He taught that worshipping God and the spirits and honoring one’s ancestors was nothing unless service to other people comes first.
Diffusion of Confucianism
Confucianism diffused into the Korean Peninsula, Japan, and SE Asia and influenced the practice of Buddhism
Through relocation diffusion, Confucianism has diffused to Europe and N. America
Confucianism Chart
Origins and History
Adherents Worldwide
God(s) and Universe
Human Situation and Life’s Purpose
Afterlife Practices Texts
Founded byConfucius(551–479 BC),China
5-6 million Not addressed
Purpose of life isto fulfill one'srole in societywith propriety,honor, andloyalty.
Not addressed
Honesty, politenes,propriety,humaneness,perform correct rolein society, loyalty tofamily, nation
Analects
SHINTOISM
No founder No sacred scripture Shinto’s world view – bright and
optimistic (the main deity is the sun goddess)
Chief purpose – celebration and enrichment of life
SHINTOISM
Human nature is goodEvil is thought to stem from the individual’s contact with external forces or agents that pollute our pure nature.
Shrines (places of Shinto worship)
For praying for good fortune and protecting from evil spirits
For wedding celebrationsFor celebration of births
KAMI
Shinto deities Sacred spirits
Anything extraordinary or awesome
Natural elements: the sun, mountains, trees, rocks, and the wind
Guardian Kami – Inari (fox deity): A guardian god for modern business used to be a guardian god of cultivation
In the late 6th century ad the name Shinto was created for the native religion to distinguish it from Buddhism and Confucianism, which had been introduced from China.
Shintoism
Buddhism mixed with a local religion in Japan creating Shintoism Focuses on nature and ancestor worship
In the 1800’s, the emperor made Shinto the official religion After World War II, there was a separation
between Church and State There are between 105-118 million
Japanese that practice Shinto It has not diffused from Japan
Shintoism Chart
Origins and History
Adherents Worldwide
God(s) and Universe
Human Situation and Life’s Purpose
Afterlife Practices Texts
Indigenous religion of Japan.
3-4 million Polytheism based on the kami, ancient gods or spirits.
Humans are pure by nature and can keep away evil through purification rituals and attain good things by calling on the kami.
Death is bad and impure. Some humans become kami after death.
Worship and offerings to kami at shrines and at home. Purification rituals.
Important texts areKojiki or 'Records of Ancient Matters' andNihon-gi or 'Chronicles of Japan'