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REL 2300 Confucianism & Daoism

Terms in this set (43)

Spirits
active in every aspect of human life
Shang di
the omnipotent power that ruled the earth - Shang dynasty
Tian
"heaven" (also means supreme ruler of universe who gives good and bad) - Zhou dynasty
Ancestor veneration
ancestors become spirits who need to be placated
Yin Yang
opposite but complimentary principles, not good and evil, but waves running in and out of each other - balance or harmony
Divination
ways/methods of knowing the future
history
2000 BCE urban societies formed

Formative period - millennium between Chou (Zhou) dynasty (1027-256 BCE) to Han dynasty (205 BCE - 200CE)

220 CE - Daoism flourished and Buddhism introduced from India

256-420 CE - Confucian dominance (Tsin dynasty)

618-907CE - Golden age of Buddhism with the rise of Zen and Pure Land (Tang dynasty)

920-1127 CE - Neo-Confucianism grew (Northern Sung dynasty)
Daoist
those who advocated individualistic retreat and state's noninterference
Confucian
cultivation of their own humanity through ritual, disciplined learning, and humility
dao
the way
The unity that fits all things together
Cannot be described in words
Confucianism
Confucius lived in 551-479 BCE
Member of the ru class, or the Mandarin class, the quasi-priesthood
Administered and educated society
Specialized in the six arts: Ceremonial, Music, Archery, Charioteering, History, Numbers

Confucian ideals:
Produce excellent individuals
Create a harmonious society
Confucius believed individuals were capable of being good but needed help
Rectification of names
people must act in accordance with the roles given to them
Ren
virtue - what people must be motivated by, humanity, love, benevolence, empathy, thoughtfulness
Jun-zi
the superior man
li
propriety - doing what is appropriate
shu
reciprocity - how on action effects another person
wen
culture
xiao
filial piety
Five relationships
Father - Son - cornerstone relationship
Elder brother - Younger brother
Husband - Wife
Friend - Friend
Ruler - Subject
Mencius
Human nature is basically good and is impeded by evil social environment
Xunzi
Man is basically evil and needs education and social control to be good
The book of history (Five Classics)
an anthology of historical material about kings from earliest times to the early Zhou period
The book of poetry (Five Classics)
collection of three hundred poems of the Zhou period
The book of changes (I Ching) (Five Classics)
basic patterns of the universe used to understand future events
The book of rites (Five Classics)
lists ancient ceremonies and their meanings
The Spring and Autumn Annals (Five Classics)
comprises historical records of the state of Lu, where Confucius lived, ends with commentary
The Analects (The Four Books)
The sayings of Confucius and his conversations with his followers
The Great Learning (The Four Books)
a short discussion of the character and influence of the noble person
The doctrine of the mean (The Four Books)
speaks in praise of the mean or equilibrium
The Mencius (The Four Books)
a long collection of the teachings of Mencius
Neo-Confucianism
Rose with the Song dynasty (960 - 1280 CE)
Became the authority of the intellectual tradition of Confucianism
Concerned with the nature of the mind, the origin of things, meditation

Two leading neo-Confucian philosophers
Wang Yangming
Zhu Xi - taught the ultimate is manifested in myriad of things - through reflection one could realize the ultimate
Yangming said the principles are in one's mind
Daoism
Affirms needs of a personal life against the demands of a structured society
Legendary figure Lao Tzu (Laozi)
Dao de Ching (Tao te Ching)- accepted as central scripture - "the classical book about the way and its power"
Dao is not God
It is the way or rhythm of things

Zhuanzi - expanded on the Daoist writing
Seven "inner chapters" and Twenty-six "outer chapters
Adds an appreciation for humor
Wu wei
"no action" effortlessness
Simplicity
eliminate what is unnecessary
Gentleness
no weapons or war
Relativity
moving beyond the apparent opposites
Alchemy
the preparation of elixirs in combination with spiritual preparation to manipulate the yin and yang and the five substances to circumvent death
Yoga
holding one's breath to circulate it throughout the body
Merit
lay people, building roads, acts of charity, compassion to living things
Women's Roles (Confucianism)
Women are to perform her role
Lives were centered on family
Girl is not part of her birth family and not part of ancestral life, she attains recognition with marriage

Birth ritual
Place baby below the bed
Give her a potsherd to play with
Announce her birth to ancestors by an offering
Interpretation
As female she should be submissive, humbling herself to others
Hardworking and diligent in the domestic sphere
She should enter into the wife's responsibilities of her husband's family

Husbands could divorce under seven circumstances: Incurable sickness, No male heir, Talking too much, Stealing, Disobedience, Promiscuity, jealousy
Women's Roles (Daoism)
Women were not brought out of patriarchy, but were given more freedoms
Women were able to offer libations with the men
Held leadership roles
The highest spiritual levels could only be achieved by female form
Footbinding
Began with royalty
Moved into Chinese culture
Linked with marriage
The goal was to bind the foot into perfect golden lotuses, three inches long and shaped like a budding lotus flower
Shinto
"the way of the gods"
Four affirmations: Tradition, Life in this world, Purity, festival

Shinto worship follows four words: Purification, Presentation, Prayer, participation
Kami - Shinto deities
Named in two great collections
Kojiki and Nihonshoki
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