27.2 Part 2 PPT: Culture of China

China’s population is nearly 1.3 billion

One out of every five people in the world lives in China.

The vast majority are Han Chinese

The main dialect of Chinese is Mandarin, and about 70% of people speak it.

Buddhism and Taoism are the major religions of China

Tao (DOW) means the harmony of the universe.

Hinduism vs. BuddhismHinduism

• Karma• Dharma• Buddha is a Hindu God• Desire leads to suffering• Nonviolence• Meditation• Individual• Spiritual movements

Buddhism

• Karma• Dharma• Equality for all• Desire leads to suffering• Nonviolence• Meditation• No one creator• Ending suffering is supreme goal

in life• Monks• Organized religion

Many Chinese also follow the wisdom of Confucius

He is called “China’s first teacher” and taught a code of ethics and behavior for an honorable life.

China has 55 minority groups,

And most live along the borders and in the eastern part of the country.

These groups have their own cultures and religions

For example, Tibetans follow a type of Buddhism.

The Kazakhs are Muslim.

China’s government officially discourages religious practice.

They have repressed Tibetan culture and religion to prevent any movement towards independence.

Lantern Activity

• Originating as far back as 250 B.C.• Since red connotes vitality and energy at its

maximal state, a red lantern placed outside a doorway tells of a birth or marriage.

• A blue lantern, representing declining energy or sickness, indicates there is illness in the household.

• White signifies energy eliminated or death, so a white sash draped across the top of the doorway, flanked by two white lanterns announces that the family is in mourning

Lantern Festival

• Since the Han Dynasty• Follows an agricultural cycle. • Just as the Chinese New Year comes during the

winter, when farmers are unable to work in the fields, Lantern Festival marks the conclusion of the Chinese New Year season when farmers begin preparing for spring planting.

• The festival marks the return of light and spring.