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'