Other Beliefs: Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Shinto, Sikhism.

Confucianism

* Confucius was a teacher and editor of books.

* 551 – 479 B.C.

Major PrinciplesLi --> Ritual and traditions

Ren --> Benevolence, humanity

Shu --> Empathy, serving others

Yi --> Righteousness

Xiao --> Respect for elders

Confucius also taught to respect people based on abilities, status, and age.

Confucian sayings in the Analects

* Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’t know, is characteristics of the person who knows.

* Making a mistake and not correcting it, is making another mistake.

* The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others.

* To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.

DAOISM

* Laozi (604 B.C. - ?) is thought to have written the “Dao de Jing”

* His name means “Old Master”

Dao De Jing* The basic text of Daoism.

* In Chinese, it means The Classic in the Way and Its Power.

* “Those who speak know nothing: Those who know are silent.” These words, I am told, Were spoken by Laozi. If we are to believe that Laozi, Was himself one who knew, How is it that he wrote a book, Of five thousand words?

Important Daoist principles

1. Dao [Tao] is a force that flows through all life.

2. A believer’s goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature

3. Man is unhappy because he lives in ways that are contrary to the ways of nature.

The duality of the universe

* Feminine

* Passive

* Darkness

* Cold

* Weak

* Earth; Moon

*Masculine

* Active

* Light

* Warmth

* Strong

* Heaven; Sun

BUDDHISM

The “middle way of wisdom The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.”and compassion.”

2,500 year old tradition.2,500 year old tradition.

Born in India and raised in Born in India and raised in great luxury to be a king.great luxury to be a king.

At 29 he rejected luxury to At 29 he rejected luxury to seek enlightenmentseek enlightenmentand the source of suffering.and the source of suffering.

After years of wandering, sat After years of wandering, sat in meditation, and found in meditation, and found “nirvana,” and discovered “nirvana,” and discovered all the secrets of the all the secrets of the universe.universe.

Siddhartha Guatama (563-483 B.C.)

Belief that the fundamental root of all suffering is desire.

If you remove all your attachment to desires, and live a virtuous life according to Buddha’s teachings, you can also reach Nirvana.

Eightfold Path

1. Right View Wisdom 2. Right Intention 3. Right Speech Ethical Conduct 4. Right Action 5. Right Livelihood 6. Right Effort Mental Development 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration

Zen BuddhismThe “Meditation The “Meditation

School.”School.”Seeks sudden Seeks sudden

enlightenment enlightenment through meditation through meditation and focus on beauty and focus on beauty and art: and art:

Gardens.Gardens. Archery.Archery. Tea ceremony.Tea ceremony. Calligraphy.Calligraphy.

Buddhism in America

ShintoThe native religion of Japan

Origins of Shinto Shinto means “ the way of gods/spirits” Practices include:

– Reverence for Ancestors– Fierce Loyalty to others and to the nation– Polytheism

Shinto Rituals Shinto emphasizes ceremony to express

the joyful acceptance of nature. Life and death are a part of nature’s

process There is no good and evil.

SIKHISM

Sikh Beliefs The Goal– Sikhs build a close loving

relationship with God. Deity- One God who has 99 names. Reincarnation- continual rebirth back on earth Many beliefs are similar to Hinduism.

Sikh Practices Prayer several times daily. Worship: Sikhs are

prohibited from worshiping idols, images and icons.

Temples: There are over 200 Gurwaras( Shrines, Temples or holy places)

The Five K’s

Kesa- Long Hair is never cut.

Kangah- comb Kacha- short pants Kara- metal bracelets Kirpan- ceremonial

dagger.