Chinese Philosophies (Notes)

religion
set of beliefs based on the wisdom of God (faith)

philosophy
set of beliefs based on the wisdom of the mind (logic)

Goals of Confucius
bring order to society
make government efficient
find harmony in self

Confucian values
#1 virtue= filial piety
honesty
hard work
empathy (concern for others)
education (better self, better society)

5 relationships
father to son
ruler to subject
friend to friend
husband to wife
elder brother to younger brother
-superiors provide care and good example
-inferiors owe loyalty and obedience
-women rarely left home

Confucian Rulers
educated men
if provide good government, subjects will be respectful and loyal

Confucian ideas on Hard Work
try again after failing
learn by doing
always continue to learn

Confucian ideas on Conflict
before acting, think of consequences
revenge hurts you as much as the person on whom you are inflicting revenge
be prepared before going into battle

Confucian ideas on School & Work
you can always learn something new
study the past to help with the future
if you love what you do, it won't feel like work

Confucian ideas on Other Stuff
choose your friends wisely
always try to be the best
be careful what you say/who you say it to

Filial Piety
respect for parents and elders

Relationship between men and women (Confucianism)
men are superior, women are inferior

Civil Service Exams
tests that proved who was most capable of doing a job

Worshipped ancestors (Confucianism)
ritual/rule of Confucianism

Hanfeizi
creator of Legalism
believed GREED caused CONFLICT

Legalism
achieve order by:
passing strict laws
imposing HARSH punishments

1st priority- good of country
2nd priority- good of individuals

#1 virtue of Legalism
strength

Major achievements during Legalist rule
Great Wall of China
Grand Canal
Terra Cotta Soldiers

Roles for men (Legalism)
farmers or soldiers

Daoism
'The Unspoken Way'

Founder of Daoism
Lao Tzu ('Old Master')

Goals of Daoism
live in harmony with nature by finding positive Qi
end conflict between human desires and the simple ways of nature

Qi
energy

#1 virtue of Daoism
yielding

Relationship between Daoism and Government
Daoists shunned society (hermits, artists, poets)
viewed government at 'unnatural' and the cause of many problems

Feng Shui
use of natural art, color, and placement of items to help people harness positive Qi flow in their homes

Tai Chi
'Supreme Ultimate Fist'
Martial art, designed to achieve positive Qi through:
health
meditation
martial arts

Founder of Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama
'Buddha'='Enlightened One'

Main beliefs of Buddhism
people attempt to live/think right to achieve Nirvana
reject the idea of a 'Divine Creator' and/or Caste system
seek 'the Middle Way' in life
do not strive to gain material goods

Effects of Buddhism on Chinese people
prohibited lying, stealing, killing of any living thing
temples and monasteries built throughout China
meditation became popular activity
persecuted by Legalist government

#1 virtue of Buddhism
compassion for all living things

The Eightfold Path
resist evil
respect life
free your mind of evil
work for the good of others
control your thoughts
practice meditation
say nothing to hurt others
know the truth

Nirvana
salvation, eternal happiness
reached by prayer and good acts
monasteries become centers of learning and art

reincarnation
escape from suffering

Lhasa, Tibet
spiritual center of Buddhism in China
wants freedom from Chinese rule

Dalai Lama
leader of Buddhism
chased out of region

Potala Palace
in Lhasa, Tibet
home of Dalai Lama

Analects
book where Confucius' students collected his teachings

Tao Te Ching (The Way of Virtue)
book written by Lao Tzu (founder of Daosim)

Origin of Buddhism
India (via Silk Road)
similar to Daoism and Confucianism

stupa
dome shaped Buddhist Shrine with Tibetan prayer flags and wheels