Ancient Chinese Belief Systems Research Task

Ancient China was influenced by three phenomenal and lasting philosophical and religious traditions. The effects of the philosophical social duty of Confucianism and the peaceful teachings of Daoism emerged during the Warring States period when neighbouring regions of area would gather their warriors and fight each other for wealth, power and estate. Buddhism dawned in China over 500 years later when China deviously invaded India and brought the illuminating and satisfactory religion with them on their return. Such beliefs existed in Ancient China for many centuries and they were not destroyed by the arrival of new beliefs. It is remarkable that in China, unlike most civilisations, different philosophies and religions were tolerated and generally people were not persecuted for the belief of foreign religions. This tolerance was due to the inspiration of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism that have encouraged a tranquil environment.

Chinese Inscription of Daoism

Chinese Inscription of Confucianism

Chinese Inscription of Buddhism

Laozi

Buddha

Confucius

Daoism
Daoism (otherwise known as Taoism) is a philosophical and religious tradition that emphasises living in harmony with the Dao. The term Dao means way, path or principle and underlies the universe and is found in all things. Even though it is part of all things, it is greater than all things - ultimate reality. Dao (pronounced dow) can also be found in other Chinese philosophies and religions other than Daoism. Daoism is one of the three prodigious indigenous philosophical traditions of China. Daoism corresponds to both Daojia (Dao family), an early Han dynasty (c. 100 BCE) term that describes the renowned philosophical texts and thinkers such as the inspiring Laozi (otherwise known as Lao Tze), who conveyed various philosophies and teachings that are essential to the life of the Ancient Chinese Daoists. Daoism commenced when Laozi, the Supreme Master, who lived in the same time as the renowned Confucius in the 6th century BCE. One day he left his job and rode off west on an ox. At a mountain pass the guardian asked him to write down his teachings of Daoism in scrolls and left a statue figure of an ox on the scrolls. All Daoist teachings are depicted in these three ancient primary sources in the form of scrolls. The Daodejing, Zhuangzi and the Liezi scrolls were interpreted by numerous historians and scholars that eventually discovered the Dao of living for Ancient Chinese residents. More than 5 million people in China, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam practice Daoism to this current day. The act of Tai Chi Chuan, a set of very controlled exercises at a low velocity, is a form meditation and physical exercise. Many people acknowledge the memorable Daoist activity and practice Tai Chi Chuan and other Daoist activities. Daoism focus on understanding the nature of reality, increasing their longevity, ordering life morally, practicing rulership and regulating consciousness and diet. Fundamental Daoist ideas and concerns consist of wuwei (effortless action), ziran (naturalness), how to become a shengren (sage) or zhenren (realised person) and the ineffable Dao itself. These teachings define that everything in nature works in harmony and teaches people should visualise themselves as a part of nature and that they will find happiness, health and prosperity by following the Dao. Daoists believed that they should live in harmony, merge with the Dao, free their soul and become an immortal deity that were believed to have supernatural powers. They worship forces of nature such as the sun, moon, stars and tides. Daoists believe that good actions will mean a better life for their soul so the Daoists followed rules and guides for living. They are not allowed to tell lies, steal, commit adultery, commit murder, or drink alcohol. They are encouraged to obey elders, love parents, tolerate anything, to give, maintain high physical and mental nutrition and control. This Daoist symbol is the Yin Yang that symbolises the harmonious interaction of the two opposing forces in the universe, male (yin) and female (yang). It is evidential that Daoism had a notable contribution to the modern world and had a lasting impression on Ancient Chinese people and their beliefs.

Buddhism
Buddhism had a phenomenal effect on Ancient China and its beliefs. Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who would become Buddha or Awakened One, was a famous prince in Ancient India. Born in 553 BCE, his life was filled with loving parents, expensive material, clothing and even a palace for his own reign. Yet, he was startled by the many sufferings in the world. He despised old age, pain, death and illness that were a dominant feature of the world. On a specific day, he left his belongings and loved ones to become a monk after meeting another monk who inspired him as this certain monk could find peace and tranquillity in a world of such suffering. For the succeeding six years, he ventured through India. Despite the numerous solutions he found, none allowed him to understand the world. Under a fig tree, he finally discovered the true understanding that was a way to end all of this suffering. From this day on, he became known as Buddha. He called this understanding the Four Noble Truths that consisted of four sayings that explained the sufferings. These were life is filled with suffering, suffering is caused by peoples want, suffering can cease if people stop wanting and to stop wanting things people must follow the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a list of laws consisting of To know the truth Intend to resist evil Not say anything of offence to others Respect life, property and morality To work at a job that does not harm others Free ones mind from evil Be in control of feelings and thoughts Practice appropriate forms of concentration Buddha dedicated the rest of his life until his death in 483 BCE to sharing and influencing others in India to follow him and many still carry on his tradition. Many gave everything and fulfilled their potential as a human being becoming Buddhist and passing the message. Buddhism values love, wisdom, goodness, calm, and self-control. Buddhists believe that The Buddha and his teachings should be honoured, that people should try to end suffering, that they should follow the Eightfold Path. In T'ang times, people thought of Buddhism as a chart of behaviour that they could follow to lead them to a life beyond the grave. There are two branches of Buddhism Theravada (the original, traditional practice of Buddhism covering Buddhas original teachings) and Mahayana (Zen, Tibetan and other specific types of practices.) Buddhism dawned in China through the Silk Road around 500 CE. Buddhism was accepted in China because there were many kingdoms or feudal states. Many Ancient Chinese people became monks and nuns and left their lives to become Buddhist. Another form of Buddhism known as Zen Buddhism emerged in China as well and this emphasised dhyana or meditation. Under the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism strived building colossal monasteries and many people became monks and nuns. In 845 CE, when the successor of the Tang, Emperor Wuzong, turned against Buddhism and its beliefs. He raided all Buddhists including the monasteries that contained valuable items that he kept. He wanted China to be Daoist therefore he tried to begin a whole Daoist saga but was unable due to his death, ceasing the persecution and allowing Buddhism to become popular once more.

Buddhism, today, is a major world religion with over 300 million Buddhists worldwide. Buddhism allowed for Ancient Chinese to accept suffering but to cease it as well. It had a lasting role on Ancient China and its beliefs.

Confucianism

The various beliefs that have motivated the people that resided in Ancient China but few were to have such an impacting effect as the teachings of Confucius and his astounding beliefs. Confucianism was founded by Confucius, which is the Latinised version of Kung Fu-tzu. Born in 551 BCE in Qufu in the Lu state of China in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. In this time, the Western Zhou Dynasty had collapsed and the emergence of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty had just commenced and although there were features of supreme prosperity and an uprise in economy, the Eastern Zhou Dynasty was slowly but surely deteriorating. The Warring States period also had a major effect on Ancient China. It was a time when all the numerous states gathered their warriors and fought each other for reign, power and for estate. Confucius resolved these times and conflicts using his teachings and beliefs that put everyone in line and prepared the residents for the future. As Confucius believed, each and every person had a specific and certain duties to fulfil their maximum potential. He thought if people had guidelines on how to behave and act, they would obey them and act correctly. Therefore he set up 5 relationships consisting of (1) ruler and subject, (2) father and son, (3) elder brother and younger brother, (4) husband and wife and (5) friend and friend. All of these relationships depict that someone has power or authority over the other, despite the last. It demonstrates how people should respect elders and give obedience. Although this is explored, it also illustrates that the superior owes loving responsibility to the inferior. This teaching of superior and inferior is known as filial piety. Family played yet another a considerable role for Ancient Chinese culture. Confucius described it as a training ground for society. The family prepares its members to behave decorously and how to act in society. It educates them on what is right and wrong and how to behave. The major principles expressed in Confucianism are ren (humanity and benevolence) which signifies preeminent charcter in accord with li (ritual norms), zhong (loyalty to true nature, shu (reciprocity) and xiao (filial piety). Confucius did not wish to look for a paradise in the next world; he rather wanted to have a paradise on earth such as: when Dao prevails, the world will become common to all. The people will elect virtuous and talented persons for the government; and they will promote good faith and friendship. Thus men will not consider only their own parents as their parents, nor treat only their own children as their children. The aged will find a meaningful life till their death; the able persons are fully employed; and the young are provided with upbringing; and the forlorn and helpless people, the disabled and the sick, will all be supported by the state. Every man will have his own rights and every woman her own belongings. They hate to see goods lying about in waste, yet they do not hoard them for themselves. They dislike the thought that their energies are not fully used; yet they use them not for egoistic ends. Therefore, all evil plotting is prevented in advance and rebels do not arise. Thus, perfect security will prevail everywhere; people can leave their outer gates unchecked. He visioned a place of equity, peace and was filled with prosperity and behaviour. This is called the Great Unity and allowed for social

harmony and manner. He was considered an extraordinary thinker as he persevered and thought in ways a normal man wouldnt think. He influenced and provided hope and manner, even in times of conflict and uprising. Confucianism was not a religion but a way of developing behaviour skills and moral character. His ideas are practiced to this day and are applied to our modern world effectively.

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