LESSON 1:

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF CHINA

LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY

China was the largest country by population and one of the largest by
area. Chinese people called their country “Zhongguo” which means “Central
Country” or “Middle Kingdom”.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF CHINA

Perhaps the two most important geographical features of Ancient China were
the two major rivers that flowed through central China:

1. YELLOW RIVER

 It was along the banks of the Yellow river where the Chinese civilization first
formed.
 It is also called the Huang He River.
 The Yellow River is known as the "Mother River of China" and "the Cradle of
Chinese Civilization" in China, as its basin is the birthplace of the northern
Chinese civilizations and the most prosperous region in early Chinese
history.
 The Yellow River also has the name "China's Sorrow" because of the terrible
floods that have occurred throughout history when its banks overflowed.

2. YANGTZE RIVER

 Is south of the Yellow River and flows in the same direction (west to east).
 It is 3,988 miles long and is the third longest river in the world.

POPULATION

More than one-fifth of the world’s population or 1.3 billion people live in China.
The central economic are located in Beijing the Capital of China.

The current population of China is 1,416,229,396 as of Tuesday, September 18,

2018, based on the latest United Nations estimates.
 LESSON 2:
THE BEGINNINGS OF CHINA
1. PALEOLITHIC PERIOD
 A period wherein Homo erectus and Homo sapiens exist. An extinct
species closely related to modern humans. They are both appeared in
China more than one million years ago. Contrary to, some studies
showed that modern human were visible more than 200 years ago and
began to develop agriculture.
2. BRONZE AGE
 Also known as Hsia Dynasty
 A civilization emerged out of diversity. On this period writing, metal
work, agriculture, class system, politics and religions are so much
essential.
 In 1766 BC, Hsia Dynasty was overthrown by a revolutionary hero called
Tang the lord of Shang.
3. SHANG DYNASYTY
 Tang founded a dynasty led from 1766-1122 BC. This dynasty focuses on
the central part of China and brings writing system to the ancestors of
Modern Chinese. Tang also pinpoints the cultural advances such as
bronze casting, calendar and religious rituals.
4. THE CHOU/ZHOU DYNASTY
 Wu Wang founded the famous Zhou/Chou Dynasty 1122-249 BC. It is
longest dynasty in Chinese history. It is traditionally divided into two
periods: The West Chou and The Eastern Chou.
 Writings are the key principle of Chou Dynasty, so that it brings The
Shijing where in songs, hymns, rules, poems, and ceremonies are
written.
 One of the rules that the Zhou Dynasty needs to follow was the Five
Relationships.
o Between Parent and Child
o Between Husband and Wife
o Between Ruler and Subject
o Between Older brother and Younger Brother
o Between Friend and Friend
 THE GOLDEN AGE OF CHINESE PHILOSOPHY

CONFUCIUS

 The greatest philosopher in China. He was an influential Chinese

philosopher, teacher and political figure for his popular works and
teachings.

 He created the Golden Rule.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Confucius is a latinized word for Kong Fuzi a Chinese term which means
"Master Kong"
2. Confucius Personal name is "Qiu" and family name of "Kong"
3. Confucius born on September 28 551 B.C.E in state of lu (now shantung
province) in Qufu China.
4. Confucius was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of
the spring and autumn period of Chinese history.
5. Kong Fuzi founded Confucianism during Zhou dynasty.

CONFUCIANISM

 Confucianism may be viewed as philosophy and religion.

 Adherents of Confucianism are called Confucians or Confucianist.

Confucius great attributes in Confucianism are his works, the

exemplification of this is the Five Classics or the Sacred Scriptures of
Confucius. This includes the Book of changes, the book of history, the book of
poetry, the Classic of Rites and the Spring and Autumn Annals/The analects.
The two important symbols in Confucianism is "the scholar" (the ru) and
water.

BOOK OF CHANGES
Focuses on predictions following type of divination called cleromancy
BOOK OF HISTORY
Composed of speeches (or prose) of royalties and ministers from Shang
and Zhou dynasty
BOOK OF POETRY
Collection of 305 songs compiled around 600 B.C.E Includes various
themes such as love, courtship, abandonment and dances.
 LESSON 3: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE CHINESE EMPIRE

CHIN DYNASTY

 Also known as warring state.

 The dynasty was the first section of the great Wall was built
which extends over 1,200 miles across China.

 Great Wall of China is the famous art work on this dynasty.

 Some scholars stated that Great Wall of China was

the largest cemetery in whole world.

THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM

 During this period of near-constant and military strife,

Buddhism found a receptive audience in China, while the
influence had arrived in China in the 1st century AD as the
religion of merchants from Central Asia.

 The founder of Buddhism was Siddhartha Gautama.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUDDHISM THAT FOLLOWS THE

TEACHINGS OF SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA

4 NOBLE TRUTHS

1. The truth of suffering

2. The truth of the cause of suffering
3. The truth of the end of suffering
4. The truth of the path that frees us from suffering

8 FOLD PATHS

1. Right understanding 5. Right livelihood

2. Right thought 6. Right effort
3. Right speech 7. Right mindfulness
4. Right action 8. Right concentratio
NIRVANA
The highest state that someone can attain a state of enlightenment, meaning a person's
individual desires and sufferings will end.

1. Mahayana Buddhism
 Mahayana is one of the two major schools of Buddhism. The name comes from a
Sanskrit term meaning “the Great Vehicle.”
 Largest major tradition of Buddhism existing today.
 Follows the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama or Gautama Buddha

2. Theravada Buddhism
 Were the most ancient branch of Buddhism still extant today and the one that
preserved the teachings of Gautama Buddha.

3. Zen Buddhism
 Is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang
dynasty.
 It was strongly influenced by Taoism/Daoism
 Daoism/Taoism
Emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao/Dao
Tao/Dao means “The Way”
4. Tibetan Buddhism
 Is the state religion of Tibet (One of the largest state/province of China)
 Tibetan Buddhism combines the essential teachings of Mahayana Buddhism and
material from an ancient/old Tibetan religion called Bon.