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Beliefs in Modern China: 

Beliefs in Modern China -----Confucianism and Taoism Hongmei Wang China

Introduction:: 

Introduction: Confucianism and Taoism as Belief Systems Rooted in the Chinese Soil

Confucianism: 

Confucianism The History and Development of Early Confucianism and The Spread of Confucianism The Themes in Confucian Thought and the Influence in Modern China Ritual Relationships Filial Piety Loyalty Debates Promotion of Corruption Is Confucianism a Religion?

What does Confucianism mean?: 

What does Confucianism mean? Literally, it means ‘the school of the scholars’ or the teaching of Confucius’. It is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of Confucius. It is a complex system of moral, social, political, and religious thought which has had tremendous influence on the history of Chinese civilization up to the 21st century.

The Analects of Confucius: 

The Analects of Confucius It relates his sayings and discussions with rulers and disciples in short passages. Instead of relying on deductive reasoning to convince his listeners, he used figures of rhetoric such as analogy and aphorism to explain his ideas. Here are some examples. A) Virtue is not left to stand alone . B) It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family . C) Isn’t it a pleasure to have friends coming from afar ? D) Study the past if you would define the future. E) He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it. F). Men’s natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.

Ritual: 

Ritual Ritual was originally signified’ to sacrifice’ in a religious ceremony. In Confucianism, the term means politeness which colours everyday life. Ritual was treated as an all-embracing system of norms. Rituals divide people into categories and build hierarchical relationships through ceremonies, assigning everyone a place in society and a form of behaviour.

Relationships: 

Relationships Relationship is one theme central to Confucianism. Relationship stresses the differing duties arising from the different status one held in relation to others. Individuals are held to simultaneously stand in different degrees of relationship with different people, namely, as a junior in relation to their parents and elders, and as a senior in relation to their children, young siblings, students, and others. Juniors are considered to owe strong duties of reverence and service to their seniors, and meanwhile seniors also have duties and benevolence and concern towards juniors.

Filial Piety: 

Filial Piety Filial Piety is considered among the greatest virtues and must be shown towards both the living and the dead. The term’ filial’ means the respect and obedience that a child , originally a son, should show to his parents, esp. to his father. This relationship was then extended to a series of five relationships. ruler and subject Father and son Husband and wife Elder and younger brother Between friends In ancient times, filial piety was built into Chinese legal system, e.g. a criminal would be punished more harshly if he had committed the crime against a parent.

Loyalty: 

Loyalty Loyalty is the equivalent of filial piety on a different plane, between ruler and minister. It was particularly relevant for the social class to which most of Confucius ‘s students belonged, because the only way for an ambitious young scholar to make his way in the Confucian Chinese world was to enter a ruler’s civil service. However, loyalty was often subverted by the autocratic regimes of ancient China. In later ages, emphasis was placed more on the obligations of the ruled to the ruler, and less on the ruler’s obligations to the ruled.

Taoism: 

Taoism The History of Taoism The Concepts and Practices Yin and Yang Tai Chi The Influence of Taoism in People’s Republic of China

The History of Taoism: 

The History of Taoism Tao can be roughly translated into English as path or the way. It has to be experienced. It means the power which envelops, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-living. The Tao regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. It embodies the harmony of the opposites, e.g. there would be no love without hate, no light without dark, no male without female. It has been taken as a kind of philosophy of human life.

Lao Tse as the founder of Taoism: 

Lao Tse as the founder of Taoism Lao Tse (604-531 BC) , a contemporary of Confucius. He was searching for a way that would avoid the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that disrupted society during his time. Many people believe that he is a mythical character. Taoism started as a combination of psychology and philosophy but evolved into a religious faith in 440 BC when it was adopted as a state religion. And Lao Tse became popularly respected as a deity. Taoism has about 20 million followers and is centred in Taiwan. Taoism has had a significant impact on North American culture in areas of acupuncture, herbalism, meditation and martial arts…

Concepts and Practices: 

Concepts and Practices Tao is the first course of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life. Each believer’s goal is to harmonize himself with the Tao. Taoists strongly promote health and vitality. Five main organs and orifices of the body correspond to the five parts of the sky: water, fire, wood, mental, and earth. Each person must nurture the Chi( air, breath) that has been given to them. Development of virtue is one’s chief task. The three Jewels to be sought are compassion, moderation and humility. Taoism advocates the art of ‘wu wei’, which is to let nature take its course. One should plan in advance and consider carefully each action before making it.

Yin and Yang: 

Yin and Yang It represents the balance of opposites in the universe. When Yin and Yang are equally present, all is calm. One tradition states that Yin( the dark side) represents the breath that formed the earth. Yang( the light side) symbolizes the breath that formed the heavens. Feng Shui

Tai Chi: 

Tai Chi Tai Chi means the involvement by Taoists in various exercise and movement techniques. Tai Chi works on all parts of the body and stimulates the central nervous system, lowers blood pressure, relieves stress and gently tones muscles without strain. Tai Chi also enhances digestion, elimination of wastes and the circulation of blood. Tai Chi’s rhythmic movements massage the internal organs and improve their functionality.

The Differences between Confucianism and Taoism: 

The Differences between Confucianism and Taoism Confucianism as a traditional belief; while Taoism as a religion Confucianism stresses repairing social order and social relationships. Taoism is interested in the relationship of the individual with the natural universe.