The -ismsBuddhism, Daoism,

Confucianism

Use this powerpoint to write Cornell notes “The 3 –isms of China”

Copy the UNDERLINED facts!!!

Confucianism• His Chinese name is

Kongfuzi.• He lived from 551-479

BC during the Zhou Dynasty.

• Although he was raised in poverty he was able to get an excellent education. He became China’s greatest teacher!

His Teachings• Confucius was upset by the rude and

dishonest people of China. He was also troubled by the disorder of the late Zhou period.

• He said that the Chinese must return to ethics, or moral values.

• His goal was to restore order to family life and society that would bring harmony in society.

Appropriate Behavior• Confucius was very

concerned with proper behavior.

• He said Ren, concern for others, and Li, appropriate behavior should be guiding principles.

• If everyone followed Ren and Li society would be in harmony.

• What “rule” does Ren/Li sound familiar too?

5 Main Relationships• Confucius taught there were 5

main relationships: 1. Husband and wife, 2. Parent and child, 3. sibling and sibling, 4. friend and friend and 5. subject and ruler.

• All relationships are based on 2 ideas: loyalty and one person is in authority and must be respected.

Confucius says . . .• Confucius’s ideas were

passed down through his students and later recorded in The Analects.

• “Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.”

• Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.

• Respect yourself and others will respect you.

Neo-Confucianism• During the Tang Dynasty, the Chinese became

interested in the teachings of Confucius because they wanted to improve China.

• The Song Dynasty developed Neo-Confucianism or a new type of Confucianism.

• Neo-Confucianism was based on the original ideas of Confucius but emphasized the spiritual teachings of Buddha and Daoist concepts about the meaning of life.

• Neo-Confucianism was the official government teaching of the Song Dynasty.

Meritocracy• During the Song Dynasty, the meritocracy system

determined how people would get important government jobs.

• Meritocracy is a system in which status is gained by ability and effort.

• In order to become a scholar-official, a student had to pass an extremely difficult examination based on the teachings of Confucius and the history of China. The test required years of studying with private tutors.

• Once you passed the test you became a scholar-official and were rewarded with an elite government job.

• The meritocracy system ensured that only talented, intelligent and hard working people worked in government.

Daoism• Laozi was the most

famous Daoist philosopher. He believed people should not try to gain power or wealth.

•There are many myths about Laozi, one is that he was born as an old man. He is worshipped as a supernatural being.

Teachings of Laozi• “Dao” = “The Way”• Laozi stressed living in harmony with

the Dao, the guiding force of all reality. • Daoists believe people should not

interfere with nature or each other. They should be like water and let things flow in a natural way.

• People should study nature to discover the Dao.

Daoism and Government• The ideal leader should be a wise

man who governs so effortlessly his people would not even know they were being governed.

• The government should not interfere and there should not be rules. People should do the right thing to stay in harmony with the Dao.

Universal Balance• Daoism believes the

universe is a balance of opposites called Yin & Yang: female/male, light/dark, low/high.

• Each opposing force should be in harmony with each other.

Government• Moral leadership, not laws, brought

order to China.• A king should lead by example,

inspiring good behavior in all of his subjects.

• The lower classes would learn by following the example of their superiors.

Buddhism • Siddhartha Guatama Buddha was born in 563 BC in Nepal.

• He was a privileged prince that was unsatisfied with life.

• He went on a journey to discover the cause of pain and suffering.

Buddha’s Enlightenment• After 7 years of questioning,

fasting and meditating he achieved enlightenment while sitting under the Bodhi Tree.

His Teachings• Borrows from the Hindu Religion• There are no gods • The core of his teachings is the Four

Noble Truths.• 1st Noble Truth:

“Suffering is a part of human life. No one can escape sorrow.”

• 2nd Noble Truth: “Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material goods.”

• 3rd Noble Truth:“People can overcome desire and ignorance and reach nirvana, a state of perfect peace.”

• 4th Noble Truth:“People can overcome desire by following an 8-Fold Path that

leads to Enlightenment.

The 8-Fold Path

Reincarnation• Reincarnation is the rebirth of the soul

in a new body either closer to or farther away from Nirvana.

• When a person achieves Enlightenment, their body enters Nirvana at death ending the cycle of reincarnation.

• “Buddha” is a title for a person who achieves Nirvana.

1. Who said it?• “Like a spider caught in its own

web is a person driven by fierce cravings. Break out of the web, and turn away from the world of sensory pleasure and sorrow.”

In your own words, what does this statement mean? Who do you think said it, the Buddha, Confucius, or Laozi?

3. Who said it?• “The more laws and edicts (official

rules) are imposed, the more thieves and bandits there will be.”

In your own words, what does this statement mean? Who do you think said it, the Buddha, Confucius, or Laozi?

2. Who said it?• “Highest good is like water. Because

water excels in benefiting the myriad (numerous) creatures without contending (having conflict) with them and settles where none would like to be, it comes close to the Way.”

In your own words, what does it mean? Who do you think said it, the Buddha, Confucius or Laozi?

4. Who said it?• “Be respectful at home, serious at

work, faithful in human relations. Even if you go to uncivilized areas, these virtues (good qualities) are not to be abandoned.”

In your own words, what does this statement mean? Who do you think said it, the Buddha, Confucius, or Laozi?

Friday • Out of the 3 philosophies (or –

isms!) that we have studied, which one do you think is the most likely to meet the overall goal of creating a peaceful, stable and harmonious society? WHY?

• Please answer in a complete paragraph using cursive!