Chinese religion is a syncretic tradition combining elements of animism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Early Chinese religion involved polytheism, ancestor worship, and a focus on morality. Daoism and Confucianism later developed as schools of thought addressing societal problems. Daoism teaches that life should be lived simply in harmony with the mysterious force of Tao. Confucianism focuses on social order and ethics. The Chinese government has tried to regulate this complex religious system over time.

1. Do now: 3 minutes
 Take a notecard from the front. Do all of
your DO NOWs on it today for a grade.
 DO NOW: When you think of Chinese
religion(s), what comes to your mind?

2. We will
1. Learn how Chinese religion combines
animism, Daoism, Confucianism &
Buddhism
2. Explore historical developments of this
syncretic tradition
3. Discover ways Chinese govt has tried to
regulate religion

3. Difficulties in studying
 Syncretic
 Emperor story
 Temples = shared
 Govt

4. History
 Earliest history to Shang dynasty (11th
century BC) was
 polytheistic
 ancestor worship
 Chou dynasty (11th century BC) until
common era had
 one supreme god above other gods
and spirits
 focus on morality
Lao-Tzu
Confucious

5. History, cont
 CE – 11th century Buddhism & Taoism
developed
 11th century – present = eclectic synthesis

6. Basic Chinese Religious Concepts
 Multiple gods & spirits
 Focus on gods of heaven & earth
 Local deities & spirits

7. Basic concepts
 Yin Yang
Yin Yang
Darkness Brightness
Coolness Warmth
Femaleness Maleness
Dampness Dryness
Moon Sun

8. Basic concepts
 Filial Piety & Ancestor Worship
 Old & aged = worthy of respect
 Life begins at 60
 Aged rule the home
 Children support elders
 Give elders proper burial
 Maintain grave sites

9. Basic concepts
 Ancestor worship
 Ancestors can help family after death
 Forget ancestors and you may become
a homeless ghost
 Forget ancestors and you may be
afflicted by dangerous spirits
 Small shrine in home w/names and
deeds of previous generations
Offerings of wine & rice
Paper money

10. Basic concepts
 Divination
 Unity of universe means future is
predictable
 One way to tell future by looking at shell
of tortoise
 I Ching

11. Basic concepts
 Shang Ti (Supreme God)
 Chou dynasty – 11th century BC
 Right to rule based on morality and
religion
 One Supreme God controlled destiny of
humankind
Responsible for fall of previous
dynasty – they were bad
 Govt should be based on virtue

12. Decline of feudal system
 By 3rd century BC, feudal system declining
 New schools of thought (Confucianism,
Taolism, Legalism) to address problems of
society

13. Taoism
 Lao-Tzu (old master)
 6th century BC
 50 years before Confucius
 Left life at royal court to seek nature
 Gatekeeper: write Tao Te Ching

14. Tao Te Ching
 “The Classic of the Way and Its Power and
Virtue”
 81 chapters of poetry
 Debate over author/s
 Theme: Folly of human achievement,
especially govt

15. Do Now: True or False 2 minutes
1. Chinese religion focuses on one supreme
god.
2. Some Chinese religion focuses on
morality and one supreme god.
3. Lao-tzu’s nickname meant “Silly old goat”
4. Chinese religion generally allows its
followers to be Buddhist and Confucius at
the same time.
5. The govt system in China has affected its
religious movements.

16. Do Now: Finish the statement
4 minutes
1. Lao-tzu __________________________.
2. Taoism __________________________.
3. _____________ is important to many
Chinese religious practices.
4. Early ________________, believed
_____________________.
5. Yin and yang ____________________.

17. Early Taoist Teaching
 Basic unity of universe is mysterious force
called Tao – “The Way” yet impossible to
define
 Life is greatest of all possessions (fame,
wealth power will all decay)
 Life is to be lived simply
 Pomp & glory are to be despised

18. Later Taoist Developments
 One group followed teachings of LaoTzu
(not popular appeal)
 Another group looking for very long life
 Properly attuned to the Tao = long life
 Food, fasting, breath control
 Alchemy – preserve life via minerals
 Persecution between Taoists/Buddhists,
then merging to common religion

19. Confucianism
 Debate about religion
 Life – 551 BC - 497
 Kung
 Kung Fu-tzu (Kung the master)
 Analects of Confucius
 Childhood
 Teens – govt worker
 Twenties – teacher
 50s – prime minister
 55 – retired, then wandering teacher

20. Confucian Teaching
 Focus on social order
 Religion should not interfere with social
duty
 System of ethics

21. Confucian Teaching
 Central Themes
 Li – properties, rites, ceremonies,
courtesy
 Five Lis
Father to son
Elder brother to younger brother
Husband to wife
Elder to junior
Ruler to subject

22. Confucian Teaching
 Jen – inward expression of Confucian
ideals – love, goodness, human-
heartedness
 Reciprocity – “Do not do to others what
you would not want others to do to you.”
 Humans are naturally good
 People need good government so that
they can be good
 Good conduct is its own reward