The early Chinese religions were polytheistic and animistic, believing in multiple gods and spirits that controlled nature and the universe. They believed in the balance of yin and yang forces and practiced ancestor veneration and divination. As Chinese society declined, Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism emerged, developing further concepts like filial piety, living simply and in harmony with the Tao, and an idealized feudal system. Traditional Chinese holidays focused on renewal, ancestors, and harvests. Throughout history, Chinese governments have attempted to control and suppress religion but have become more open since Mao's time.

1. Chapter Eight
Chinese Religions

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Basic Chinese Religious Concepts
Recognition of Multiple Gods and Spirits
•The earliest Chinese religions were based
on multiple gods and spirits that controlled
the universe
•They were polytheistic and animistic and
were particularly concerned with the gods of
Heaven and Earth
•There were also local deities

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Basic Chinese Religious Concepts
Ying and Yang
•The universe operated because of the
balance of yin and yang
– Yin was the negative force in nature
• Darkness, Coolness, Femaleness
– Yang was the positive force
• Brightness, Warmth, Maleness
•Everything in the universe was a
combination of those forces

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Basic Chinese Religious Concepts
Filial Piety and Ancestor Worship
•Throughout history, the Chinese engaged
in ancestor veneration, or the respect for
and veneration of aged members of the
family
•The term “old” in Chinese society is seen
as a sign of respect and a great compliment

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Basic Chinese Religious Concepts
Divination
•The early Chinese believed that the
universe allowed for future events to be
predicted
•The Chinese used the shells of tortoises or
stalks of grain for divination
– I Ching

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Basic Chinese Religious Concepts
Development of Belief in the Shang Ti
•In the eleventh century, the Chou rules
started to assert that the right to rule had to
be based on morality and religion
•They further asserted that one supreme
god controlled the destinies of all of mankind
– Shang Ti
– He rewarded moral behavior

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Basic Chinese Religious Concepts
Decline of the Feudal System
•The feudal system began to break down
between the 8th and 3rd centuries B.C.E.
•Lords were no longer able to protect their
vassals from foreign invasion
•Three Chinese schools then entered the
picture:
– Confucianism, Legalists, and Taoism

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Taoism
The Life of Lao-tzu
•Lao-tzu is the founder of Taoism, although
some scholars doubt that he was a real
historical figure
•Legend has it that Lao-tzu sought to leave
the country but was not allowed to go until
he wrote down the sum of his wisdom – the
Tao Tê Ching

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Taoism
The Tao Tê Ching
•The Tao Tê Ching is one of the most
influential books in Chinese literature
– It has been translated more than any other
book aside from the Bible
•The theme of the Tao Tê Ching is that all
human achievements are folly, especially
elaborate governments

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Taoism
Teachings of the Early Taoist Philosophers
•The themes of early Taoism are:
– The unity behind the universe is a mysterious
and undefinable force called the Tao
• “Tao” is sometimes defined as the way of the
universe
– Life is the greatest of all possessions
– Life is to be lived simply
– Pomp and glory are to be despised

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Taoism
Schools that Rivaled the Early Taoists
•Confucians
– An idealized feudal system is the best system
of government
•Legalists
– Government should do good for the majority
•Mohists
– Government should follow traditional Chinese
religion that teaches love and pacificity

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Taoism
Later Development of Taoism
•Taoism was basically concerned with living
life in harmony with the Tao
– An offshoot of Taoism took the Tao concept
and tried to use it to seek immortality
– Alchemy was also used as a popular method
for seeking to extend life
•Taoism has continued to have a hold on
common people through the present time

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Confucianism
The Life of Confucius
•Confucius, a Westernized name, was
actually called Kung and his disciples called
him K’ung Fu-tzu
•Confucius was born in 550 B.C.E. to a
wealthy family who had become poor during
the decline of the feudal states
•Confucius showed interest in government
as a student

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Confucianism
The Life of Confucius
•Confucius became a teacher and
particularly taught principles of good
government
•At age fifty, Confucius was asked to join the
government and put his principles to work
•After retirement, he wrote classical texts

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Confucianism
The Teachings of Confucius
•There are debates about whether
Confucius created a religion or was an
atheist
•But he basically believed that, although
gods existed, they were secondary to an
equitable social order

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Confucianism
The Teachings of Confucius
•Confucius taught several themes:
– The course of life as it is intended to go (Li)
– Five basic relationships in life:
• Father-son; elder brother-younger brother;
husband-wife; elder-junior; and ruler-subject
– We should pursue Jen or love and good-
heartedness

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The Development of Confucianism
• After Confucius’ death, his disciples
scattered and spread his message
• Interpretations of Confucius’ works by
Mencius and Hsün Tzŭ helped to keep his
words alive
• In addition to acting as an education
theory, a cult of Confucius himself
developed during the Han dynasty

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Traditional Chinese Holidays
• Chinese New Year
– Occurs at the end of January and is
associated with a new animal each year
– Emphasizes cleaning and renewal
• Pure and Bright Festival
– Families clean and reorder the ancestors’
graves in preparation for spring
• The Dragon Boat Festival
– Celebrates summer with boat races

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Traditional Chinese Holidays
• All Souls’ Day
– Souls are released in a kind of purgatory, and
families can make offerings to them
• Autumn Harvest Festival
– Includes the reading of poetry and viewing the
full moon
• Winter Holidays
– The renewal of the universe

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Religion in China Today
• Throughout history, Chinese governments
have attempted to control religion
• Particularly during the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries, religious and political
conflicts an natural disasters have created
chaos in much of China
– In 1949, China underwent a Marxist revolution
and became the People’s Republic of China

21. Religion in China Today
• The Marxist government told citizens that
they had freedom of religion
– But the Marxist government sought to
suppress religious belief – especially from
outsiders like Christians and Muslims
• Since Mao’s death, the government has
become more open to religion
– But to be officially recognized, religions must
accept official censorship
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