“Orient-ation” Of East Asia Nations of East AsiaChina, 90 percent of the land mass; 1.3 billion people make it most populated country in world, Communists took control in 1949.Japan, islands east of China (frequent invader), 127 million residentsNorth Korea, communist but leader-worship, 22.5 million people; shares Korean peninsula with… Nations of East AsiaSouth Korea, 49 million people; fought war with north in 1950s-early 1960s; now has hostile border with northTaiwan, island just off Chinese coast, 23 million residents, fighting cold war against unification with communist China History of ChinaShang Dynasty, emerged 1750 BCE, highly organized society developsChou Dynasty (1122-222 BCE), western Chou people take control; formed semi-independent states; ends with Warring States Period; Confucianism and Daoism come out of thisCh’in Dynasty (221-206 BCE), first strong central government in China, start 4,000 mile-long Great Wall of China History of ChinaHan Dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE), Confucianism becomes foundation for government and education system; trade with Europe begins; Indian missionaries bring Buddhism to ChinaPost-Han, three competing kingdoms, Buddhism spreads History of ChinaTang Dynasty (618-907), brought prosperity, made capital, Ch’ang-an (now Sian), great cultural center, Meditation and Pure Land Buddhism schools compete with ConfucianismSung Dynasty (907-1279), Confucian-educated civil servants dominate government; Neo-Confucianism combines Buddhist and Daoist philosophy with Confucianism and receives state endorsement History of ChinaYuan Dynasty (1279-1368), established by Kublai Khan and Mongol invaders, Marco Polo (1254-1324) visits at this timeMing Dynasty (1368-1644), stability, prosperity and great vases; believe culturally superior and rebuff European traders and Christian missionaries History of ChinaCh’ing Dynasty (1644-1911), Manchuria rule, occupy Taiwan in 1683. Prosperity and wealth until decline due to rapid population growth in late 18th and 19th centuriesOpium War (1839-1842), between China and Great Britain, caused by Chinese resistance to opium smuggling into China, but Great Britain won History of ChinaNan-ching treaty gives Hong Kong to Great Britain and opens some ports, massive trade in tea and silk (Hong Kong restored to China in 1997 with some degree of autonomy)China weakened by Taiping Rebellion (1851-1864), war with Japan (1894-1895) and Boxer rebellion in 1900 History of ChinaRepublic established by nationalist revolution led by Western-educated doctor, Sun Yat-sen, deposes last emperor, six year-old boy, in 1912 (“The Last Emperor”)After period of struggle, Chaing Kai-shek succeeds Sun Yat-sen as Nationalist Party head in 1925, unifies China in 1928 History of ChinaDuring World War II, Japan invades China in 1931 and controls most of country by 1938Near end of war in 1945, civil war breaks out between Nationalists and Commmunists (latter led by Mao Zedong). Commun.

1. “Orient-ation”
Of East Asia
Nations of East AsiaChina, 90 percent of the land mass; 1.3
billion people make it most populated country in world,
Communists took control in 1949.Japan, islands east of China
(frequent invader), 127 million residentsNorth Korea,
communist but leader-worship, 22.5 million people; shares
Korean peninsula with…
Nations of East AsiaSouth Korea, 49 million people; fought war
with north in 1950s-early 1960s; now has hostile border with
northTaiwan, island just off Chinese coast, 23 million residents,
fighting cold war against unification with communist China
History of ChinaShang Dynasty, emerged 1750 BCE, highly
organized society developsChou Dynasty (1122-222 BCE),
western Chou people take control; formed semi-independent
states; ends with Warring States Period; Confucianism and
Daoism come out of thisCh’in Dynasty (221-206 BCE), first
strong central government in China, start 4,000 mile-long Great
Wall of China

2. History of ChinaHan Dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE), Confucianism
becomes foundation for government and education system; trade
with Europe begins; Indian missionaries bring Buddhism to
ChinaPost-Han, three competing kingdoms, Buddhism spreads
History of ChinaTang Dynasty (618-907), brought prosperity,
made capital, Ch’ang-an (now Sian), great cultural center,
Meditation and Pure Land Buddhism schools compete with
ConfucianismSung Dynasty (907-1279), Confucian-educated
civil servants dominate government; Neo-Confucianism
combines Buddhist and Daoist philosophy with Confucianism
and receives state endorsement
History of ChinaYuan Dynasty (1279-1368), established by
Kublai Khan and Mongol invaders, Marco Polo (1254-1324)
visits at this timeMing Dynasty (1368-1644), stability,
prosperity and great vases; believe culturally superior and
rebuff European traders and Christian missionaries
History of ChinaCh’ing Dynasty (1644-1911), Manchuria rule,
occupy Taiwan in 1683. Prosperity and wealth until decline due
to rapid population growth in late 18th and 19th centuriesOpium
War (1839-1842), between China and Great Britain, caused by
Chinese resistance to opium smuggling into China, but Great
Britain won
History of ChinaNan-ching treaty gives Hong Kong to Great

3. Britain and opens some ports, massive trade in tea and silk
(Hong Kong restored to China in 1997 with some degree of
autonomy)China weakened by Taiping Rebellion (1851-1864),
war with Japan (1894-1895) and Boxer rebellion in 1900
History of ChinaRepublic established by nationalist revolution
led by Western-educated doctor, Sun Yat-sen, deposes last
emperor, six year-old boy, in 1912 (“The Last Emperor”)After
period of struggle, Chaing Kai-shek succeeds Sun Yat-sen as
Nationalist Party head in 1925, unifies China in 1928
History of ChinaDuring World War II, Japan invades China in
1931 and controls most of country by 1938Near end of war in
1945, civil war breaks out between Nationalists and
Commmunists (latter led by Mao Zedong). Communists win,
create People’s Republic of China; Nationalists flee to Taiwan.
History of ChinaCultural Revolution of 1966 represses
religions, but religion had greater freedom after death of Mao in
1976.Religion still is government controlled, religions have to
register with government, and cannot have outside
connectionsEconomic reform continues, but student-led
democracy movement crushed in 1989.
Eastern Asian worldviewHarmony: People must discover
underlying harmony in themselves and social lives; balance
between opposite forces (Yin and Yang)Disharmony causes
problems, caused by people losing sight of preexistent harmony

4. and not maintaining harmony with rituals to appease restless
spirits
East Asian worldviewGoal: harmony in this life, though also
part of afterlife. But emphasis is on this life. Harmony
continues family lineage and protects against natural and human
disasters.Means: proper rituals at altars, maintenance of de
(virtue), xiao or hisao (filial piety) for both family and empire
and ancestors
East Asian worldviewDivination – cracks on heated bones and
tortoise shells, as well as dropped sticks – determine future
eventsYin and Yang: harmony of. Yin is dark, wet, cool,
feminine; while Yang is bright, dry, warm, masculine. Both are
present in varying degrees in all creation.Harmony also
accounts for cosmic order
Confucianism
The way of virtue
ConfucianismMaster K’ung (Confucius, latin version of K’ung
fu-tzu – “Great Master K’ung”), born about 551 BCE in feudal
state of Lu Father died or was wandering soldier, raised by
single momAt 50, he said he was appointed to a high office, and
either resigned or firedWandered for 13 years, starting at 55,
teaching political and social reform

5. ConfuciusAt 67, returns to Lu and spends rest of life teaching
and editing Confucian classicsDies, discouraged, about 479
BCE, due to lack of influence on governmentsBut band of
followers remain committed to his teachings
Confucius textsAnalects (Lun Yu): reputed sayings of
Confucius, compiled after his death, one of the “Four
Books”Great Learning (Ta Hsueh), was chapter of Book of
Rites, beginning ConfucianismDoctrine of the Mean (Chung
Yung), from of Rites, relationship between humans and moral
order
Confucius textBook of Menicus, third century BCE collection
of sayings of one of Confucius’ principal disciples. First
attempt at systematic philosophical statement of Confucius’
teachingsFive Classics: Book of History, Book of Changes,
Annuals of Spring and Autumn, Book of Rites, Book of Poetry
Confucian SchoolFollowers found loose school and Book of
Filial Piety, during feudal order breakupMaster Meng (371-289
BCE) emphasized ren or jen (humaneness) interacting with I or
yi (righteousness) so a person’s position in society dictates how
humanely he is treatedXan Zi (297-238 BCE) taught li
(propriety) is most important virtue, people are born evil,
education fixes this

6. ConfucianismConfucianism, for next 2,000 years, until 1905,
became basis of Chinese education systemAlso became object of
state piety, as early as Han dynasty, emperor performed
sacrifice at grave of Confucius in 195 BCE
Neo-ConfucianismOccurred during Sung Dynasty, calling for
return to Confucianism basic principles in response to growing
Buddhism and Daoism in ChinaZhu Xi won acceptance for
Meng’s view that humans are essential good and Great
Ultimate: essence of all reality that can be studied and observed
(li becomes cosmic force) Humans have li at core
Neo-ConfucianismWang Yangming, underlying rational
principal discovered more by examining mind, than nature.
Rational principle is a guiding light, an innate bearing toward
goodness
Is Confucianism a religion?Concerned more with ordering
society than spiritual transformation (or transcendence)But
principles such as li become cosmic and spiritual (in neo-
Confucianism)Confucius transformed from teacher to spirit to
be venerated
Confucianism’s declineChina’s turn to West in early 20th
century caused Confucianism as state orthodoxy to
declineAbandoned as part of education system and worship
declinedCommunist government, after 1949, banned sacrifices

7. to Confucius and Confucian classics (considered part of feudal
system)
Confucian worldviewAll people are part of society and must
have proper social relationships for harmonyFive Basic
Relationships: parent and child, husband and wife, elder and
young brother, friend and friend, and ruler and subjectHumanity
interacts with yin and yang, has earthly and heavenly souls, & 5
elements
Confucian worldviewSocial chaos caused by breakdown in
virtue (Warring States Period). People fail to follow their social
roles. Rulers were not concerned with subject, fathers not
concerned with children (personal chord, here)World needs
Leaders of Character (jun-zi) who lead virtuous lives
Confucian worldviewThese inner virtues are:Ren or jen
(humaneness)Shu (reciprocity, Silver Rule)Hsueh, “self-
correcting wisdom”
Confucian worldview
External virtues areXiao (filial piety)Rectification of names
(right names for right roles)De (moral charisma, for leaders)
Confucian worldviewReality: life, giving, harmonious
relationships. “We are our relationships.”Humans make the Dao

8. great through their harmonious relationships (not letting the
Dao happen, like in Daoism)
Confucianism in ChinaSuppressed during Cultural Revolution of
1966, Confucius’ birth place destroyedRehabilitated in late
1970s, Cultural Revolution discredited, Confucius’ birthplace
rebuiltChinese government trying to draw on Confucianism’s
respect for authority and moral virtue to counter commercialism
Daoism
The way of the universe
DaoismPhilosophy of Daoism has died out mostly, but has
influenced Buddhism (Meditation school) and influences
Japanese religion“Teachings of the Dao”, a more religious
aspect, with spirits and rituals, survives in Taiwan and other
Chinese communities (though dormant in People’s Republic of
China). Hereditary Daoist priests conduct rituals.
DaoismLao Zi (“the old Master”) is the legendary founder of
Daoism. Questions abound whether he existed.According to 3
BCE biography, Lao Zi was born in 604 BCE, took a
government post as an adult.But he left his position as an
archivist because government and laws distort simplicity of how
humans should live.

9. DaoismWithdrew from society, but besieged by visitors. So
decided to leave society all togetherPassed through the western
gate and disappeared…But before he disappeared, the gate
keeper convinced him to write down his philosophy of life.
Dao De JingThis philosophy is now known as the Dao De Jing,
though originally known as Lao Zi, so legend of author may
have been created for the bookAlong with Bhagavad Gita, one
of the great religious literature classicsMay have been written
during Warring States period, 350-275 BCEShort work, with 81
brief chapters
Dao De JingMay have been originally a how-to-run-a-
government guide, but now interpreted with deeper,
philosophical meaningsPolitically, a failure, since no Chinese
government ever used itImpact has been its teachings of natural,
simple living
DaoismZhuang Zi (“Master Chuang” or “Chuang Tzu”),
legendary, 3 BCE author of book of same nameZhuang Zi is
second in importance after Dao De JingSays Dao can not be
understood rationally, one must let go of knowledge and words
to live harmoniously.Original, natural equality of all things
DaoismDao De Jing and Zhuang Zi seem to suggest immortality
for those who live in harmony with DaoSo religious branch of

10. Daoism rises. By second century CE, organized Daoist religious
movement, focusing on pursuit of immortality and well-being
(still continues today).
DaoismReligious Daoism: humans are microcosm of
universePhilosophical Daoism: Unmanifest Dao is source of all
reality, result of yin and yang forces interactingReligious
Daoism: emphasizes breath (qi or ch’i), creates yin/yang
dynamic. But when qi divides yin and yang, death and
disharmony occur. Harmony means life.
DaoismReligious Daoism: if one can keep the proper balance, qi
will never dissipate, and a person can become a hsien (immortal
being).Different ways to immortality: alchemy, elixir, hygienic
and dietary regime (food from five elements), breath control
and sexual practices
DaoismDaoists movements in second century competed, some
militarily, believing a new age of Dao was coming.Various
Daoist schools and indiviudal communities organized and
competed against each other for influence.
DaoismReligious Daoism has an elaborate hierarchy of spiritual
beings, organized on bureaucratic model of the Han
DynastyUnmanifest DaoPrimordial chaos or breath (qi)Three
Officials (Jade emperor, Lao Zi and the Marshal of supernatural
beingsDivine ministries in nine heavensDemons, ancestors,
humans and animals

11. Daoism worldview“He who knows does not speak; he who is
(ever ready to) speak about it does not know it.” – Dao De
JingAll humans, like a reality, are part of the cosmic process
known as Dao and yin and yang forces. Yield to the Dao for
harmonious life. Be one with the DaoResisting flow of Dao,
disharmony, when we try to establish our own, separate IDs
Daoism worldviewWhen one succumbs to illusion of unique,
permanent self, fall victim to desire and craving. Dao eventually
rolls over those types.Goal is harmony with Dao, seeing both
life and death as part of eternal Dao. Life is unending, so
actually, there is no real “goal,” because that involves striving.
Daoism worldviewAction with out assertion, motionless
movement, inactive action, etc…. (wu wei)“Be yourself.”In
governments, noninterference. In education, not seek knowledge
actively, but be passively open and receptive.Dao is the “way,”
but can not be touched, named, felt, desired (nameless and
eternal Dao) River analogy.
Modern DaoismReligious Daoism found mainly in Taiwan and
Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore (and Chinese
parts of San Francisco)Daoist monasteries were closed in
People’s Republic of China, but individual Daoist practices –
“hell notes” and tai-ch’i – still practiced, as well as feng shui

12. Modern DaoismIn East Asia, philosophical Daoism largely
absorbed into meditation school of Buddhism.Dao De Jing,
though, still exists and read in East and West