During the Tang Dynasty in China, Buddhism entered through the Mahayana strand and formed monasteries that provided social benefits but called for celibacy. Chan Buddhism developed with two approaches - koan study or silent illumination. Koans posed paradoxical questions to induce enlightenment. The theory of double truth acknowledged existence and non-existence. Confucianism was influenced by Buddhism but argued for moral standards and social harmony. Daoism felt overshadowed by Buddhism's popularity and attempted to copy aspects of it but ultimately embraced a more mystical approach.

1. Tang Dynasty Religions
Ch-ch-ch-changes
a slightly irreverent look at what happens in China

2. Buddhism
• Mahayana Strand enters China
• Monasteries form and are popular--social
benefits for local people
• but calls for celibacy and cutting family ties
• meets Daoist thought and...

3. Chan Buddhism
two ways to do it, either directed study of koans or
silent illumination

4. Koan
What does your face look like before you are born if
no one can see it?
What is the sound of one hand clapping?
Where is the space between a sound ending and a new
one beginning?

5. Modern Koan
If a tree falls in the woods and there is no person there
to hear it, does it make a sound?
If you are in a car, traveling at the speed of light, and
you turn on your headlights, does anything happen?

6. Theory of the double
Truth
Truth is present; existence and non-existence are
present. So where does truth reside? Then same
question for enlightenment

7. A good deed entails no
retribution
action without effort (natural and spontaneous actions)
meets Karma

8. Enlightenment comes
from deliberate and
purposeful effort and
natural living
wait, but you just said...
Yep. Paradox

9. Enlightenment is
sudden
though you should spend time in non-active
contemplation, Enlightenment is a sudden switch

10. Words are useful but
limited
You can’t really describe enlightenment. Words are but
an approximation of the idea.

11. There is no other
reality than this world
Enlightened people see the hidden “buddha nature” of
the world. Ordinary folks just see physical objects.

12. Confucianism doesn’t
like this stuff much
But is influenced by it...

13. Neo-Confucianism!
c’mon people, they aren’t that creative a group of
philosophers...

14. Argues for moral
standards, family
personal behavior and
social harmony

15. Argues also about the
nature of reality
Two elements: Li (the essence or Form) and Qi: the
material version of the item. Paging Dr. Plato...

16. Admits there is a soul
but what is it? is it metaphysical? does it connect us to a
cosmic family structure?

17. Daoism gets bitter
Why is Buddhism so popular? Why aren’t we popular
like Buddhism? How can we be more popular?

18. Tries first for a rip-off
Dharma=Dao, Nirvana=wuwei...we can do monasteries
too...we can be celibate too...

19. Doesn’t work, so
becomes more mystical
We can be immortal if we just eat the right
combination of herbs and
spices...mmm...mushrooms....dude.....the Way is all
around us, man....