This document provides an overview of ancient Chinese religions including Taoism and Confucianism. It discusses how ancient Chinese were polytheistic and animistic, focusing on gods of heaven and earth. By the 8th century, China moved toward monotheism worshipping the high god Shang Ti. Taoism emerged in the 6th century BC based on the teachings of Laozi who wrote the Tao Te Ching. Taoism focuses on living simply and blending with the undefinable Tao force. Confucianism established by Kongzi focuses on proper relationships and behavior between people based on love and respect.

1. World
Religions
Chinese Religions
Taoism & Confucianism

2. Overview
• Ancient Chinese were polytheistic and animistic
• Special attention given to gods of heaven and earth,
especially at harvest time
• Beneficial spirits known as “Shen” and evil spirits as
“Kuei”
• Sacrifice – including human – was common
• Concept of balance between yin (negative force) and
yang (positive force) developed to explain the nature of
the universe
– Negative force = darkness, coolness, dampness,
femaleness: the earth
– Positive force = lightness, dryness, warmness,
maleness: the sun

3. Overview
• By 8th century a move toward monotheism was
apparent in China
• The high god was Shang Ti
• The Chou dynasty rulers claimed him to be the
true god, and ruler of their reign
• No prophets arose to clarify the ethical
implications of this monotheism
• Within a hundred years, its influence
diminished

4. Taoism
• Came to prominence c. 6th century BC
• Born out of the writings of Lao-tzu (Old Boy), who was
keeper of the royal archives
• Tired of his life and work, he left the court and moved
westward attempting to leave China
• He was detained at the westward passes and remained
for several months, writing the Tao Te Ching
• He finally left and was never heard from again
• His work of little more than 5,000 words has been
translated more than any book except the Bible

5. Teachings
The basic unity behind the universe is the
undefinable force, the Tao (The Way)
Compared to a stream of water that flows
inexorably to its goal
It is useless to struggle against the Tao
One must blend with the Tao and be guided by it
• Life is the greatest of all possessions
Fame, wealth, etc, are all vanities
• Life is to be lived simply
Family ties are worthless impediments
The small village is the ideal unit of society
If a stronger nation wishes to conquer a lesser
one, it must submit. This is the Tao

6. Teachings
Pomp and glory are to be despised; pride
invites destruction
Fundamental beliefs
“The ways of men are conditioned by those of heaven, the ways
of heaven by those of the Tao, and the Tao came into being by
itself” --Lao-tzu
“Life is beautiful and frightening—it is a panorama of
transformation. “Just surrender to the cycle of things. Give
yourself to the states of the great change, neither happy nor
afraid. And when it comes time to go, simply go. Without any
unnecessary fuss” --unknown
The Tao has never been made into a conscious god

7. Confucianism
Kung Fu-Tzu (551-479 BC) became the father of
Chinese culture by transforming the ancient
traditions into the beginnings of a code for directing
social life
Tzu’s code of conduct was based upon “Li” or “Jen”,
referring to propriety in relationships. Li, or Jen, was
defined as proper behavior based upon love for one
another.

8. Confucianism
• Father to son: kindness in the father and filial piety
in the son
• Husband to wife: righteous behavior in the husband
and obedience in the wife
• Elder brother to younger brother: gentility in the
elder brother and humility in the younger
• Elder to junior: consideration among elders and
deference among juniors
• Ruler to subject: benevolence among rulers and
loyalty among subjects

9. Confucianism
• Ancestor worship is important
• The soul of the ancestor resides in three places
– One part goes to heaven
– One part stays in the grave
– One part remains tied to the ancestral stone or tablet which
the family treasures
• The soul must be helped to heaven, so at the funeral
food offerings are made, along with chanting and
prayers to help the soul to evade the attempt of evil
spirits to hold it back
• The tomb is important and a geomancer is employed
to find the right location

10. Confucianism
Fundamental beliefs
Confucius believed in the gods. Later Confucianists denied the
gods and held to a purely moral kind of philosophy
Later Confucianists taught that the key to life was to know
oneself. This happens by living ethically, by self-cultivation, and
by exercising the mind. Tenderheartedness and humanity are to
be major parts of life.