RLGN 1322 Review #6 - Chinese & Korean traditions

Fall 2023 RLGN 1322: Introduction to Eastern Traditions Review #6 – Chinese & Korean Traditions Chinese Traditions Confucianism:  The goals of the Confucianism philosophical system are: peace, prosperity, and harmony  The system focuses on an ethical system that dictates proper modes of human interaction  During this time, Chinese religion moved away from a focus on divination and the spirit world to a more humanistic worldview  This system also emphasizes the necessary balance between opposing forces in the doctrine of complementarity or reciprocity  Confucius outlined the proper parameters of the following relationships: emperor/minister, father/son, husband/wife, older brother/younger brother, friends  People and rulers must act in a way that demonstrates loyalty, empathy, and selflessness and avoid resentment, arrogance and jealousy  Mencius: Mostly agreed with Confucius (i.e. against violence, etc) but argued that filial piety should be followed blindly and that children should question the morality/ethical actions of their parents  Xunzi: Disagreed with other Confucian thinkers in that he claimed people do not have an innate sense of empathy and goodness (i.e. human nature is inherently evil); He also argued it was the responsibility of the teacher to cultivate goodness in students Daoism:  Two main branches: Philosophical (virtue, systems of government, development of heart- mind) and Religious (ritual practices, supernatural spirits, pursuit of immortality)  Wu-wei = non-action (act in accordance with the Dao, go with the flow)  3 common features of the two branches: all ascribed to the notion that the Dao is the one primary force in the universe (in other words, the Dao is the root and cause for everything); inner discipline was a necessity to empty one’s heart-mind of all distractions and gain a sense or feeling of tranquility which is of course integral to the experience which unites a person with the Dao; one needs to employ these first two concepts in order to create a benevolent and good governing body  The Dao - a state or energy flow that is in a constant flux and change  One is to strive to live in a state of harmony with the Dao through human virtue  A person should never act out of self-interest  Women in Daoism - described as mother figures and the feminine is thought to be an equal partner to the masculine in the concept of yin and yang but this doesn't translate to gender equality Historical Periods of Religious Change: Han Dynasty - Confucianism became the state religion and religious Daoism started to expand in groups that opposed the Han rulers - economic prosperity was the basis for morality and ethics (rulers were obliged to provide food and shelter to people but also education to ensure a happy empire); Five Classics were written; Articulation of ideal female characteristics (maternal intuition, intelligence, wisdom on how to act kindly, chastity and obedience, righteousness, skill in argument; critiques of Buddhism (anti-materialism, karma, anatman, monastic life - abandoning family duties and not producing offspring and dependence on others via begging)

Fall 2023 Six Dynasties - Confucianism lost political support during this time and Buddhist ideas really began to take root in Chinese culture; Buddhism became popular because of: art, architecture, promise of enlightenment, philosophical discourse, and life away from family; Ideas central to Chinese Buddhism - Non-duality/Emptiness, Upaya (skillful means), Guanyin (Bodhisattva - selflessness in accordance with filial piety), lay practice, flower garland sutra (interconnectedness of all things); Daoism blended with Buddhism to a certain extent, developed new schools of thought - The two new schools that emerged out of this period were the Highest Clarity school (who employed things like alchemy and fasting which were supposed to lead to spiritual journeys) and the Numinous Treasure school (who focused on the integration of the entire community and tried to synthesize Buddhist and Daoism ideals) Sui & Tang Dynasty (589-907) - Religious renewal for all three traditions - except toward the end of the dynasty, Buddhism fell out of favour with the Emperor and interestingly enough he characterized it as a foreign religion that went against traditional Chinese values - monastic schools were essentially decimated Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties (960-1644) - At this point, Daoism also fell out of favour and Confucianism underwent a period of renewal ; two schools of Buddhism that made a come back during this time - Zen/Chan (differentiation of sudden and gradual schools) and Pure Land (celestial Buddha who provides salvation and freedom from re-birth and suffering) Qing Dynasty & Republican Period (1644-present) - Things proceeded from the last period until the 1950s when China underwent the Cultural revolution and religion as such was not really permitted in certain contexts - many shrines and religious structures were destroyed ; Renewed interest in Confucian ideals has taken place as well as Daoist ritual practices; There has also been a return of folk traditions (which also connect to Daoism as well) Terms: Mandate of Heaven Five Classics Filial Piety Yin/Yang Wu-wei Five relationships Confucius Mencius Xunzi Dao Inward Training Lao-Zu Han Dynasty Six Dynasties Period Guanyin Study Questions: 1. How are women viewed in Confucianism and Daoism? 2. What are the main goals of human life outlined by Confucius? 3. What is the Mandate of Heaven? 4. Explain the doctrine of complementarity. How is this represented in the yin and yang? 5. Describe the five relationships that make up the majority of human interaction according to Confucius. 6. How did the philosophies of Mencius and Xunzi differ from Confucius? 7. What are the two main branches of Daoism? Explain the differences. 8. Outline the concept of wu-wei. 9. What is the Dao? How does this principle explain the universe and human existence? 10. What are some of the critiques leveled at Buddhism after this tradition was introduced in China?