REL 1000 Chapter : Chinese Religions
Document Summary
Chinese religions: many people identify with more than one tradition, polytheistic and animistic, yin = negative forces, yang = positive forces, nature, balancing forces. Importance of ancestor veneration: taoism and confucianism developed as the feudal system declined. Taoism: tao (dao) means the way , refers to philosophical and religious traditions, early tradition not concerned with deities, rituals, or an afterlife, used riddles and teachings were secret, philosophical tradition associated with lao-tzu and chuang-tzu. Wuwei: emphasis of lao-tzu"s teaching, means action without overreaction, living in harmony with the tao (i. e. simply, focus on experience rather that reason, government should not impose excessive laws, continual conflict with chinese political powers. Chuang-tzu: studied lao-tzu, chuang-tzu text attributed to him (4th-3rd century bce, explicit contempt for politics, calls for freedom from social control and our own minds (self-interest & prejudice) Sectarianism: splits were more about practice than doctrine, 2 main sects today perfect truth and the heavenly masters.
