ANCIENT CHINA'S RELIGION

MAIN RELIGIONS OR PHILOSOPHIES

• Taoism
• Confucianism
• Buddhism

TAOISM

• Zhou Dynasty- Lao-Tzu
• Book of Teachings-Tao Te Ching

TAOISM BELIEFS

• All beings have universal energy flowing through them
• No governments/strong rules

TAOISM BELIEFS

• Yin Yang- Every force has equal opposite balancing force

TAOIST HOLIDAYS

• Lantern Festival-February or March-birthday of God of fortune-lanterns released into sky
• Dragon Boat Festival-May-Qu Yuan-minister during Zhou Dynasty-eat zong zi (rice balls)-boat races

TAOIST HOLIDAYS

• Chinese New Year-February-burn paper statues of gods-allow spirits to fly to heaven-report on family's behavior

CONFUCIANISM

• Confucius-philosopher
• Book of Teachings written by followers-Five Sacred Texts

CONFUCIANISM BELIEFS

• Treat others with respect, politeness, fairness
• Honor and morality important qualities

CONFUCIANISM BELIEFS

• Family very important
• Honoring relatives required
• Strong, organized governments

CONFUCIANIST HOLIDAYS

• Confucius' Birthday-September 28-music, dancing, burning incense-most important holiday
• Qing Ming-106 days after winter solstice-offer gifts to relative's spirits-help in afterlife

BUDDHISM

• Siddhartha Gautama-Buddha-prince
• Books of teaching-Tripitaka and Sutras

BUDDHIST BELIEFS

• Reincarnation-cycle of rebirth after death-complete when when person achieves total enlightenment-Nirvana

BUDDHIST BELIEFS

• Believe in Karma-good actions help in future-bad hurt in future
• Believe in 4 Noble Truths-suffering exists -suffering is caused by envy-suffering can end-death and rebirth lead to end of suffering

BUDDHIST HOLIDAYS

• Buddha's birthday-date varies by region of China-celebrates birth of founder
• Magha Puja-celebrated on full moon day of Magha-do only good to purify mind for day

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• "Ancient China." Ducksters Educational Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2017.
• Asia Book
• I Think World History Book
• "Chinese Culture, Tradition, and Customs." Chinese Culture, Tradition, and Customs — Penn State University and Peking University. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2017.
• "China Holidays & Festivals." China Holidays: 2017 Public Holidays & Festival in China. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2017.

Untitled Slide