CHINESE PHILOSOPHIES

BUDDHISM

FOUNDER

• Began in India
• It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama
• Siddhartha Gautama was an Indian prince
• Left his city and experienced the pain,suffering, and grief most people have
• Gautama said, " The cause of all suffering is desire."

BELIEFS

• No main deity, most don't believe in a deity
• Concept of reincarnation, though not always seen as a "rebirth"
• Core of Buddhism is based on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
• You are responsible for your own actions, gods don't help you, it is your ability to think properly
• Second largest religion in the world

DIFFUSION

• Spread to Southeast Asia & East Asia
• Spread especially during the Maurya Empire and the Gupta Empire
• This religion actively seeks to convert others
• Was never widely accepted in India
• India incorporated most Buddhist teaching into Islam

CONFUCIANISM

FOUNDER

• Founded by Kung Fu-Tzu (Confucius) around 551-479 BC
• Confucius spoke of returning to the mortal standards of the ancients

BELIEFS

• Not a religion but rather an ethical code
• This code deals with the moral character of individuals,society, and government
• Primary goals - order, harmony, peace, and happiness on Earth
• Man is capable of achieving them through education, self-effort, and self-reflection
• Most important principles deal with social actions

FIVE RELATIONSHIPS

• Parent-child
• Husband-wife
• Elder sibling-younger sibling
• Elder friend-younger friend
• Ruler-subject

DIFFUSION

• Spread by Confucius's followers after his death as they obtained positions in government
• These ideals eventually formed the basis for the civil service exam in China
• The principles of Confucius became the foundation of Chinese education
• These teachings spread to Japan and Korea

TAOISM

FOUNDER

• Founded by Lao- Tse
• Grew from ancient Chinese philosophies that were merged into one basic teaching
• It grew in some ways from a reaction to the spread of Confucianism and Buddhism

BELIEFS

• Tao(Dao) means the way or the path
• It's a series of philosophical teachings that focus on achieving balance and harmony in the universe
• Taoism places a great impact on nature as an example of balance and shows how one should live
• The Yin-Yang sign reflects the ideals of harmony and balance
• Taoism also reflects the Three Jewls- compassion, moderation, and humility

DIFUSSION

• Spread primarily to the ares immediately surrounding China
• Taoism has been incorporated into the teachings and beliefs of several philosophies/religions
• Most notably Buddhism and Shintoism