Chinese Philosophies

TAOISM

ORGINS/FOUNDER

• Grew from ancient Chinese philosophies
• Their single founder was Lao-Tse
• It was a reaction to the spread of Confucianism and Buddhism

Principles/Diffusion

• Tao(Dao) means "The way" (or the path)
• Taoism spread primarily to the areas immediately surrounding China
• The symbol most associated with Taoism the Yin/Yang
• They focused on achieving balance and harmony in the universe
• The three Jewels, compassion, moderation, and humility

PRINCIPLES/DUFFUSION

• Yin/Yang reflects the ideals of harmony and balance
• The Tao Te Ching is the most significant text

BUDDHISM

Origins/Founder

• Began in India
• Its single founder was Siddhartha Gautama
• It incorporated much of Hinduism in its practice
• Siddhartha Gautama concluded that the cause of all suffering is desire
• Gautama developed compassion for all ways to eliminate hardships

Principles/Diffusion

• Buddhism teaches the concept of reincarnation
• Buddhism does not hold a belief in deity
• Spread to Southeast Asia and to East Asia
• Never widely accepted in India
• Much of Buddhist teaching was incorporated into Islam

Confucianism

ORIGINS/FOUNDER

• During the Zhou (Chou) dynasty
• Began after the end of feudalism
• Its founder was Kung Fu-Tzu
• The primary goals are order, harmony, peace, and happiness

PRINCIPLES/DIFFUSION

• It is not a religion
• It is seen in the five Relationships
• Spread by his followers after dealth
• The teachings spread to Korea and Japan
• Became the foundation of Chinese education

FIVE RELATIONSHIPS

• Parent-child
• Husband-wife
• Elder sibling-younger sibling
• Elder friend-younger friend
• Ruler-subject: Benevolence in rulers and loyalty of ministers and subjects