CHINA PHILOSOPHIES

BUDDHISM

ORIGINS/FOUNDER

• Began in India and incorporated much of Hinduism in its practice
• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama
• Gautama questioned the meaning of life
• He encountered the misery and suffering of the poor

PRINCIPLES

• Believed that desire was the cause of pain
• Believed in the concept of recarnation
• Does not believe in any deities

DIFFUSION

• Spread to Southeast Asia and East Asia
• They spread it during the Maurya Empire
• They spread it under Ashoka , and the Gupta Empire

CONFUCIANISM

ORIGINS/FOUNDER

• China during the Zhou (Chou) dynasty
• Founded by Fu-Tzu (Confucius )
• Around 551-479BC

PRINCIPLES

• It is not a religion
• Ethical code dealing with the moral characters of individuals
• The primary goals are: harmony, peace , and happiness on earth
• Has five relationships
• Parent-child: kindness in the father and the obedient devotion in the son

DIFFUSION

• Spread by his followers after the death of the Confucius as they obtained positions
• Spread to Korea and Japan
• Eventually formed the basis for the civil service exam in China

TAOISM

ORIGINS/FOUNDER(S)

• Grew from ancient Chinese philosophies
• Grew from a reaction to the spread of Confucianism and Buddhism
• Founded by Lao-Tse

PRINCIPLES

• Tao (Dao) means "The Way" (or the path)
• The symbol most associated with Taoism the Yin/Yang
• The Yin/Yang reflects the ideals of harmony and balance
• Taoism places a great emphasis on nature

DIFFUSION

• Taoism spread primarily to the areas immediately surrounding China
• Has been incorporated into the teachings and beliefs of several philosophies and religions
• Most notably Buddhism and Shiantoism

PICTURES FROM:

• Google
• Haiku deck