CHINESE PHILOSOPIES

BUDDHISM

ORIGINS AND FOUNDER

• Began in India
• Found by Siddhartha Gautama
• Incorporated much of Hinduism in its practice

PRINCIPLES

• Reincarnation and karma
• Desire is the cause of suffering and the way to end suffering is to end desire
• Believed that nirvana could be reached
• More of a philosophy than a religion
• Believed that everyone was equal

DIFFUSION

• Spread to Southeast Asia and to East Asia
• During the maurya empire

CONFUCIANISM

ORIGINS AND FOUNDER

• Began in China
• During Zhou Dynasty
• Found by Kung Fu-Tzu 551-479 BC

PRINCIPLES

• Harmony, peace, and happiness on earth
• Most important principles deal with ideal standard of conduct that controls social actions
• Five relationships
• Parent -child, Husband- wife, Elder sibling -younger sibling, Elder friend- younger friend Ruler- subject
• Capable of achieving this through education, self-effort, and self-reflection

DIFFUSION

• Spread by his followers after the death of Confucius
• Also spread to Korea and Japan

TAOISM

ORIGINS AND FOUNDER

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

PRINCIPLES

• Tao means "The way"
• Focuses on achieving balance and harmony in the universe
• Great emphasis on nature as an example of balance and life
• A key concept related to balance is "effortless doing"
• Emphasizes three jewels compassion, moderation, and humility

DIFFUSION

• Spread primarily to the areas immediately surrounding China
• Incorporated to the teachings and beliefs of several philosophies and religions