DAOIC

RELIGIONS
 In the midst of chaotic periods in China, namely the Spring and Autumn
period as well as the Warning States period, several schools of thought were born.
This is known as the hundred schools of thought ,which was characterized by the
struggle to impose social order in china through philosophical teachings of great
Chinese thinkers. Four of the most influential schools of thought which flourished
in China during this period were. Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, and Legalism.
These schools of thought, together with elements of Mahayana Buddhism and new
religious movement such as Cao Dai, Chen Dao, and Falun Gong, all make up the
Dao (or “The Way”) which refers to the moral order that permeates the universe or
the force behind the natural order immanent and it pervades the natural world, the “
mother of the universe” which constantly nurtures nature. Ones goal therefore is to
live in harmony with the Dao. In this chapter we will discuss the three major East
Asian or Daoic religions – Confucianism and Daoism from China, as well as
Shintoism from Japan.
CONFUCIANISM
There has always been a debate whether Confucianism should be
regarded as a religion or a philosophy.t Those who argue that Confucianism is a
philosophy assert that when Kung Fuzi founded Confucianism, he never meant to
establish a new religion; he merely wanted to interpret and revive the ancient
religion of Zhou dynasty. Since Confucianism emphasizes the ethical dimensions
of the world, it gives primary attention to human relationship, thus advocating
social values and ideals which should serve as the foundation of Chinese society.
Advocates of Confucianism as a philosophy further argue that Kung Fu seldom
touched on religious matters, thus branding him as humanist advancing practical
and ethical wisdom.
 On the other hand, Confucianism is considered a religion because its deals were
inspirational, not in the supernatural sense but in the same of aiming for excellence
in one’s relationships with others. For Confucius, what happens in everyday life
should not be trivialized but should be considered as the realm of moral and spiritual
fulfillment. Focus on relationships should be emphasized, for it is often taken for
granted that these relationships which we encounter everyday should be the easiest to
perfect, but in reality they are the hardest to attain. Moreover, Confucius stressed the
importance of rituals which would lead them back to the ideal society of their
ancestor when there was harmony between heaven and earth. Confucianism has
often been categorized together with Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam,
Judaism, and Daoism as one of the world’s major religions, and has greatly
influenced the East Asian political and spiritual life. For these reasons, Confucianism
may be viewed both as philosophy and as a religion.it has become a practical way of
life for so many Chinese for a long time and so has been intensely embedded in the
structure of Chinese societies and politic.
 As of 2010, the Encyclopaedia Britannica estimates the number of followers of Confucianism at
more than six million. This figure is misleading, however, for it id said that people from East Asia
may profess themselves to be Buddhists, Taoists, Christians, muslims , or Shintoists , but rarely do
they stop being Confucians. Because of this, the actual figure can rise up to more or less 300million.

Africa Asia Europe Latin America Northern

America
Confucianists 20, 200 6,433,000 15,500 490 0
(as of 2010 )
Adherents of Confucianism are called Confucians or Confucianists . Religions in East Asia are
not mutually exclusive, hence one can still be a Confucian/Confucianist while at the same time
being a Taoist, Buddhist , Christians or Muslim. This is because ,as mentioned earlier, Confucianism
has often been debated if it is a religion or philosophy/ethical tradition. It is characterized as having
a lot of ritual practice but with little formal worship or meditation. Hence, one can blend belief in
the religious elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, and other religions with the ethical elements of
Confucianism.
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The proliferation of Chinese thoughts happened within the reign of Zhou
dynasty, it is the second historical dynasty in China. Advances in the said realms
led to the emergence of competing dynasties who wanted to establish supremacy
over other dynasties.

ZHOU PERIOD This period is divided into Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou
Eastern Zhou-was further divided into the Spring and Autumn period and the
Warring States period.
-It was during this period, there is a great economic growth, social change, and
political development that philosophies would emerge and the Classics would be
written.
 During the Zhou period, technological growth led to trading
development, which led to a remarkable increase in wealth.
IRON-became common in China in the fifth century B.C.E and had
replaced bronze as materials for weapons. As well as the agricultural
tools such as ox drawn plow, which in turn led to agricultural
revolution in china. Among the four rival states which competed for
supremacy, the Qin dynasty would emerge as the victor and would
established the first empire of China in the 3rd century B.C.E. The
name China would come from the Ch’in, the first to create an imperial
Chinese identity.
 LIFE OF CONFUCIUS
Confucius is the Latin name of Kongzi or Kong Fuzi
honorific term both means Master Kongzi. He was born on
September 28, 551 B.C.E. In a small feudal state of Lu now
Shantung province in Qufu. His personal name was Qui and his
family name was Kong. He was from a noble family, but on the time
of his birth, they had already lost much of their wealth. His first
teacher was his mother, and at the age of 15 he set his heart upon
learning. Thus, love of learning became one if the highest virtue in
Confucian ethics.
 He married at the age of 19 and had a son of the age 20. At this point in
his life he had already served in minor government posts and had already gained a
reputation as an all-around scholar. When he was in 30s he had already started a
brilliant teaching career because of his mastery of the arts of rituals, music, archery,
charioteering, calligraphy, and arithmetic. He is often considered as the first person
to devote his whole life to learning and the teaching for the purpose of social
transformation and improvement. He held several government positions including
as arbiter, assistant minister of public works, and minister of public works, and
minister of justice in the state of Lu. Frustrated that his ideals and policies were
brushes off by his superiors, he soon left Lu. For 13 years, he wandered from state
to state, trying to put his theories to practice, at 67, he returned home to teach where
he gained more disciples and to preserve his classical traditions by writing and
editing. He died in 47 B.C.E at the age of 73 and he left around 3,000 followers
who preserved and put his other teachings to writing.
 SACRED SCRIPTURES: THE CONFUCIAN
CLASSICS
The Five Classics are a group of books which was regarded as early
Confucianism’s basic texts. This includes the Book of Change, the Book of
History, the Book of Poetry, the Classic of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn
Annals.
The Analects or Lunyu is also considered as an important source of
Confucian teachings since it contains a record of his conversations with his
disciples and his collection of sayings and ideas. It is believed to have been
written during the Warring State Period (475 B.C.E- 221 B.C.E.)
 • Believed to have existed at the time of Confucius.
Book of Change (also
• The oldest of the classics.
known as the I-
• It focuses on short predictions following a type of divination called
Ching )
cleromancy.

• Conventionally attributed to Confucius by early scholars.

Book of History (also
• It is composed of speeches of royalty and minister mainly from the Shang and
known as the Book of
Zhou dynasties.
Documents or
• Also consist of chronological accounts of imperial achievements and rule of
Shangshu)
the government.

• Collection of 305 songs compiled around 600 B.C.E.

Book of Poetry (also
• Includes four sections of various themes such as love, courtship, abandonment
known as the book of
and dances.
Songs/Odes/Shinjing)
• Also includes feast songs or state chants.
 Classic of Rites • Compilation of ceremonial rituals, administration, and social forms of the
(originally the Three Zhou dynasty.
Li/Three Rites/Sin Li ) • Composed of 49 sections of rituals and government guidelines, as well as
essay on education, the rites, music and philosophy.

• Collection and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his
Analects
co contemporaries, traditionally believed to have been written by Confucius
Lunyu (“conversation
followers.
or “sayings” ) also
• Classified as one of the Four books along with Great Learning , Doctrine of
known as the analects
the Mean, and Book of Mencius.
of Confucius
• Also become an influential canonical resource in Chinese and East Asian
philosophy.
 CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES/BELIEFS
Confucius’ Golden Rule: “Do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto
you,” teaches the ethics of mutuality and reciprocity. Thus, it requires people to treat others
equal to themselves and in equally the same manner as they would have wanted to be treated.

BELIEF IN TIAN
“When you have offended against Tian (Heaven), there is nowhere you can turn to in your
prayers”(Analects 3.31). This is one of the passages in the Analects which shows Confucius’
idea of Tian or Heaven. Although Confucius is well-known to be a practical philosopher who
was not much interested in the superhuman real, he believed in Tian or “Heaven”, an all –
encompassing God. Tian may also refer to that which is beyond human control. He believed
that Tian is analogous with moral order but dependent upon human intervention to bring its
will into action.
 REFLICATION OF NAMES
Confucius believed that to return in an ancient Dao, people must play
their important rules in society. This was called the Rectification of Names or
Zhengming. This include The Five Relationships: 1)ruler –subject; 2) father –son;
3)
husband- wife;4)elder siblings-younger siblings; 5)friend-to-friend .The
responsibilities originating from these relationships are shared and reciprocal .For
example, a minister owes loyalty to his ruler, and a child owes respect to the
parents.
In return, ruler must care for his subjects, and parents must care for their children.
Zhengming helps bring social order and harmony.
HUMAN NATURE AS ORIGINALLY GOOD OR EVIL
Confucius was silent on the concept of human nature, but Mengzi (Mencius)and
Xunzi (Hsun Tzu), two Confucian followers and philosophers, had different
interpretation on the subject of human nature based on the Analects.
For Menzi, human nature is naturally disposed towards ren , or virtue of the
superior man. He believed that all humans were born with innate goodness which, on
one hand, can cultivate through paper education and self-discipline; or be thrown away
through neglect and bad influence.
Xunzi believed that human nature is basically evil but can be improved through
self-cultivation. Like Mengzi, Xunzi considered the li or discipline is the key to
cultivate human nature.
 FIVE CONSTANTS
Also known as Five Classical Virtues or Wuchang, are the Five
Constant, are the five most important Confucian ethics mentioned in
the Analects. These include the following:
1. Ren or benevolence
2. Yi or righteousness
3. Li or propriety
4. Zhi or wisdom
5. Xin or fidelity
 FILIAL PIETY
In Confucians, family relations provides a model for social behavior. It is
said
to have provided China with a strong sense of solidarity not only in Chinese
family,
but also in Confucian social organization and even among Chinese communities
in
different part of the world. The following Chinese tradition can be manifestation
of
Filial Piety;
1. Worship to ancestors and;
2. Respect to parents and other elderly
 WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
The book of Rites recorded the rituals practiced by the Chinese for many
centuries. Some of these rituals have been classified under Family Rituals, which are
characterized as the person’s growth and maturity.
FOUR RITES
COMING OF AGE RITES - ceremonies held when a person reached a marriage age.
Capping – A ritual where a male ages 15-20 receives his formal hat, ceremonial gown
and formal name.
Hair Pinning –gathering of 16 years old girl’s hair into knot after her engagement and
before her wedding day.
MOURNING RITES –playing of music to accompany the corpse and to
pacify the spirit and sealing of the corpse in the coffin to avoid false death.

MARRIAGE CEREMONIES- central feature of society. Marriage is

decided by the parents.

SACRIFICIAL RITUALS-are performed regularly by the descendants of the

deceased ancestors.
 SELECTED ISSUES
One characteristics of Confucian social order is the fixed and strict
hierarchy, with the higher partners being composed of men- father , husband, and
rules exercising more right privilege over women who are placed in subordinate
position.
FEMALE SUBORDINATION
Confucianism women’s lives can be summed up into three periods also
known as “Three Obediences.”

1st – obedience to 2nd – obedience to her 3rd – obedience to her

her father husband son
 The patriarchal nature of Confucian is manifested in certain beliefs like
preference for male children. Another one, women are the ones expected to give
dowry to the family of their groom when they get married, and among poor families
having female children has become a burden. This led to more cases female
infanticide and abortion every year.

Another issue related to hierarchy would be the authoritarianism, which

was influenced by philosophy of legalism and which became the guiding principle
of the Chinese government during the Qin dynasty.
 AUTHORITARIANISM
Because Confucianism stresses the hierarchy between relationships, this
has reinforced top-down values and hierarchy systems by encouraging deference to
one’s superiors –ruler, father, teacher, or anyone older. When Confucian values are
used to suppress opposition, thwart fresh ideas to surface, or to protect apathy, then
Confucianism poses a serious threat to the development of society and the flourishing
of democracy.
Confucianism has been criticized on the issue of the father –son
relationship , especially on the aspect of allowing the bad behavior of a father
requiring the son to accept it when it occurs.
 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
While it is true that Confucianism advocates respect to the environment, its
acceptance of people’s dominance to nature poses a threat to the issue. The Analects
mentioned that subordination of animals to social interest. Some experts also say that
when faced to dilemma between maintaining social duties and the environment,
Confucianism would lead one to choose the former than the latter, Confucian logic
would give priority to defense a social duties over environmental protection.
The Analects contains passages that suggest Confucius’ neglected of or lack of
concern for animals , such as the following passage:
“There was a fire in the stables. When the master returned the court, he
asked, “Was anybody hurt?” He didn’t ask about the horses.”(Analects 10:12)