Philosophy & Philosophy & Religion in ChinaReligion in ChinaChinese Folk ReligionChinese Folk ReligionTaoismTaoismConfucianismConfucianismBy Laura Ellen ShulmanChinese Folk ReligionChinese Folk ReligionBelief in spiritsReverence for ancestorsPriests perform blessing rituals:purifying space Exorcising evil spirits (“hungry ghosts”)AstrologyDivinationChinese metaphysics is Chinese metaphysics is aboutaboutEnergyChangeBalanceHarmonyInter-relationshipsChinese MetaphysicsChinese MetaphysicsMovement of cosmic energies:RisingFalling Expanding Contracting RotatingRepresented by and expressed in the “five elements” of natureThe “Five Elements”The “Five Elements”WoodWaterMetalEarthProductive cycleFireThe “Five Elements”The “Five Elements”WoodWaterMetalEarthFireDestructive cycleXXXXXChinese MetaphysicsChinese MetaphysicsConceptsConceptsChi life force, life energy (“ultimate”)Yin-Yang harmony of oppositesYin = passive state of energyYang = active state of energyTao the “way” of the cosmos, of natureHeaven (tien) and Earth“Mandate of Heaven”Practical applications: I-Ching and Feng ShuiThe I-ChingThe I-Ching“Book of Changes”“Book of Changes”Ancient divination technique (at least 3000 years old)Intended to guide humans in decision makingBased on combinations of lines representing the ever changing relationship between passive (yin) and active (yang) energy flow of heaven, human, and earth= yang= yinThe Tri-gramsThe Tri-gramsEight combinations of three lines each:wind / woodFirelakeearthmountainwaterthunderheavenUsing the I-Ching ToolUsing the I-Ching ToolSymbolism of the lines:Upper line = energy state of heavenMiddle line = energy state of humanLower line = energy state of earthTwo sets of trigrams are divined to create a hexagramUse coins or sticks to divine one of 64 hexagramsUse I-Ching text to discern meaning of the hexagram and any additional meaning for “changing lines” (energies on the verge of changing)A skilled interpreter is needed to apply the generic meaning of the hexagram#31Feng ShuiThe Chinese art of placement (geomancy) Means “wind water” symbolically, the constant flow of wind and water that creates constant change in the world also affects usUses the five elements and the eight directions of the I-Ching as the Bagua toolSeeks to maintain constant and balanced flow of energies (chi) in a space for improved flow of energy in the people who use the spaceLearn more on the WebLearn more on the WebLearn more about Yin-Yang and the Five Elements: http:/www.wisdommedia.com/data/library/html/feng_shui_yinyang.aspI-ching sites:I-Ching Resources includes history of the I-Ching and details about the trigrams: http:/www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_resources How to use the I-ching: http:/littlestcat.com/iching/ Feng Shui sites:Series of pages on Feng Shui theory and application: http:/www.wisdommedia.com/data/library/html/feng_shui_what_is.aspFeng Shui products and tips from MJG Designs: http:/shop.store.yahoo.com/mjgdesigns/designtips.htmlTaoismTaoismThe Way of Harmony with NatureThe Way of Harmony with NatureA philosophyProfound and paradoxicalA way of lifePlayful and practicalA religionOriginating in 6th century BCE ChinaNature knows bestTaoismTaoismOrigins and TextsOrigins and TextsLegendary founder: Lao Tzu (6th century BCE)Primary text: Tao Te Ching (the “Book of the Way and the Power”)81 short “chapters” containing the basic philosophy of living in harmony and balanceChuang Tzu (4th century BCE)Author of companion text: The Chuang TzuCollection of stories exemplifying the wisdom and nature of the Taoist sagePhilosophical TaoismPhilosophical TaoismThe Tao (“path” or “way”)The “nameless”The “Mother of ten=thousand things”The “uncarved block”All pervading within and beyond natureTe (“power” or “virtue”)Ones natural ability brought to peak potential through following the wayThe Taoist Sage: learns from observing the way of nature (flowing water, wind) and letting nature guide his way through lifeMore Taoist ConceptsMore Taoist ConceptsWei-wu-wei (“active non-action”)Passive non-resistance to the natural forces of lifeNatural way to get things done with least effort and greatest success“Go with the flow,” yield to the natural way of thingsApplied in all walks of lifeRelativity: “good” and “bad” as a matter of perspectiveThe Taoist sage is non-judgmentalTaoism as a Way of LivingTaoism as a Way of LivingSeeking Health and Longevity: through diet, meditation, exercise, and a stress-free lifeAlchemy: seeking the chemical “elixir of life”to achieve immortalityMeditation: “Inner Alchemy Meditation” seeking spiritual rather than chemical transformationNatural/holistic healing: herbal medicine, acupressure, acupuncture, exerciseTai-Chi-Chuan (“grand ultimate boxing”)A slow, graceful martial art stressing movement in balanceReligious TaoismReligious TaoismDeification of Lao TzuThe Jade Emperor and the eight “Immortals”Taoist temples with images of Lao Tzu and other “immortals”Taoist Priests combine Taoist meditation with purification rites of folk religion exorcism practicesTaoist sects develop beginning in 1st century, additional teachers and textsConfucianismConfucianismA political and social philosophy seeking social harmony on all levels:Within the selfthe familythe community.the statethe nationthe worldthe cosmosLearning from the past to improve the futureConfucianism - OriginsConfucianism - OriginsKung-Fu-tzu (Confucius) “Master Kung”551 - 479 BCEEmbraces the values of the pastPolitical aspirations unfulfilledThe “greatest teacher who ever lived”Rejected in his own day, but the model for Chinese culture for over 2000 yearsMeng-Tzu (Mencius) (4th century) continues to develop teachings of ConfuciusConfucianism - TextsConfucianism - TextsThe “Five Classics” (of the past):I-ChingThe Book of History (Shu Ching)The Book of Poems (Shih Ching)The Spring and Autumn Annals (Chun Chiu)The Book of Rituals (Li Chi)The “Four Books” (Confucian)Analects (Lun Yu)Doctrine of the MeanThe Great LearningThe Book of Mencius (Meng-Tzu)Goal of ConfucianismGoal of ConfucianismTo develop ones Jen: Human Heartedness - the innate goodness of humanityThus becoming a Chun Tzu: the “Great Man” or “Gentle Man”Jen is developed through intentional living by Confucian virtuesConfucian VirtuesConfucian VirtuesFilial Piety (Hsiao) - respect for the five constant relationships:Parent and childHusband & wifeOlder & younger siblingOlder & younger friendRuler & subjectHuman-heartedness is developed only within the context of human relationshipsMore Confucian VirtuesMore Confucian VirtuesRectification of names a person or thing should be true to its nameRecipricity (shu) the Golden Rule:“Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you”Li (rites, ritual) the inherent “pattern” in thingsFor Confucius, Li is especially significant in a social context propriety or etiquette, the “pattern” of humane behaviorNeo-ConfucianismNeo-Confucianism Develops 11th 16th century by Various Confucian philosophersA metaphysical foundation for Confucian social ethicsTwo main schools:School of Reason (more scientific) through the “investigation of things” one can discover the underlying pattern (li) principle behind all reality (patterns and principles are manifest only within the material world)School of Mind (more mystical) microcosmic-macrocosmic parallel between the human mind and the universe, reflecting an essential unity of all that isConfucianism as a ReligionConfucianism as a ReligionDeification of Confucius - statuesConfucian Temples honoring ConfuciusVeneration of the ancestorsRituals within the householdthe villagethe state the nationExplore more on the WebExplore more on the WebTaoist sites:The True Tao Homepage: a pleasant place to visit and learn more http:/www.taoism.net/html.html Taoism and the Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan: informative on both origins and religious Taoism http:/www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/taoism.htmlAbout the Tao: http:/www.thetao.info/tao/index.htm Confucian sites:http:/www.friesian.com/confuci.htm an academic review of basic Confucian teachingsThe Lun Yu (Analects), an English translation online: http:/www.confucius.org/lunyu/lange.htm