CultureQuest PowerPoint

1
Chinese Philosophies

• One Country, One Hundred Schools of Thought A
  Quest to Understand Chinas Educational System

2
Overview A youth, when at home, should be
filial, and abroad, respectful to others. He
should be earnest and truthful.The Analects 

• During the latter portion of the Chou (Zhou)
  Dynasty, a number of significant philosophers
  emerged.
• This period, often considered the classical age
  of China, is known as the period of a hundred
  schools of thought.
• Confucius, Lao Tzu, Mencius, Mo-ti, and
  Chuang-tzu all lived during this period (Chou,
  2009)
• These important figures all responded to the
  disorder of the times with new and creative ideas
  (Chou, 2009).
• The four most popular Chinese belief systems
  (Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Legalism)
  all share the common goal of morally
  educating their followers.

3
ConfuciusI hear and I forget. I see
and I remember. I do and I understand.
(Confucius)

• Born around 551 B.C. during the Warring States
  Period (Foy, 2010).
• Teachings became far more popular and influential
  after his death than in his own lifetime (Foy,
  2010).
• Placed emphasis on the treatment of others as a
  means of finding harmony in life (Foy, 2010).
  Filial Piety, Moral righteousness, and social
  hierarchy.
• Confucius argued that all human beings were
  capable of perfecting themselves and becoming
  educated.
• Two of his followers, Mencius and Hsun Tzu, had
  conflicting opinions on Confucius ideas about
  human nature (Introduction to Confucian Thought,
  2009)
• Menciushuman nature is inherently good, although
  man must work to maintain this good nature
  (Introduction to Confucian Thought, 2009).
• Hsun Tzuhumans are evil by nature, but are
  capable of becoming good through hard work and
  dedication (Introduction to Confucian Thought,
  2009).
• A modern connection to ancient teachings-a must
  read LA Times column.

4
ConfucianismFamily Ties

• The family is seen as the main social unit.
• Familial relationships were held above all others
  and represented three of the Five Constant
  Relationships, which show a relation between all
  people.
• Sovereign to Subject
• Husband to Wife
• Father to Son
• Older Brother to Younger Brother
• Friend to Friend
• Filial Piety is the cornerstone of Confucianism,
  which is the loyalty of a child to his/her
  parents. A childs most important duty was to
  honor their ancestors, family, and especially
  their father.
• Parallel between familial relationships and
  government. Ruler is seen as Son of Heaven and
  Father of the People (Introduction to Confucian
  Thought, 2009).
• Civil Service was created under the Confucian Han
  Dynasty. Provided all people with education and
  training necessary to pass civil service exams
  and hold government offices.
• Governmental power was not reserved for nobility,
  rather all citizens were given the chance to
  receive an education and sit for civil service
  exams.
• Confucianism encouraged rulers to set a moral
  example for the people.

5
Lao Tzu(Old Master)A journey of 1,000 miles
begins with a single step.-Lao Tzu

• Date of birth is unknown.
• Loosely referred to as the founder of Taoism,
  however, little fact is actually known about him.
• Some legends offer that Confucius actually sought
  the advice of the Old Master or Old Man,
  however, there is no confirmation of this.
• Is said to have written a short book, which is
  often referred to as Laozi (Chan, 2007, p. 2).
• Taught that there are principles in nature, and
  human beings are modeled after heaven and earth,
  which are governed by the same basic principles
  as human beings (Chan, 2007, p. 23)

6
Taoism

• A major principle is the idea of non-action,
  which is not the act of doing nothing, but
  rather, the act of doing nothing that could be
  considered unnatural.
• Basic beliefs conflict with the teachings of
  Confucianism, Taoists reject the principles of
  hierarchy, power, and control.
• The un-carved block, in its simplicity and
  natural state, has served as a popular symbol for
  Taoists. This image reflects the Taoist emphasis
  on spontaneity and simplicity (Introduction to
  Daoism, 2009).
• Winnie the Pooh is considered, by some, a Taoist.
  There is even a popular book titled, The Tao of
  Pooh, which explains the connection between the
  lovable childrens character and the ancient
  philosophy of Taoism.
• Tao is the first force in the Universe, and is
  considered the life force, which flows through
  everything (Robinson, 1995)

7
Founders of LegalismHumaneness may make one
shed tears and be reluctant to apply penalties,
but law makes it clear that such penalties must
be applied.

• Shang Yang One of Han Feis teachers,
  considered one of the earliest Legalists
  (Selections from Han Feizi, 2009).
• Han Fei (Han Feizi) was once a student of the
  Confucian scholar, Xunzi, however, he abandoned
  Confucianism for the more stringent principles of
  Legalism. Famous for creating a synthesis of
  Taoism and Legalism in his book Han Feizi.
• Li Si also a former student of Xunzi, and
  served as Prime Minister under Emperor Qin Shi
  Huangdi. Used Legalism to help the Qin Emperor
  unify China (Memorial on Annexation, 2009)

Li Si
8
Legalism

• Legalists borrowed certain ideas from Taoists,
  many founders also had ties to the Confucian
  philosophy.
• Despite close ties with other philosophies, the
  basic principles of Legalism generally conflict
  with the other philosophies of Ancient China.
• Legalists sought to organize society on a
  rational basis, in order to strengthen the empire
  agriculturally and militarily.
• Law was viewed as an alternative to morality.
• In 213 B.C., upon the advice of scholar Li Si,
  Legalist Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi ordered the
  burning of all books that were not related to
  medicine, agriculture, divination, or forestry.
• All historical records, with the exception of the
  Qin Dynastys records, were burned as well.
• Scholars were ordered to hand over their books,
  and anyone who used historical information to
  criticize the present would be executed along
  with their family (Beck, 2004).

9
Buddhism
?Statue of Buddha on Silk Road

• Although Buddhism was founded in India, it was
  brought to China during the Han Dynasty and only
  became popular after collapse of the dynasty
  caused a weakening of Confucian ideals.
• The Chinese people found Buddhism comforting
  during the tumultuous times they were
  experiencing.
• Buddhism was very influential along the Silk
  Road, with monuments and temples constructed
  throughout the ancient trade routes.
• Some legends state the Lao Tzu left China and
  traveled to India, where he became the Buddha.
  There is, however, no actual proof of this.
• Despite its roots in India, China has taken
  Buddhism and adapted it to fit Chinese culture.
• Source Introduction to Buddhism, 2007

Silk Road Buddha Coin
?Statue of Buddha on Silk Road
10
Buddhism Basic Principles

• Four Noble Truths
• To live is to suffer.
• Desire is the cause of all suffering.
• There is a way to end desire and suffering.
• The Eightfold Path Leads to the end of suffering.
• Eightfold Path
• Dharma The teachings of Buddha.
• Karma The sum of ones actions, which one
• cannot escape such actions ultimately shape
  what/
• who we become.
• Nirvana Total freedom from suffering. Some
  Buddhists view Nirvana as a heaven-like state,
  others view it as enlightenment, and others
  still, as non-attachment to the cycle of birth,
  death, and rebirth.
• Education Like Confucianism, Buddhism focuses
  on the moral education of the individual.
• The goal of Buddhist education is to attain
  wisdom (Kung, n.d., p.4).
• Based on filial piety (like Confucian education)
  (Kung, n.d., p.5).
• There were two education ministries in China,
  following the arrival of Buddhism. One for
  traditional Confucian education, and the other
  for the rapidly-spreading Buddhist education
  (Kung, n.d., p.6)

11
References

• Chan, A. (2007). Laozi. Stanford Encyclopedia
  of Philosophy. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from
  http//plato.stanford.edu/entries/laozi/
• Chou. (2009). Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia,
  6th Edition, 1. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from
  Academic Search Premier database.
• Foy, G. (2010). Chinese belief systems From
  past to present and present to past. Asia
  Society. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from
  http//asiasociety.org/countries-history/religions
  -philosophies/chinese-belief-systems
• Introduction to Buddhism. (2007). Spice Digest.
  Retrieved July 31, 2010, from http//iis-db.stanfo
  rd.edu/docs/116/Buddhism.pdf
• Introduction to Confucian thought. (2009). Asia
  for Educators. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from
  http//afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/china_1000bc
  e_confucius_intro.htm
• Introduction to Daoism. (2009). Asia for
  Educators. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from
  http//afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/china_1000bc
  e_daoism.htm
• Kung, C. (n.d.). Buddhism as an education.
  Buddha Dharma Education Association, Inc.
  Retrieved July 31, 2010, from http//www.buddhanet
  .net/pdf_file/buddeduc.pdf
• Memorial on annexation of feudal states and
  memorial on the burning of books. (2009). Asia
  for Educators. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from
  http//afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/cup/lisi_legalist
  _memorials.pdf
• Ni, C. (2007). She makes Confucius cool again.
  LA Times. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from
  http//articles.latimes.com/2007/may/07/world/fg-c
  onfucius7
• Robinson, B.A. (1995). Taoism. Retrieved July
  31, 2010, from http//www.religioustolerance.org/t
  aoism2.htm
• Selections from Han Feizi, chapter 49 The five
  vermin. (2009). Asia for Educators. Retrieved
  July 31, 2010, from http//afe.easia.columbia.edu/
  ps/cup/hanfei_five_vermin.pdf