Three Philosophers of China

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Three Philosophers of China

• Summary Notes
• Page 61

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Buddhism

• Siddhartha Gautama (563 - 483 B.C.)
• Sheltered life
• Realized life an endless cycle of pain
• Escape by seeking wisdom

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Buddhism

• Through meditation, The Four Nobel Truths
• Suffering and pain are part of life.
• Self-centered desires cause suffering and pain.
• Escape suffering by overcoming desires
  (not-wanting)
• Middle Path
• Overcome desires and reach enlightenment
• Lead an ethical, morally correct, compassionate
  life

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Buddhism

• Eight-fold path of Rights
• Knowledge Living
• Purpose Effort
• Speech Mindfulness
• Action Meditation
• Reincarnation

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Confucianism

• Kong Fu Zi (551 479 B.C.)
• Zhou Empire weakening
• War, poverty, crime on rise
• Uphold great traditions and past customs

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Confucianism

• Code of conduct, strict moral ideas, good actions
  (li)
• Respect Hard work
• Loyalty Politeness
• Honesty Generosity

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Confucianism

• Five Basic Relationships for hierarchical
  society
• Ruler and Subject
• Parent and Child
• Husband and Wife
• Elder Sibling and Younger Sibling
• Friend and Friend (only equals)
• Filial Piety Kindness to elders/ancestors
• Li Peaceful and Harmonious Society

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Daoism

• Laozi (606 530 B.C.)
• Daodejing, (The Way and Its Power)
• Wise, old master
• Zhou Empire weakening
• People can find happiness
• within themselves
• instead of through wealth

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Daoism

• Goal of Life achieve one with the Dao
• Humans are part of nature
• Nature is only true laws
• Behave by living in harmony with nature
• Observe and follow the ways of nature

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Daoism

• Yin and Yang
• Harmony from a balance of opposite forces
• Impossible to have good without bad
• Acceptance of all things that occur

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Daoism

• Wuwei
• Action through non-action
• Things cannot be forced from their true nature
• Too many laws interfere and cause problems