Unit 11 Chinese Religion and Philosophy UNIT 11: CHINESE RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY UNIT STRUCTURE 11.1 Learning Objectives 11.2 Introduction 11.3 Religion- Daoism/Taoism Confucianism 11.4 Philosophers Confucius Lao Tse 11.5 Let Us Sum Up 11.6 Further Reading 11.7 Answers to Check Your Progress 11.8 Model Questions 11.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES After going through this Unit, you will be able to- explain the religious beliefs of the people of Ancient China, explain the different religion – Daoism, Confucianism and Taoism and discuss the Chinese philosophers- Confucius, Lao Tse 11.2 INTRODUCTION In the previous Unit, we have discussed the origin of Chinese civilization, the condition of the people and the political institutions. In this Unit, we will be discussing the various religious faith and the Chinese philosophers like Confucius and Lao Tse. From the ancient time onwards the Chinese worshipped natural powers like rivers, wind, earth, heaven etc. According to them, all these natural powers had spirit. They also used to worship their dead fore-fathers or ancestors. Shang Ti, Tien were the main gods of ancient China. In addition to this the Chinese used to worship many other gods and goddesses including the ‘soul’. 110 History of Ancient Civilizations Chinese Religion and Philosophy Unit 11 11.3 RELIGION In ancient China, there was no priestly class to perform the religious rituals for the people. All the religious rituals were performed by either the person concerned or by the state. In ancient times the Chinese religious rituals were honestly observed. Sometimes animal sacrifices were also performed to please their gods and goddesses. The two major religions of ancient China were Taoism/Daoism and Confucianism. During the reign of the Han Dynasty, Buddhism was brought into China by the Indian and Indonesian traders and the missionaries and in around 191 A.D. a Buddhist Monastery was also built in Kiangsu province of China. But it was after the end of the Han Dynasty that Buddhism got popularity in China. As a result of this growing popularity of Buddhism in China, the relations between China and India developed considerably. Mainly the Mahayana sect of Buddhism was popular in China. Daoism/Taoism “Dao” in Chinese meant “way of life”. There have been different approaches of looking into the concept of Daoism. According to Daoism, the human way must be in accordance to the way of nature. According to Confucianism, Daoism talked about the moral behavior of man which however is very limited in nature when considered the Daoism viewpoint related to human behaviour Wu Wei is a doctrine propounded in Daoism which means non- action. By this it meant that the best behavior of man would be to act naturally and suppress any excessive desires which are a cause of all human problems. Lao Tse was associated with Taoism. He was born in 604 B.C. in Honan province of China. He wrote a book named “The Way of Life”. This book contains the essence of Taoism. Taoism got its name from its central idea, Tao, which can be defined as the Way of Nature. In nature, according to Lao-tzu, man finds a vital impulse directing life. He reaches History of Ancient Civilizations 111 Unit 11 Chinese Religion and Philosophy understanding by withdrawing from the world and contemplating nature. Lao-tse said that Tao is an indescribable force that governs the universe and all nature. Man may bring himself into harmony with Tao by practicing three great virtues: humility, frugality, and contentment. Men should not strive for learning, riches, or power. They should try rather, to bring themselves into harmony with Tao by being quiet, thoughtful, and humble. As Lao said, “He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. Unlike Confucius, Lao-Tse believed that the less government the better. He advised men to withdraw from public affairs and not to participate in them. Taoism had a strong appeal among the masses specially the peasants. His teachings pronounced that wealth and power were meaningless. The following are the main doctrines of his religious faith. Inactivity is the best jewel of character, he said— “Do nothing, and people will become good of their own accord.” One should always live in harmony with nature and be contented. “Abandon wisdom and discard knowledge and the people will be benefitted hundred fold.” He also remarked, “The secret of wisdom and that of quite content, which is the only lasting happiness that man can find, is a stoic obedience to nature, an abandonment of all artifice and intellect, a trustful acceptance of nature’s imperative in instinct and feeling and a modest immitation of nature’s silent ways.” Man should lead a simple and virtuous life. Humility is the first and foremost virtue of a perfect man. He said, “When merit hath been achieved, take it not unto thyself. If thou dost not take unto thyself, behold it can never be taken from thee.” Next to humility he attached great importance to Frugality. He used to say, “The wise man does not accumulate. The more he spends for others, the more he possess of his own; the more he giveth to others, the more hath he for himself.” One should be good to all, even to bad persons. He said, “To those who are good, I am good to those who are not good, I am also good; 112 History of Ancient Civilizations Chinese Religion and Philosophy Unit 11 thus all get to be good.” Happiness would be found by living simply and nobly. Unlimited desires lead to selfishness and unhappiness. Confucianism One of the famous philosophers of ancient China was Confucius. He was born in 551 B.C. in Lu State in a respectable family. He was a contemporary of Mahavira and Gautam Buddha. He died at the age of 73. He was a thinker and peace lover from his childhood. He was a great scholar and his teachings greatly influenced the life of the Chinese. According to him, only those people can improve who sincerely go for the search of knowledge. He put great emphasis on honouring and respecting the established customs of China, but he did not believe in the life after death. Respect for elders and ancestors, the solidarity of family etc were the central points of his teachings. Confucius emphasized moral and social order for society. He believed in the doctrine of equality and according to his opinion it was the duty of the State to give equal protection and care for the welfare of all subjects. According to him, the main aim and duty of the State was to provide equal opportunity to all his subjects so that the personality and talent of every individual could develop. Confucius believed that for the advancement of the state and society it was very essential that both the government and the people should be well disciplined. According to him, the Emperor comes to the throne with the blessings of god. Again, he believed that the rulers should be learned and men of character. Confucius believed that a victor should not use his power in an unlimited manner and the use of power was against the will of god. According to Confucius, five relationships were important and they should be valued. These five relationships were between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, older brother and younger brother and between the friends. 11.4 CHINESE PHILOSOPHERS China was the homeland of some famous philosophers. Among these philosophers Lao Tse, Confucius, Mencius, Chaung-tse, Mo Ti etc History of Ancient Civilizations 113 Unit 11 Chinese Religion and Philosophy deserved special mention. The basic principle of their philosophy was how to create an idealistic state and society. Confucius The most influential Chinese philosopher was Confucius. Confucius had little to say about the idea of god, the meaning of death, or the idea of life after death. He was not a religious prophet, nor especially a religious man, as were use the term. Essentially, he was interested in what made the good life. Because of the times in which he lived, he believed that the good life depended on order, and that order depended on good government. He opened a school and taught his pupils the ancient history and poetry of China, along with the ceremonies and rules for polite conduct. The people were greatly influenced by his simple teachings. He emphasized that, “A man’s character is formed by the Odes, developed by the Rites (ceremony and courtesy) and perfected by music”. In his teachings, Confucius was a practical philosopher. He never claimed that he had anything divine about him. His teachings were based on good manners. He did not Ideal with mystical questions concerning God, the life after death religious rituals, spirits and unknown world. He was more concerned with the man on this earth than with God in Heaven or man after death. He rightly remarked, “So long as thou dost not know life, how canst thou know death? So long as thou art not able to serve men, how canst thou serve the spirits?” He laid great stress on good manners and morality. He preached, “Reply kindness with kindness; but reply evil with justice.” At another place he said, “What you do not like when done to yourself, do not do to others.” His teachings were practical. He laid down in detail the duties of a man. Man should be firm on justice, honesty, sincerity, duty and morality He was a strict disciplinarian and emphasized the moral way of life. In short, Confucius was neither a philosopher nor religious leader a practical reformer who laid great stress on discipline, rules procedure.