Chinese Traditional Religion Essay Example for Free

Chinese tralatitious Religion EssayReligious practice in China today has elements as old as the Shang and Zhou dynasties and, dating from the Song dynasty (9601279 CE), is marked syncretismthe combining of different forms of belief or practice. A favourable example is the construction of synagogue altars. Its non uncommon to find Buddhist and Confucian figures in a Daoist temple. Nor is it extraordinary to see a self-professed Buddhist offer incense at a Daoist temple to a historical figure known for his Confucian virtues. China has been a multi-religion country since the ancient times.It is considerably known that Confucianism is an indigenous religion and is the soul of Chinese culture, which enjoyed popular support among people and even became the directive ideology for feudalism society, but it did not develop into a national belief. It makes the culture more all-embracing to others, thus, umteen other religions have been brought into the country in different dynasti es, but none of them developed regnant enough in the history of China and they only provide diverse people more apparitional support.Confucianism, not a real religion, is just an ethical and philosophical trunk, which developed from Confucius thoughts and later was treated as a kind of belief to educate common people. Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (Master Kong, 551479 BC). The Confucius teachings contained the beginning of a system of thought and behavior that developed into a civilise ethico- unearthly tradition.Confucianism was adopted by the Han dynasty (206 B. C.E-220 C. E. ) as the intellectual basis for its system of government and its educational program for genteelness officials. Confucius emphasized principles for self-guidance. The key to producing a harmonious life, he wrote, is in how we treat othersour ancestors, leaders, parents, spouses, neighbors, and friends. Two othe r concepts that were frequent in Confuciuss worldview were Tian (Heaven) and Dao (Way). His heaven represented a celestial power connected with the will of decently ancestors, such as the widely known Yao, Shun, and Yu.The Way, on the other hand, constituted a natural rails for humanity. Whereas Heaven emphasized choice, the Way required a yielding heart-mind (xin) two were crucial for achieving harmony in the earthly realm. Daoism is one of Chinas major religions indigenous to the country. The primary belief is in development and practicing The Way (Dao) which is the net truth to the universe. Also known as Taoism, Daoism traces its roots to 6th Century BC Chinese philosopher Laozi wrote the iconic book Dao De Jing on the tenets of the Dao.In the 1,800 years, Taoism influenced the local culture deeply, especially on traditionalistic medicate and literature. Based on some theories of alchemists such as Wei Boyang in Eastern Han Dynasty, different kinds of medicine prescripti ons were created by Sun Simiao and many other doctors. In literature, many fictional characters are closely link with Taoism, such as the Jade Emperor. Their philosophies, though, are like two sides of a coin. Laozi emphasized harmony with the Daoa referent to something that cannot be namedin order to achieve balance in life.To assist this process, Laozi taught his followers the concepts of non-action (wuwei) and shade off and light (yin/yangprimordial, dynamic balancing of opposites). The principle of non-action meant that one should discern the natural course of things and cooperate with that movement. The teachings of Laozi and Confucius were not incorporated into a religious movement until the Han dynasty (206 BCE220 CE). The result was a mix of philosophy and religion.Over the centuries that followed, both Confucianism (Rujiaothe teachings of the scholars) and Daoism (Daojiaothe teaching of the Way) developed elaborate rituals and sacred writings. To this day the philosophies of Laozi and Confucius, and the religious movements their lives and teachings inspired, exist in vibrant forms in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese culture as well. When first introduced, Buddhism faced competition from followers of Daoism. While Daoism (also called Taoism) is as old as Buddhism, Daoism was indigenous to China.Daoists do not view life as suffering. They believe in an request society and strict morality, but they also hold strong mystical beliefs such as ultimate transformation, where the soul lives afterwards death and travels to the world of the immortals. Because the two beliefs were so competitive, many teachers from both sides borrowed from the other. Today many Chinese believe in elements from both schools of thought. Buddhisms popularity, led to the quick conversion to Buddhism by later Chinese rulers. The subsequent Sui and Tang Dynasties all adopted Buddhism as their religion.The religion was also used by external rulers of China, such as the Yua n Dynasty and the Manchus, to connect with the Chinese and justify their rule. The Machus strived to draw a parallel mingled with Buddhism. a foreign religion, and their own reign as foreign leaders. Despite Chinas shift to atheism after the Communists took control of China in 1949, Buddhism continued to grow in China, especially after the economic reforms in the 1980s. Today there are an estimated 100 million followers of Buddhism in China and over 20,000 Buddhist temples. It is the largest religion in China.For most people in China, there is no problem with mixing religious practices. Unlike some other cultures, where religious syncretism and even tolerance are viewed with skepticism or condemnation, the Chinese have always had the ability to select the religious practices and teachings that work best for them at the moment. If a certain deity doesnt answer a supplicants petition, then its on to the bordering temple and deity. In general religious pluralism simply adds to the m any options from which the Chinese can choose on their journey toward a harmonious life.