This video will describe the "three teachings", or china's three main religions. This includes Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. It will explain how these religions work together and compliment eachother.
To learn more about the three teachings, and how they compliment eachother, click here. |
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Daoism
Around the 6th century BC Taoism became "the way" as it influenced all aspects of daily life in China and was used as a supplement to other religions or ways of thought. (2) The earliest document about Taoism was thought to be written by Lao-Tzo who is believed to have lived around 604-531 BC. (2) Taosim was thought of as a philosophy until about the second century A.D. when it began being thought of as a religion. (5) Many Taoist religious movements emerged, such as the Great Peace School to spread their knowledge to all types of people. (5) They even started rebellions during the Han Dynasty, such as the Yellow Turban rebellion. (5) During the fourth century A.D., they started infusing Buddhist ideas and practices into Taoism to make it more viable as a religion, and not just a philosophy. (5) To learn more about Toaism (Daoism), click here.
Buddhism
Buddhism was brought to China from traders and Buddhist monks as early as the first century A.D.(2). The Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty can be attributed with Buddhism being brought to China. He had expansionist policies and was the first to push his armies through central Asia, exposing his armies to new cultures. After his armies secured a pathway from China to central Asia, the Silk road arose. After this commercial growth, Buddhist monks also started traveling this path carrying their knowledge along with written word, Sutras looking to convert people to their faith. At this time, the empire was fairly stable, and they were practicing Confucianism, so Buddhism didn't really catch on at first. Then, in the late second century the Han state began to deteriorate and there was a decline of Confucianism. Neo-Taoist began working with Buddhist monks to translate the Sutras and the amount of Chinese people practicing Buddhism increased by a rapid amount. Then in 845 the Tang government tried to suppress Buddhism and withdrew the status of thousands of monks, closed hundreds of monasteries and nunneries and registered thousands of people as "slaves". Then, in the 1960's the communist government closed all the temples. (1) To learn more about Buddhism, click here.
Confucianism |
Christianity |
Confucious (551-479 BC), was a philosopher who founded this religion, which was really more of a philosophy or way of thought. (6) Confucianism was the main religion from the beginning of the Han Dynasty around 202 BC. It lasted until the end of the Imperial period in 1911. (2) About 200 years after Confucius, Menicius lead and shaped Confucianism while it was even more popular amongst the people. (2)
Conucius
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Nestoria Stone |
There was a stone, (the Nestoria stone), found with a date 781 A.D. that spoke about the Christian Missionaries in China. (4) In 845 A.D. Emperor Wuzong banned all foreign religions, and there was no mention of Christianity until about 400 years later. (4) More missionaries came over into the country between 1271-1368, but under the Mongol Empire, all religions were accepted. (4) To learn more about Christianity in China, click here.
Emperor Wuzong
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This video will give you just a little more on the background and beliefs of Confucianism.
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Islam
Muslims entered the western side of the country on the Silk Road as early as 635 CE. (3) In 651 CE, the emperor decided they could build a mosque in Canton City (Guangzhou), even though he didn't want to adopt their beliefs or ideas. Canton become the first muslim settlement in China and was well received, but that was due more to commerce than anything having to do with religion. (3) These muslims that settled there would their wive's names or chose a name that was similar to their muslim name to start integrating into the culture. Meanwhile, on the South coast there were other muslims settling and building mosques and cities with thousands of inhabitants. (3) For a long time, Muslims just tried to blend in wearing Chinese clothes and following their traditions, while even praising Confucianism. Then there was an uprising against muslims for an unknown reason and an estimated 1-8 million were killed while others fled the country. (3)
References
1. Indiana University. (2008). Buddhism and Buddhism in China. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
2. Brooklyn College. (1995). Chinese Cultural Studies: Philosophy and Religion in China. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
3. Review of Religions. (2009). Islam in China. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
4. Christians in China. (2016). History of Christians in China. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
5. Camilli, J. A. (2002). Taosim: The Exploration of Philosophy and Religion in a Chinese Cultural Context. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
6. Pecorino, P. A. (2001). Philosophy of Religion. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
Photos Used
header: By Tristan Schmurr. Temple: roof and dragons. February 25, 2012. Some rights reserved, attribution
map 1: This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Splette. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Nestoria Stone: From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
map 2: CC BT-SA 3.0 .19 November 2008. By kmusser.Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Confucius: Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Emperor Wuzong: Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
1. Indiana University. (2008). Buddhism and Buddhism in China. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
2. Brooklyn College. (1995). Chinese Cultural Studies: Philosophy and Religion in China. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
3. Review of Religions. (2009). Islam in China. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
4. Christians in China. (2016). History of Christians in China. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
5. Camilli, J. A. (2002). Taosim: The Exploration of Philosophy and Religion in a Chinese Cultural Context. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
6. Pecorino, P. A. (2001). Philosophy of Religion. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
Photos Used
header: By Tristan Schmurr. Temple: roof and dragons. February 25, 2012. Some rights reserved, attribution
map 1: This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Splette. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Nestoria Stone: From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
map 2: CC BT-SA 3.0 .19 November 2008. By kmusser.Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Confucius: Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Emperor Wuzong: Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository