中国文化Religion.pptVIP

* A Brief Account of Chinese Religion The Differences Between Religions 2 The Influence of Religions 3 The Definition of Religion 1 Contents The Definition of Chinese Religion Chinese religion is a general term used to describe the complex interaction of different religions and philosophical traditions that have been especially influential in China. The Main Chinese Religions Confucianism Taoism Buddhism Confucianism Confucianism was originally the philosophy of Confucius who stressed the maintenance of a stable system of inter-personal relationship at different levels of society. Confucian writings discussed the role of the ruler and the subject and proposed moral values to direct them both. The harmony of the natural world was seen as responding to the moral conduct of the sovereign and its people, and the cosmos was thus drawn into the ritual practices of the state. Confucian rituals also embraced all aspects of family life, including ceremonies to show respect to ancestors and the preparation of burials by subsuming the earlier ancestor cults. Taoism Taoism is the indigenous religion in China. It was founded by Zhang Daoling in the Eastern Han Dynasty and became very popular during the Southern and Northern Dynasities. Taoists revered Lao Zi as the originator of the Taoist religion. Taoism originated in the Kingdom of Chu during the Warring States period (480-221 BC). Taoism stresses “non-action” (無爲), as opposed to the busy round of official and social rituals and practices, in order to allow nature to reign. The only way to achieve a free, happy and independent life is to stay away from the constraints of morality, ritual and politics. Eight Immortals in the Taoist Religion Dragon-Tiger Mountain Dragon-Tiger Mountain is located at the southwestern suburb of Yingtan, Jiangxi Province. It is the birthplace of the Taoist religion. According to a legend, when the elixirs were made, a dragon and a tiger were seen above the mountain. So, the mountain was rename