Connections 8.1Chinese Speaking Religion

and Culture

Essential Questions What are the primary religions in the

Chinese-speaking cultures? How has religion affected the culture

in the Chinese –speaking countries? What is the relationship between the

Chinese government and freedom of religion?

Activating Confucius and Confucianism:

The Chinese-speaking cultures cannot be studied without discussing Confucius and Confucianism and its influence on the culture. Even today, about 2500 years later, his teachings influence the moral, ethical and political thinking in Chinese-speaking cultures.

Review these two sources for your background information on Confucius

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/confucius/ http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/fall

97/11kshinn.htm

Confucianism If you think in terms of a year, plant a

seed; if in terms of 10 years, plant a tree, if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.

What do you think this means?

Silent Graffitti Confucius

Confucius http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-

-AFCI4HCU Do you know any other says of

wisdom from Confucius? Watch the following video and choose

1 saying that you like best and add to your scroll. On the back of the scroll interpret what it means and why you like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFJ07rkeJt8&feature=youtu.be

Jigsaw Activity Follow closely the directions on your

handout

The Effects of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism on

the Chinese Cultue Through the discussions of the previous jigsaw activity,

you have learned the important elements of the different Chinese religions, in particular, Buddhism and Taoism. Although Confucianism is not recognized as an official religion in China, its influence on Chinese culture is important.  In this activity, you will apply three cultural dimensions to the effect of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism on the Chinese culture.

Review the cultural dimensions of individualism/collectivism, power distance, and man-nature (external/internal) control.

Individualism/Collectivism

Geert Hofstede describes collectivism as the degree to which individuals are integrated into groups. On the individualist side we find societies in which the ties between individuals are loose: everyone is expected to look after her/himself and her/his immediate family. On the collectivist side, we find societies in which people from birth onwards are integrated into strong, cohesive in-groups, often extended families (with uncles, aunts and grandparents) which continue protecting them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty (Hofstede, G. & Hofstede, G. J., n.d., para. 5). Source: Hofstede, G. & Hofstede, G.J. (n.d.). Dimensions of natural cultures. Retrieved from: http://www.geerthofstede.nl/culture/dimensions-of-national-cultures.aspx

Power Distance

Hofstede defines power distance as the extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and institutions (like the family) accept and expect that power is distributed unequally (Hofstede, G.& Hofstede, G. J., n.d., para. 3). Source: Hofstede, G. & Hofstede, G.J. (n.d.). Dimensions of natural cultures. Retrieved from: http://www.geerthofstede.nl/culture/dimensions-of-national-cultures.aspx

The Man-Nature (or Internal-External) Continuum

 How societies view the role of nature and man’s role in it is another cultural dimension.  On one extreme of the continuum is the view that nature is specifically to serve man, man can conquer nature, and that all of nature is merely resources for man to use.  The opposite end is the belief that nature (or some spiritual entity) is in control and man is simply a part of it and subject to its “desires.”   Another way to think about this cultural dimension is on a continuum with internal control on one end and external control on the other.  Cultures on the internal control side of the spectrum tend to think that they have control over their surroundings and the direction in their lives. Cultures on the external control end of the spectrum tend to think that some outside power has control over their lives (natural or spiritual).  

Read the two articles below. Using the activity sheet, Religion and Culture in Chinese-speaking Cultures, complete each column giving examples of how the beliefs of each religion/philosophy illustrate which one of the three cultural dimensions.  

Websites: Chinese Culture & Religion http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/china/chinese-culture-

religion/1780 What influence did Daoism and Buddhism and Confucianism have

on Chinese culture? 

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_influence_did_Daoism_and_Buddhism_and_Confucianism_have_on_Chinese_culture

Religion and the Chinese Government: 45 minutes

What have you heard about religious freedom in China?

What is the relationship between the various religions and the Communist government?

Access the following article and answer the questions on the next slide.

The Relation between Religion and Government in China

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thomas-david-dubois/china-religion_b_864469.html

Why would the Chinese government follow a policy of suppression of religion?

What in the Chinese history would indicate that China was historically a religious state?

How does the Chinese government attempt to control religion?

Why does the author state that he thinks that “religion has never been treated as a matter of personal choice” (Dubois, 2011, para. 11)?

Journal Activity

As a summary, briefly describe each of the five religions in your journal and explain what similarities you recognize between the religions.  In addition, describe which religion was of most interest to you. Make sure to give reasons for your selection.