Daoism and Buddhism in

ChinaSection 11-3

Standards• H-SS 6.3.3 Know about the life of

Confucius and the fundamental teachings of Confucianism and Daoism.

• H-SS 6.6.8 Describe the diffusion of Buddhism northward to China during the Han Dynasty.

• E-LA Reading 6.2.2 Analyze text that uses the compare-and-contrast organizational pattern.

Language of the Discipline

• Philosophy- set of beliefs about how to live.• Daoism- an ancient Chinese philosophy that

emphasizes a simple and natural life.• Laozi- scholar who founded Daosim.• Yin and yang- two great forces that are at work

in the universe.• Dao- “a way,” “a road,” “the way of nature.”• Amitabha- the sect was based on worship of

this bodhisattva.

Buddhism Spreads to China (Input)

• Missionaries from India brought Buddhism to China in the first century of A.D.

• They were followers of the Mahayana school of Buddhism.• They believed ordinary people could get out of

the cycle of rebirth and enter nirvana.• They believed in the earthly saint

boddahisattvas. These people obtained enlightenment.

• After dath they chose to stay on Earth and help others obtain nirvana.

Pure Land Buddhism(Input)

• Missionaries introduced reincarnation, karma, enlightenment, and salvation to people in China.

• These ideas appeal to the Chinese and gave them hope that they too might escape the suffering of this world.

• Chinese thinkers shaped this into their own Buddhism sects. The most popular was known as Pure Land Buddhism.

Continued…(Input)

• The sect was based on worship of a bodhisattva named Amitabha.• Amitabha promised to save people from

reincarnation by granting them rebirth I his own pure lane know as the Western Paradise.

• From there people could find nirvana.

• Pure Land Buddhists believed that uttering his name (Amitabha) throughout the day-or even thinking his name at the moment of death- was enough to bring about their rebirth in his pure land.

Checking for Understanding

(Review)• “The Four Passing Sights” taught

Buddha• A. that he was destined to become a

king• B. what happens to people after they

die• C. what life was like outside of the

palace• D. the rules for living a good and moral

life

• Answer: C.

Checking for Understanding

(Review)• According to legend, a fortuneteller told

the Buddha’s father that his son would become either a religious leader or which of the following?• A. king• B. guru• C. monk• D. ascetic

• Answer: A

Checking for Understanding

(Review)• The first group that Buddha studied

with in order to learn the truth about life was which of the following?• A. ascetics• B. monks• C. gurus• D. kings

• Answer: C.

Checking for Understanding

(Review)• Which of the following did Buddha

move away from?• A. Eightfold Path• B. Four Noble Truths• C. Middle Way• D. caste system

• Answer: D.

Checking for Understanding

(Review)• What is a state of blissful peace

without desire or suffering called?• A. nirvana• B. dharma• C. meditation• D. salvation

• Answer: A.

Guided Practice and Independent Practice• Students will work on the Reading

Comprehension side of the 8-1 worksheet.

• Guided Practice: #1, 2 and 3• Independent Practice: #4 and 5.