TRAD101 Languages & Cultures of East Asiakepeng/EastAsianCulture/PDFs/27.pdf– Confucius also asks Fan Chi to “respect for the Spirits but keep them at a distance.”(6:20) –

TRAD101TRAD101

Languages & CulturesLanguages & Cultures

of East Asiaof East Asia

Interrelationship of Interrelationship of

Confucianism, Taoism & BuddhismConfucianism, Taoism & Buddhism

Taoism and ConfucianismTaoism and Confucianism

•• Confucianism & Taoism have their common Confucianism & Taoism have their common

roots in I Ching (or Yi Jing, roots in I Ching (or Yi Jing, Book of ChangesBook of Changes))易經易經

•• the oldest of the Chinese classic texts the oldest of the Chinese classic texts

I Ching I Ching 易經易經易經易經易經易經易經易經

•• 易易 ((yyìì))

–– Adj. "easy" or "simpleAdj. "easy" or "simple““

–– V. "to change" or 'to exchange/ substitute one thing for anothV. "to change" or 'to exchange/ substitute one thing for another'.er'.

•• 經經 ((jjīīngng))

–– original meaning: "regularity" or "persistencyoriginal meaning: "regularity" or "persistency““

–– "classic (text)"classic (text)““ here, implying that the text describes the Ultimate here, implying that the text describes the Ultimate Way which will not change throughout the flow of time. Way which will not change throughout the flow of time.

–– This same character was later appropriated to translate This same character was later appropriated to translate the Sanskrit word 'sthe Sanskrit word 'sūūtra' into Chinese in reference to tra' into Chinese in reference to Buddhist scripture. Buddhist scripture.

–– In this sense the two concepts, in as much as they mean In this sense the two concepts, in as much as they mean 'treatise,' 'great teaching,' or 'canonical scripture,' are 'treatise,' 'great teaching,' or 'canonical scripture,' are equivalent. equivalent.

I ChingI Ching易經易經易經易經易經易經易經易經

•• Three implications:Three implications:

–– SimplicitySimplicity -- the root of the substance. the root of the substance.

•• The fundamental law underlying everything in the universe is The fundamental law underlying everything in the universe is utterly plain and simple, no matter how abstruse or complex utterly plain and simple, no matter how abstruse or complex some things may appear to be. some things may appear to be.

–– VariabilityVariability -- the use of the substance. the use of the substance.

•• Everything in the universe is continually changing. By Everything in the universe is continually changing. By comprehending this one may realize the importance of comprehending this one may realize the importance of flexibility in life and may thus cultivate the proper attitude flexibility in life and may thus cultivate the proper attitude for dealing with a multiplicity of diverse situations. for dealing with a multiplicity of diverse situations.

–– PersistencyPersistency -- the essence of the substance. the essence of the substance. •• While everything in the universe seems to be changing, While everything in the universe seems to be changing, among the changing tides there is a persistent principle, a among the changing tides there is a persistent principle, a central rule, which does not vary with space and time. central rule, which does not vary with space and time.

Ba GuaBa Gua• set of 64 abstract line arrangements called hexagrams (卦

guà)

• Each hexagram is a figure

composed of six stacked

horizontal lines (爻 yáo).

• Each line is either Yang (an

unbroken, or solid line), or Yin (broken, an open line with a gap in

the center).

• With six such lines stacked

from bottom to top there are 26 or 64 possible combinations, and

thus 64 hexagrams represented.

Ba GuaBa Gua

• Terence McKenna Time and the I Ching 1http://youtube.com/watch?v=IyzdbHvwKDU

Feng Shui Feng Shui

• The ancient Chinese philosophy,

science and art that studies the way

that life energy (Chi/Qi) flows throughout the environment and

the spaces that we inhabit.

• Experience has shown that by

creating balanced and harmonious places in which to live and work in,

the quality of our lives can be greatly enhanced.

Art of PlacementArt of Placement

HSBC in HongkongHSBC in Hongkong

HSBC in HongkongHSBC in Hongkong

Honghong Convention and Honghong Convention and

Exhibition Centre Exhibition Centre

HongcunHongcun

I Ching & ShintoI Ching & Shinto

•• The Chinese 'I Ching' played a significant role in The Chinese 'I Ching' played a significant role in the shifting relations between Shinto and the shifting relations between Shinto and Confucianism during the Tokugawa period Confucianism during the Tokugawa period (1603(1603--1868) in Japan. 1868) in Japan.

•• During the early Tokugawa period, the 'I Ching' During the early Tokugawa period, the 'I Ching' was used to support the unity of Shinto and was used to support the unity of Shinto and Confucianism. Confucianism.

I Ching & Korean FlagI Ching & Korean Flag

Korea, 1893 Royal Korean Consulate in Hamburg 1893

I Ching & Korean FlagI Ching & Korean Flag

Pre-1905 Post 1984


•• Some scholars claim that: Some scholars claim that:

–– Confucianism focusing on Confucianism focusing on ““OrderOrder””, inspired by I Ching;, inspired by I Ching;

–– Taoism on Taoism on ““ChangeChange””, also inspired by I Ching., also inspired by I Ching.

•• Taoism & Confucianism, as old traditions, shaped Taoism & Confucianism, as old traditions, shaped

Asian culture for more than 2,000 years.Asian culture for more than 2,000 years.


•• Taoism: Taoism:

–– spontaneity & natural kinds follow ways appropriate to spontaneity & natural kinds follow ways appropriate to

themselves. themselves.

–– Taoism emphasizes natural societies with no artificial Taoism emphasizes natural societies with no artificial

institutions. institutions.

–– Often skeptical and sarcastic on human values such as Often skeptical and sarcastic on human values such as

morality, benevolence and proper behavior, many morality, benevolence and proper behavior, many

Taoists do not share the Confucian belief in civilization Taoists do not share the Confucian belief in civilization

as a way to build a better world. as a way to build a better world.

–– They share the will to live alone in the mountains or as They share the will to live alone in the mountains or as

simple peasants in small autarchic villages.simple peasants in small autarchic villages.


•• Just like Yin and Yang circling together, Taoism Just like Yin and Yang circling together, Taoism

complements Confucianism to the wholeness of complements Confucianism to the wholeness of

Asian culture, although they are opposites Asian culture, although they are opposites

sometimes on the topic of human perfection.sometimes on the topic of human perfection.

–– Confucius: the responsibilities to society. Confucius: the responsibilities to society.

•• A perfect man: loyal to his lord, obedient to his parents, A perfect man: loyal to his lord, obedient to his parents,

benevolent to others, respect elders and protect the young. benevolent to others, respect elders and protect the young.

•• All these behaviors must be under a good manner and proper All these behaviors must be under a good manner and proper

courtesy with honesty. courtesy with honesty.

•• Individual persons are family members in a familyIndividual persons are family members in a family--like society. like society.

They fulfill their obligations and then enjoy the rights of sociThey fulfill their obligations and then enjoy the rights of society. ety.


–– Lao Zi praises humansLao Zi praises humans’’ relationship to nature. relationship to nature.

•• He believes that the real good behaviors are He believes that the real good behaviors are

spontaneous and natural. spontaneous and natural.

•• Circumspect they seemed, like one who in winter crosses a Circumspect they seemed, like one who in winter crosses a

stream, watchful, as one who must meet danger on every side. stream, watchful, as one who must meet danger on every side.

Ceremonious, as one who pays a visit; yet yielding, as ice when Ceremonious, as one who pays a visit; yet yielding, as ice when it it

begins to melt. Blank as a piece of uncarved wood; yet receptivebegins to melt. Blank as a piece of uncarved wood; yet receptive

as a hollow in the hills. Murky, as a troubled as a hollow in the hills. Murky, as a troubled

streamstream……((Chapter 15)Chapter 15)


•• Confucius focuses on the human. Confucius focuses on the human.

–– In In The AnalectsThe Analects, when Confucius, when Confucius’’ student student ““JiJi--lu ask how one lu ask how one

should serve ghosts and spirits. should serve ghosts and spirits.

The master said, Till you have learnt to serve men, how The master said, Till you have learnt to serve men, how

can you serve ghosts?can you serve ghosts?””(11:11) (11:11)

–– Confucius also asks Fan Chi to Confucius also asks Fan Chi to ““respect for the Spirits but respect for the Spirits but

keep them at a distance.keep them at a distance.””(6:20) (6:20)

–– Confucius does not deny the existence of ghosts and spirits, Confucius does not deny the existence of ghosts and spirits,

but he asks people to get close to humans more, and to walk but he asks people to get close to humans more, and to walk

on the right side with hard working, rather than beg to ghosts on the right side with hard working, rather than beg to ghosts

and spirits for favors without any great efforts.and spirits for favors without any great efforts.


•• Lao Zi: what transcends the human beingLao Zi: what transcends the human being

–– Humans existing as individuals have already Humans existing as individuals have already

disappeared into the vast and solitary nature, disappeared into the vast and solitary nature,

becoming an endurable and continuous movement becoming an endurable and continuous movement

in the Tao. in the Tao.

•• Confucius roams within society, Lao Zi wanders Confucius roams within society, Lao Zi wanders

beyondbeyond……Chinese civilization would certainly have been Chinese civilization would certainly have been

poorer if either had not appeared. poorer if either had not appeared.


•• As for individuals:As for individuals:

–– they follow Confuciusthey follow Confucius’’ principles in societyprinciples in society

–– in the individual spiritual realm, they become Taoistsin the individual spiritual realm, they become Taoists

•• Ideal intellectuals are usually considered to be Ideal intellectuals are usually considered to be

““Confucianism outside, Taoism inside,Confucianism outside, Taoism inside,””

–– which enables them free to advance or retreat in their lives. which enables them free to advance or retreat in their lives.

–– ““When the Way prevails under Heaven, then show yourself; When the Way prevails under Heaven, then show yourself;

when it does not prevail, then hide.when it does not prevail, then hide.”” (Dao De Jing 8:13) (Dao De Jing 8:13)

Taoism/ Confucianism & BuddhismTaoism/ Confucianism & Buddhism•• Taoism/ Confucianism & Buddhism: Taoism/ Confucianism & Buddhism:

–– influencing each other in many ways influencing each other in many ways

–– competing for influence. competing for influence.

•• The arrival of Buddhism forced Taoism & Confucianism The arrival of Buddhism forced Taoism & Confucianism to renew and restructure itself and address mystical to renew and restructure itself and address mystical questioning raised by Buddhism. questioning raised by Buddhism.

•• Buddhism was seen as a kind of foreign Taoism and its Buddhism was seen as a kind of foreign Taoism and its scriptures were translated into Chinese with Taoist scriptures were translated into Chinese with Taoist vocabulary. vocabulary.

•• Zhuang Zi (Taoist) philosophyZhuang Zi (Taoist) philosophy especiallyespecially influenced the influenced the Chinese form of Buddhism known as Chinese form of Buddhism known as ChanChan, which later , which later developed intodeveloped into the Japanese form of the Japanese form of ZenZen. .

Taoism, Confucianism & BuddhismTaoism, Confucianism & Buddhism

•• Some Scholars try to integrate these three Some Scholars try to integrate these three

philosophies: philosophies:

–– Confucianism focusing on Confucianism focusing on ““OrderOrder””, inspired by I , inspired by I

Ching;Ching;

–– Taoism on Taoism on ““ChangeChange””;;

–– Buddhism on the beginning & ending of Buddhism on the beginning & ending of ““ChangeChange””..

Three Patriarchs, Mt. Kongtong 崆峒山崆峒山崆峒山崆峒山, ChinaFamous Taoist Mountain, Gāāāānsu Province, China

Buddha (curled hair), Lao Tzu (center), Confucius崆峒山崆峒山崆峒山崆峒山 = Japanese = Mt. Kōōōōtōōōōsan or Mt. Kotosan


Three Laughers

by Syōhaku Soga曽我蕭白 +1730-1781


Birth of Monkey Demons take away the Master Country cartslow

Journey to the West

Buddhism – for the Buddism Script

Taoism – Monkey King’s Master & Concept of Immortality

Confucianism – Master & Disciples

Three Heroes of Three Kingdoms

Trustworthy & Loyalty --- Confucianism

Zhu Ge Liang’s Feng Shui -- Taoism

Dream of the Red Chamber

Taoism & Buddhism

Documents

TRAD101 Languages & Cultures of East Asiakepeng/EastAsianCulture/PDFs/27.pdf– Confucius also asks Fan Chi to “respect for the Spirits but keep them at a distance.”(6:20) –