What does it mean to be Taoist or a follower of Confucius?

Do Now: How would you describe Winnie the Pooh and his friends? Which character would you most want to

be like and why?

NY State Standard 2Common Core RS 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and WS 1, 2

While Eyore fretsAnd piglet hesitates

And rabbit calculatesAnd owl pontificates

Pooh just is.

- The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

I Who were Laozi and Confucius?The great literary works of philosophy and religion that became the basis for later Chinese religious and social belief stem from the Warring States Period. However, what we know about the philosophies and literature of those times is limited to mainly just the schools of Taoism, Confucianism, and Legalism because the first Qin Emperor decreed that all literature other than those about Legalism and a few scientific fields be destroyed. There was a simultaneous emergence of religions and philosophies in the middle and late Zhou Dynasty era that is called the "One Hundred Schools of Thought". There were hundreds of philosophers and writers who wrote conflicting documents, and there was discussion and communication.

Warring States Era, China 403 – 221 BCE

On the left is Laozi and on the right is Confucius

II Taoism “the way”A) Laozi, the founder of Taoism in the 6th century BCE, wrote The Way of Virtue, a sacred text of Taoism.B) Taoist Beliefs:1. “Those who know the Tao do not speak of it. Those who speak of it do not know it.”*Taoism needs to be experienced2. Ch'i literally means "air" or "breath," but as a concept it refers to the energy flow or life force that is said to pervade all things. The quality, quantity and balance of Ch'i is believed to be essential to maintaining health and achieving a long life.2. It is virtuous to avoid conflict. Government should be limited.3. Taoism is polytheistic.4. Life and death are merely two aspects of reality. Death is simply a transformation from being to non-being; from yang to yin. Taoism teaches that humans ought to accept life and death as complementary aspects of the Tao.

Taoism Continued…

Most of the time, the yin-yang symbol represents two opposing and

complementary forces that make up all phenomena of life.

Taoism Continued…C) Taoist Practices:1. Tai Chi is a form of moving meditation2. Taoists worship at shrines (sacred spaces)

and temples. These are often found outdoors due to their deep respect for nature.

3. The Lantern Festival is a Taoist holiday which is celebrated during the first full moon of the year.

Taoist Lantern Festival

III ConfucianismA) Confucius (551 - 479 BCE) is usually considered to be the most important and influential Chinese philosopher. His teachings were written down in the Analects by his students. He is NOT worshipped as a god. His teachings greatly influenced Chinese culture.B) Confucius believed in filial piety; respect must be given to your elders and ancestors.

SUPERIOR INFERIOR

Ruler Ruled

Husband Wife

Parent Child

Elder brother Younger Brother

Friend Friend

C) Confucius believed there are 5 key relationships in a society. Only friends are equals. However, both superiors and inferiors must show respect to the other, in order to keep harmony.D) Confucius on women: “Women and servants are most difficult to nurture. If one is close to them, theylose their reserve, while if one is distant, they feel resentful.”

D) Confucius Day is celebrated in China on September 29th.

Confucianism Continued…

Confucianism was made the official state ideology during the time of Emperor Wu Di, who built an academy solely devoted to the works of Confucius. In order to work in any level of the government bureaucracy, you had to pass a civil service exam which was based on Confucianism and Chinese history. The civil service examination system was an important vehicle of social mobility in imperial China.

Focus Questions1. Fill in your Period 2 religion/philosophy chart for Taoism and Confucianism.2. Based on the quotes below and your knowledge of global history, would it be possible for someone to be a Taoist and a follower of Confucius? Explain."A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” - Laozi"Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.“ –Laozi"Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge.“ –Laozi“"It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get." -Confucius"What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.” -Confucius"Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men." -Confucius

Key Vocabulary