Tokugawa Japan’s history began in the 17th century when Tokugawa Ieyasu forged documents in order to validate his claim on the title shogun and ended those who opposed his position. It is during the Tokugawa regime that foreign influences changed and evolved the political, social, and, to an extent, economic lives of the people. From the westerners, Christianity entered and the religion shaped the policies and social issues, also foreign trade affected the natural resources of Japan. On the other hand, China and Korea exerted a lot amount on Tokugawa Japan as well with Neo-Confucianism and the concept of mu’en would change the intelligentsia and aesthetics sphere. In contrast to the foreign influences that developed in the 17th century, there were also movements that came in response to challenge Neo-Confucianism such as Ancient Learning and the revival of Shintoism. With all the foreign influences in the 17th century, it brings to question of Japanese authenticity during Tokugawa Japan. With many foreign influences that helped develop Tokugawa Japan, it is crucially imperative to…
The Daoist thought developed in response to the turbulence of the late Zhou dynasty and the Period of the Warring States, just like Confucianism. Unlike Confucianism, the Daoists considered it pointless to waste time and energy on problems that defied solution. Instead of Confucian social activism, the Daoists devoted their energies to reflection and introspection, hoping to understand the natural principles that governed the world in order to live in harmony with them.…
Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, started off teaching his ideals to only a few students of his, but after he died these beliefs became more popular and even became the framework of some government in china, mainly the Han Dynasty. Confucius believed that keeping family and government parallel to each other and keeping social order was the way to peace. Loyalty and the five relationships; ruler-subject, husband-wife, parent-child, older sibling-younger sibling, and friend-friend, were used to maintain social order. Confucianism stressed the importance of relationships, while Daoism was more about self-worth and finding peace with yourself. People needed to follow their own Dao (way of life) and oath through nature, and not think about hierarchy and obedience to rulers. In Confucianism everyone has their own place, but in Daoism you ignore what society says and find your own way.…
Confucius believed that the Ideal Person should live according to the principles of Jen, Li, and Yi, Chih, and Hsin. These five principles are also known as the Five Virtues. Confucius believed if people followed these virtues in their daily living that they were working towards the perfection that was already inside them. Jen means to live with goodwill and sympathy towards other people. Jen also includes being generous and polite to others. Yi means to respect your position towards others and towards nature. Li means practicing expressing the person’s inner attitude through their outward expressions. Chih means wisdom. By demonstrating Jen,…
One of the greatest areas where Confucianism and Taoism differ is in their primary focus. Confucianism focuses on the social, earthly orientation of everyday life. According to Confucius, humans are innately social beings with a natural capability for goodness, which, if followed, leads to social harmony. If you behave in a way that is expected by the greater harmonious society, you become superior. In Confucianism, a superior man is one who has taught himself to follow societal expectations. On the other hand, Daoism places much more focus on the person’s connection to himself to achieve inner harmony. Daoism is based on the book Tao te Ching, which translates into “The Way of Life.” Its philosophy concentrates on harmony and balance, while pursuing balance in life through meditation and doing only what is necessary. It is much less earthly in nature and places importance on “coming into harmony” with the Dao, the ultimate reality that formed the universe and everything around us. Daoism is an out of world experience that embraces the Tao, which is the greater reality that is composed of the universe and everything else. While they both dwell on the improvement of the individual, Confucianism looks outward to accomplish this, while Daoism looks…
Confucianism believes in teaching moral ways for people to follow to lead a peaceful life. Confucianism believes in five relationships to assist in ways to lead a peaceful life: 1) Father and Son, 2) Elder Brother and Younger Brother, 3) Husband and Wife, 4) Elder and Junior and 5) Ruler and Subject (Corduan, 2012, p. 407). Confucianism believe in one god but also worship ancestors. Buddha is honored by some people following Confucianism but also atheists can also practice Confucianism (Diffen, n.d.).…
Imagine a place where students follow acts of goodness that older students have done, have respect for staff, act kind towards all, and there is no fighting or bullying. If Confucianism was implemented at Evergreen Middle School, that could be a reality. Confucianism is one of the three main Chinese philosophies created during the Warring States Period, a time when rulers fought others to increase their power and land. Another philosophy created during the Warring States Period was Daoism, which was created by Laozi. Some Daoism beliefs include that harmony with nature leads to peace and happiness and that one should accept whatever happens (letting nature take its course.) The other main Chinese philosophy was Legalism. Per Source #5, “Legalism in Ancient China was a philosophical belief that human beings are more inclined to do wrong than right because they are motivated entirely by…
The Confucian system was based on the teachings of Confucius. Confucius spread ideas about political virtue and good government. He was not a religious leader which shifted Chinese values. He emphasized the importance of personal virtue. He believed that if people were taught that they would find a reverence for tradition and a solid political life. Confucius set out to rectify political disorder. He emphasized individual virtuous behavior. He thought that whatever a ruler did, his people would imitate and follow. The people will imitate the ruler’s self control. Confucius set up levels of authority stressing personal restraints and careful socialization of children. Rival Chinese schools are the thoughts and teachings of different philosophers that had different ideas that went against each other, such as Confucianism and Daoism.…
Confucianism is a religion based on peace and equality. It centers on worshipping ancestors, it is the respect of deceased ancestors whose spirits are believed to control the opulence of others. Filial piety is also another trait that Confucianism centers on, which is the faithfulness to respect the elders of the family by the younger members. Confucianism has 6 main primary principles which is the golden rule, the gentlemanly man of virtue, the proper playing of society’s role, the power of virtue, the ideal standards of conduct, and peaceful arts. Confucius founded Confucianism. Confucius referred to himself as an examiner who deliberately tried to claim the meaning of the past by breathing vitality into seemingly outmoded…
He thought of many rules and even a version of the golden rule saying, "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others." (The World Book Encyclopedia 2004 World book, Inc. Chicago IL. Volume 4) Many consider Confucianism as a religion, but it has no clergy and doesn't involve any type of worship. It is more of a guide to mortality and good government. Confucianism originated about 500 BC, and from 100's BC to the 1900's AD Confucianism was the most important single force in Chinese life. This religion influenced education, government, personal behavior, and the individuals' duty to society. Confucianism started because of a philosopher named Confucius, born about 551BC. He believed his society could be saved if it emphasized sincerity in personal and public conduct. The Confucian's believed the key to orderly social life was gentlemen. Confucius believed they were rulers. He wasn't very well known when he came to his death. It was his followers that spread his ideas, Mencius, (390?-305? BC) and there was Xunzi (mid 200s BC). Mencius believed that you were to be born good and he stressed the need to preserve "the natural compassion of the heart" that makes people human. He also emphasized the past as an ideal age and a model for examining present problems. And Xunzi believed "people could be good and live together peacefully only if their minds were shaped by education and clear rules of conduct". (The World Book Encyclopedia 2004 World book, Inc. Chicago IL. Volume…
Confucianism is about respect to elders and education was also important. Confucianism also believed in life goals and what you need to achieve. But on the other hand Daoism is all about knowing and understand how the world works around you. And not try to change it but try to working with it. It proves that Confucianism is not about nature and world but Daoism is. That is why China was able to accept 2 different basic belief systems.…
Looking back on the first civilizations of China provides a reflection of modern Chinese and East Asian societies.…
The first point to be understood about Confucianism is that it is not a religion. Confucianism is an ethical system. However, it does have religious traits (Chiyun 337). The Confucianist accepts the existence of a supreme being. Similar to how Christians accept the existence of a God. The trait of mercy and love is commonly held by Buddhism and Confucianism. Confucianist’s belief in prayer is just the same as a Christian or a Buddhist. The difference of Confucianism in relation to being a religion is that it does not promise nirvana as a reward for believing. The purpose of Confucianism is to convince people to behave by teaching different concepts.…
Are Confucianism and Buddhism religions? To answer this question one must first find the definition of the word religion. According to our text book the word religion come from the Latin word religio which means awe for the gods and concern for proper ritual (experiencing the worlds religion 3). The definition of the word religion according to several dictionaries is a belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and worshiped as the creator and the ruler of the universe, or any specific systems of belief, worship or conduct often involving a code of ethics and philosophy. My personal definition of the word religion is anything that help people develop a self understanding, provides comfort, help people develop values and morals, and something that may answer question that may otherwise be unanswerable. Our text book also states that most religions follow eight elements, these elements are a belief system or worldview which is an interpretation of the universe and humans place in it, a community or followers who believe and practice the religion, central myths or stories that express the religious beliefs of the religion, rituals or ceremonies enacting the beliefs, ethics or rules and guidelines about human behavior, characteristic emotional experiences such as the feeling of dread, guilt, devotion, rebirth, liberation, and inner peace, material expression such as statues, rituals objects, clothing and specific location, and the last of the eight is sacredness or a distinction between ordinary things and those things that are considered sacred (experiencing world religions 45). Although these are some of the characteristic that help us define the word religion, they are not all required for something to be called a religion. Our book also states that religion is also ever changing, and is influenced by the values of the culture in which the religion exist ( experiencing world religion 11). After interpreting the results of my findings for…
Confucianism has a core of morality, ethics, and activism. It encourages social harmony and mutual respect. Confucianists sought to perfect their character by living a virtuous life and seeking goodness. They valued ethics, respect for elders, and propriety. Confucius, the originator of Confucian thought, believed political order would be found by the proper ordering of human relationships, and so did not bother himself with the structure of the state. He stressed that a good government must fill their positions with well-educated and conscientious people, called Junzi. Confucius was followed by his disciples Mencius and Xunzi. They also possessed the same optimism that humans could improve themselves to perfection.…