World Religions- Chapter 8

dao

A fundemental concept in Chinese religion, literally meaning the "path" or the "way". In Confucianism, it specifically refers to teh entire ideal human order ordained by the numinous Absolute , Tian. In Daoism, it is the primary source of the cosmos, the very ground of all things.

de

Another fundamental concept in Chinese regions, meaning "virtue" or "potency". In Confucianism, it is the charismatic power of the ruler or the man of virtue. In Daoism, it means the concrete manifestation of the dao

daodejing

Basic Daoist scripture "The Scripture of the Way and Its Potent Manifestation"; also known as the Book of Laozi; the name of its purported author.

In what ways do Confucianism and Daoism complement each other, and in what ways do they oppose each other?

Both have a lot of emphasis on social order and how to behave yourself. Confucianism is more engaged socially and politically. HUGE emphasis on education. Daoism rejects a lot of the social involvement that Confucianism brings

qi

Breath, force, power, material energy

li

Etiquette and proper manners; rituals and holy rites

Why should the term "Confucianism" be used with caution? In what way may it be a misnomer?

Confucius was a person and "founded" Confucianism but really was just a philosopher did not see himself as a founder because he did not carry with him a message from a God.

waidan

Daoist "external" alchemy involving refining of "pills" with herbs and minerals for ingestion so that immortality can be attained

neidan

Daoist "internal" alchemy designed to attain immortality through meditation, breath control, gymnastics, diet, and massage

jiao

Daoist communal sacrificial offerings to signal cosmic renewal and collective cohesion

xian

Daoist immortals and perfected individuals

xiao

Filial Piety; respect and care for the parents and ancestors

gui

Ghosts and demons, malevolent spirits

shen

Gods and Deities; benevolent spirits

ren

Human-heartedness, benevolence; the unique moral inclination of humans

Compare and contrast the Daoist notion of Dao with the Hindu concept of Brahman

Ideal human order is Dao in Daoism. Brahman is a spiritual leader in Hinduism. Brahman is more for an individual than for a community, Dao can be manifested in an individual and a community to create order.

Why is Confucianism a religious tradition despite its lack of concern for the afterlife?

It is a way of living which for some people is good enough. Judaism doesn't have a known plan for the afterlife either.

shi

Men of service, Lower-ranking civil and military officials in the Zhou period

Five Classics

The 5 canonical works of Confucianism designated in the Han dynasty. They are Books of odes, books of changes, Record of rites, and Spring and Autumn Annals.

wuxing

The 5 elemental phases of metal, wood, water, fire, and soil that mutually support and overcome one another

Shangdi

The August Lord on the High of the Shang Period

shengren

The Confucian sage, the epitome of humanity

wuwei

The Daoist notion of action without intention; actionless action

yin

The North facing side of a mountain Represents the energy that is dark, cold, wet, and feminine

yang

The South facing side of the mountain Represents energy that is bright, warm, dry, and masculine.

Tianming

The mandate or command of Tian that confers political legitimacy to the ruler Understood by Confucians as the calling to morally improve oneself and to transform the world

junzi

The personality ideal in Confucianism; the noble person

Tian

The transcendent, numinous entity in ancient Chinese religion; the conscious Will that regulates the cosmos and intervenes in human affairs; conventionally translated as "heaven"

How do Confucianism and Daoism define such terms as Tian, Dao, and de differently?

Tian and Dao are very similar Tian: -Confucianism: The sky, a procreator, not Heaven or a location - Daoism: Basis or natural order Dao: - Confucianism: The search for the Dao, the way, is the ultimate task in life (the message of Tian), its the way in which we should act (Li?) but more of the order of society - Daoism: like how Confucians view Tian, the source of the cosmos, mother to life, compared to a mysterious female De: - Confucianism: Charismatic power of the ruler or a man of virtue -Daoism: the manifestation of the dao

Compare and contrast the Confucian notion of Tian with the Christian concept of God.

Tian is like God but does not have this reserved abstract presence like a Western God. Tian manifest itself in the seasons and in the records of human events to allow perceptive individuals to detect the full content of its command. Once know, you always have a direct access to Tian.