The Yin Yang symbol

Taoist beliefs and practices

-Tao is the first- cause of the universe

- Recognize unity of all things; the Tao surrounds everyone

-Time is cyclical

-Promote health

- Follow the art of wu- wei (do nothing)- choose the natural paths through life

-One should not engage in forced or unnecessary action

Spreading

2.Questions for test

1. Origin of Hinduism

2. Major branches of Hinduism

3. Religious views of Hinduism

4. The main concept of Taoism

5. Views of religious Taoism

6. Meaning of the Taoists’ symbol.

7. Taoists’ views on life

3.Glossary

Adherent- приверженец, последователь-ізбасар

Trinity- троица- үштік құдай

Deity- божество- құдай

Destruction- разрушение- қирату

Spirit- дух- рух

Universe- вселенная-ғалам

4. Task for IWS-Forms of religious Taoism (2), p.100-105

5. Task for office hours- Taoism in China(2), p.72-74

Reference

Mandatory

History of the World Religions, L. 1990(KAU library), p. 123-145

Музафарова Н.И. История религий. М., 2004, стр. 72-89, 95-100, 100-105

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia

Recommended

John Perry, Social Web (KAU library), p.56-67

http://www. bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/world_religions

XII. Confucianism

1.Outline of the lecture

1.Foundation of the religion

In 1982 156,070,100 adherents of Confucianism.

Confucius (551-479 B.C.)

His Chinese name was Kung, his disciples called him Kung, the master (Kung Fu-tse). He was born in aristocratic family who had lost their wealth and position. Confucius grew up in poverty but received a good education.

In his twenties he set up himself as a teacher. He taught traditional 6 disciplines: history, poetry, government, propriety (ethics), music and divination. He had supreme confidence in his ability to reorder society.

Confucius taught that man is the centre of the universe. The ultimate aim of a man is individual happiness.

Confucius discouraged his students from worrying about the afterlife. Instead, he encouraged them to live in harmony and to help other people though government service, teaching, or just being a good family member. He thought that there was great joy to be found in everyday family life, participating in communal activities, enjoying music, spending time with friends.

*So,

Confucius laid great stress on the cultivation of character, purity of heart and conduct. He called a good character the first virtue, a priceless jewel and the best of all virtues.

The nature of man is fundamentally good inclined towards goodness.

In the Great Learning” Confucius revealed the process of self-development; how someone can serve the state:

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His teaching was largely concerned with the problem of good government. He said hat the Ruler should be just, honest and dutiful, he should be like a Pole-star which, by keeping its place, makes all other stars to evolve around it.

*Society was made up of 5 relationships: 1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

A country would be well- governed when all the parties performed their parts right in these relationships. “ There was Tao (a way of righteousness) only when fathers were fathers, when sons were sons, when Rulers were rulers and when ministers were ministers.

2 Teaching

A good person has ren or jen (humaneness)- it stresses the importance of showing loyalty to other people. This is social virtue. All those virtues which help to maintain social harmony and peace(charity, sincerity, respectfulness, altruism, kindness, goodness) are included in Jen.

His “ Golden rule ” is: “ What you do not want done to yourself, do not do unto others ”, “ The injuries done to you by an enemy should be returned with a combination of love and justice”

This yi or li (righteousness) means being obedient to one’s ruler and one’s parents.

Obedience is not blind, however.-We must encourage our superiors to act ethically if the ruler persists in unethical behavior.

Five basic ideas about behavior are:

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The reason why Confucianism was dominant:

It conformed to the needs of the ruling classes. Confucianism thinks that ruler be a father to his people and look after their basic needs. It encouraged officials to be loyal to their rulers and refuse to serve the corrupt; advocated absolute authority of a king over his subject, a husband over his wife, a father over his son.

Confucianism was an andocentric in which women has no dignity and human rights.

Women had to obey absolutely their fathers and then their husbands. Morality, proper speech, modest manner and diligent work were the basic virtues they ought have. In case women were jealous, heavily sick, or in adultery and theft they would be divorced.

2. Questions for test

1. History of founder of Confucianism

2. Spread of Confucianism

3. Main ideas of Confucianism teaching

4. Confucianism as philosophy

3. Glossary

Propriety -этика

4. Task for IWS- Taoism and Confucianism

5. Task for office hours- biography of Confucius

6. Reference

Музафарова Н.И, История религий., М. 2004. стр. 95-100

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