China 2 Flashcards
it is the measure of individual character and such, is the
goal of self-cultivatio
Ren
one of the Five Classics of Confucian
philosophy and has been primarily used for divination. This book is based on the
concept of change – the one constant of the universe. Although change is never-
ending, it too proceeds according to certain universal and observable patterns.
The book of changes
as a virtue is best understood as
a sacred power inherent in the very presence of the sage. The sage was the
inspiration for proper conduct and the model of behavior.
Li or de
was expounded by Lao Tzu during the Chou Dynasty. Taoist
beliefs and influences are an important part of classical Chinese culture. “The
Tao” or “The Way” means the natural course that the world follows. To follow
the tao of to “go with the flow” is both wisdom and happiness. For the Taoist,
unhappiness comes from parting from the tao or from trying to flout it.
Taoism
Known as the “old philosopher”, Lao-zi is credited as the founder of
Taoism and an elder contemporary of Confucius who once consulted with him.
He was more pessimistic than Confucius was about what can be accomplished in
the world by human action. He counseled a far more passive approach to the
world and one’s fellows: one must be cautious and let things speak for
themselves. He favored a more direct relationship between the individual self and
the dao.
Lao-tzu
was imported from India during the Han dynasty. Buddhist
thought stresses the importance of ridding oneself of earthly desires and of
seeking ultimate peace and enlightenment through detachment. With its stress on
living ethically and its de-emphasis on material concerns, Buddhism appealed to
both Confucians and Taoists.
Buddhism
is believed to have been
written between the 8th and 3rd centuries B.C. The basic concept of the dao is wu-
wei or “non-action” which means no unnatural action, rather than complete
passivity.
The tao te ching
was the dominant Chinese poetic form from the 2nd through the 12th
century characterized by: i) an even number of lines; ii) the same number of words
in each line, in most cases five or seven; and iii) the occurrence of rhymes at the end
s of the even-numbered lines.
Shih
was inspired by li sao or ‘encountering sorrow’, a poem of lamentation and
protest authored by China’s first known great poet, Chu Yuan (332-295 B.C.). It
was an unusually long poem consisting of two parts: i) an autobiographical account
that is Confucian in overtones; and ii) a narration of an imaginary journey
undertaken by the persona.
Sao
was inspired by li sao or ‘encountering sorrow’, a poem of lamentation and
protest authored by China’s first known great poet, Chu Yuan (332-295 B.C.). It
was an unusually long poem consisting of two parts: i) an autobiographical account
that is Confucian in overtones; and ii) a narration of an imaginary journey
undertaken by the persona.
Sao
was a poem partially expository and partly descriptive involving a single thought
or sentiment usually expressed in a reflective manner. Language ranges from the
simple to the rhetorical.
Fu
or truncated poetry is a shorter version of the lu-shih and was also
popular during the Tang dynasty. It contains only four lines but within its twenty or
twenty-eight syllables or characters were vivid pictures of natural beauty.
Chueh-chu
was identified with the Sung dynasty. It is not governed by a fixed number of
verses nor a fixed number of characters per verse. The tzu lyrics were sung to the
tunes of popular melodies.
Tzu
is the prerogative of the leading actor, usually a male character, a
scholar, a statesman, a warrior patriot and the like.
Sheng
plays all the women’s roles. At least six principal characters are
played by the female impersonator who has taken over the role after women
were banned from the Chinese stage as they were looked down upon as
courtesen.
Tau
roles usually assigned the roles of brave warriors, bandits, crafty and
evil ministers, upright judges, loyal statesmen, at times god-like and
supernatural beings. Conventionally, the ching must have broad faces and
forehead suitable for the make-up patters suggestive of his behavior.
Ching
is the clown or jester who is not necessarily a fool and may also do
serious or evil character. He is easily recognized for the white patch around his
eyes and nose, his use of colloquial language and adeptness in combining
mimicry and acrobatics.
Chau
was the most important early interpreter of the
philosophy of Taoism. Very little is known about his life except that he served as a
minor court official. In his stories, he appears as a quirky character who cares little
for either public approval or material possessions
Chuang Tzu
was a Taoist teacher who had many philosophical
differences with his forebears Lao-Tzu and Chuan Tzu. He argued that a sequence
of causes predetermines everything that happens, including one’s choice of action.
Lieh Tzu
was not only a Taoist scholar but the grandson of the
founder of the founder of the Han dynasty. His royal title was the Prince of Haui-
nan. Together with philosophers and under his patronage, he produced a collection
of essays on metaphysics, cosmology, politics, and conduct.
Lui An
