China Religious Terms

Question 1

Shamanism

Answer 1

Shamans acted as intermediaries between people and the spirit world.

Question 2

Oracle Bone

Answer 2

Used for divination in Shang Dynasty

Question 3

Di

Answer 3

The chief sky god of the Shang via the royal ancestors and divination to inquire about future events. (上帝）

Question 4

Mandate of Heaven

Answer 4

The theory that heaven granted authority and legitimacy to a ruler as long as he looked out for the welfare of his subjects

Question 5

Book of Changes

Answer 5

A new form of divination attributed to King Wen during the Western Zhou dynasty. (易经）

Question 6

Daoism

Answer 6

A religion that focuses on withdrawal from empty formalities, rigid hierarchy, and distractions of Chinese society.

Question 7

Internal Alchemy

Answer 7

the art and science of gathering, storing, and circulating energy within the human body.

Question 8

External Alchemy

Answer 8

The practice of dealing with metal and other goods to produce elixir for immortality. (化学的雏形）

Question 9

Literati Daoism

Answer 9

The type of Daoism that primarily focuses on the literature aspects. (mainly writings)

Question 10

Confucianism

Answer 10

an ancient Chinese belief system, which focuses on the importance of personal ethics and morality.

Question 11

Legalism

Answer 11

based on the viewpoint that in order for a ruler to maintain order in society, people must obey a set of strict laws and those in authority

Question 12

Yin/Yang

Answer 12

The symbol represents the complementary nature of male and female roles in the natural order.

Question 13

Divination

Answer 13

The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means. (占卜）

Question 14

Devotional Daoism

Answer 14

Another form of Daoism that praised Master Lao instead of his works.

Question 15

Buddha

Answer 15

An enlightened person

Question 16

Karma

Answer 16

The sum of a person’s actions in this and previous states of evidence.

Question 17

Reincarnation

Answer 17

The rebirth of a soul in a new body.

Question 18

Monasticism

Answer 18

A religious practice that forms rules for the monks to attain higher goals.

Question 19

Ascetic

Answer 19

Someone who gives up pleasures to achieve higher purposes.

Question 20

Vinaya

Answer 20

Doctrine and dicipline.

Question 20

Sangha

Answer 20

A monastic community

Question 21

Theravada

Answer 21

Traditional Buddhism (shave head and become monk) ( 主要遍布在东南亚）

Question 21

Mahayana

Answer 21

Easier for people to attain enlightenment compared to Theravada. (主要遍布在中国，韩国，日本）

Question 22

Chan Buddhism

Answer 22

Adopted elements from Daoism and possible for an instant enlightenment.

Question 22

Eightfold Path

Answer 22

The path to Nirvana; consists of eight aspects right views, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.

Question 23

Pure Land Buddhism

Answer 23

Focus on an individual called Amitabha and students are achieving the spiritual real estate called the Pure Land.

Question 23

Vedas

Answer 23

A large body of religious texts originating in ancient India

Question 24

Verna system

Answer 24

A system based on the social stratification of four basic categories of Brahmins (priests, teachers), Kshatriyas (warriors, kings), Vaishyas (Farmers, traders), and Shudras (workers).

Question 25

Jati

Answer 25

a form of existence determined by birth

Question 26

Moksha

Answer 26

Liberation that is achieved by distancing oneself from the desire for the things of this world.

Question 27

Hinduism

Answer 27

The religion that is evolved from the Vedic religion, making it the world’s oldest living religion.

Question 28

Li (ritual)

Answer 28

When men and women respect their elders and superiors, and the proper rituals and ceremonies are performed. Everything and everyone is in its proper place.

Question 29

Ren (humanness)

Answer 29

Benevolence and altruism.

Question 30

5 fundamental relationships

Answer 30

1. Ruler and subject
2. Parent-child
3. Spouse-spouse
4. younger sibling-older sibling
5. older friend-younger friend.

Question 31

Nirvana

Answer 31

the extinction of craving, or the extinction of the fires of attachment, aversion and ignorance. (end goal of buddhism)

Question 32

4 Noble Truths

Answer 32

1. The truth of suffering
2. The truth of the cause of suffering
3. The truth of the end of suffering
4. The truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.

Question 33

Bodhisattva

Answer 33

anyone who has dedicated their own awakening to the benefit of all others.

Question 34

Amitabha

Answer 34

the Buddha of Eternal Life and is the principal Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism. Buddhists say Amitabha in order to express gratitude, apologies, praise, anger, or sadness.

Question 35

Buddhism

Answer 35

human life is one of suffering, and meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment or nirvana.