Confucianism/Taoism

Question 1

How does the notion of Chun Tzu embodies the essence of Confucian philosophy?

Answer 1

“The central figure”, the ideal of Confucianism – chun-tzu is a “noble man”, the support of the Confucian mind. Its virtues: self-control, justice, piety, and social responsibility. Its goal is public service; personality in Confucian ethics is subjected to the society (Chen, 2010).

Question 2

What is the Confucian concept of Wen and how can it help forge human character and maintain political stability in the state?

Answer 2

the importance of having a good moral character, which can affect the world around a person through the idea of cosmic harmony (human beings are moral beings) (there is no conflict)

Question 3

Are there any similarities between Theravada Buddhism and Confucianism?

Answer 3

Ideal person, religion or not, good person: 4NT (TB) / ethical education (C), founder: nobility, loss, suffering (war/4 sights), self improvement/education, respect for traditions (traditional schools of Buddhism / remembering your ancestors), Dukkha - suffering / Social Chaos

Question 4

What is the Taoist doctrine of Wu Wei. How might a critic argue against that doctrine?

Answer 4

(Action w/o forced Action) (finger traps/balance/push and pull) could lead to passivity or neglect necessary action in certain situations

Question 5

Compare and contrast Tao with the Buddhist notion of Nirvana

Answer 5

Tao emphasizes living in harmony with the natural order and “the Way” through effortless action, while Nirvana in Buddhism signifies a complete cessation of suffering achieved by extinguishing desire and achieving enlightenment

Question 6

Compare and contrast Tao with the Hindu notion of Brahman

Answer 6

both religions are inherently pantheistic. Just as Hindus believe that everything in the world is the manifestation of a nameless, formless concept known as Brahman, Taoists hold that everything in the world is the manifestation of a nameless, formless concept known as Tao

Question 7

Compare and contrast Confucian and Taoist solutions to the moral, social, and political disharmony of the second half of the Chou Dynasty

Answer 7

Confucianism focusing on restoring social order thru ethical conduct and strong social hierarchies, while Taoism advocated for withdrawal from worldly affairs and aligning oneself with the natural order = achieve harmony

Question 8

How might someone argue Confucius’ philosophy was a religion? How might someone argue Confucius’ philosophy was not a religion?

Answer 8

Confucianism is both a religion and a philosophy, it is better understood as an ethical guide to life in the here and now

And the fact that there are no Confucian gods

Question 9

Explain Tao as the ultimate reality. How can Tao also be the personal goal of each Taoist?

Answer 9

their practice aims to align themselves with this natural order, essentially “becoming one with the Tao” through living in harmony with nature and cultivating inner peace by following its principles of effortless action and non-interference

Question 10

What is the overall spiritual or moral problem - central human problem - according to Confucianism?

Answer 10

(Societal chaos) the potential for individuals to stray from their innate goodness and fail to cultivate the necessary virtues

Question 11

What constitutes ‘salvation’ for Confucianism?

Answer 11

Becoming a Chun Tzu — “internal transcendence”, or self-cultivation

Question 12

What is the overall spiritual or moral problem - central human problem - according to Taoism?

Answer 12

Disharmony

Question 13

What constitutes ‘salvation’ for Taoism?

Answer 13

Finding harmony

Question 14

The Five Great Relationships

Answer 14

• Parent <—> Child
• Elder sibling <—> Younger sibling
• Spouse <—> Spouse
• Friend <—> Friend (Elder - Younger)
• Leader <—> Citizen

Question 15

Describe the two major events of the 1900s in China’s history that led to the decline of Confucianism as the state religion/philosophy.

Answer 15

1916: New Culture Movements
1946 - 1949: Communism

Question 16

Explain and discuss how the Four Great Books of China uniquely embody much of what Confucianism is all about.

Answer 16

“The Analects of Confucius,” “The Doctrine of the Mean,” “The Great Learning,” and “Mencius” - embody the core tenets of Confucianism by providing a comprehensive guide to ethical conduct / social harmony

Question 17

What is the Tao Te Ching? Discuss features of it and its significance in Taoism.

Answer 17

“The Way and Its Power,” is a collection of poetry and sayings from around the third and fourth centuries B.C.E. that guides Taoist thought and actions
(81 poems)

Question 18

Compare the main ideas Buddhism with the main ideas of Taoism.

Answer 18

Buddhism primarily focuses on escaping the cycle of suffering through personal enlightenment, while Taoism emphasizes aligning oneself with the “Tao” (the natural order) by living simply and in tune with the universe, often with less emphasis on individual liberation from suffering

Question 19

What is the overall spiritual or moral problem - the central human problem - according to Buddhism?

Answer 19

Dukkha — suffering

Question 20

What constitutes ‘salvation’ for Buddhism?

Answer 20

Nirvana + Karuna

Question 21

What is the overall spiritual or moral problem - the central human problem - according to Hinduism?

Answer 21

The Wheel of Samsara

Question 22

What constitutes ‘salvation’ for Hinduism?

Answer 22

Moksha

Question 23

Ren (Jen)

Answer 23

Benevolence, Compassion “goodness, humanity, human heartedness, benevolence”

Question 24

Li

Answer 24

Appropriateness, Propriety to do w/ rituals & rites, proper behavior (formal & informal), & Worship.

Question 25

Xiao (Hsiao)

Answer 25

Family Devotion, Filial Piety Kindness, honor, respect and loyalty among family (translated as filial piety)

Question 26

Shu

Answer 26

Rightness, an sometimes morals or morality. Reciprocity (Yi)

Question 27

Wen

Answer 27

(Cultivation of the Arts) extensive cultural education “study everything and emphasis in the Arts” -Arts:
1) express our human hearts/souls
2) express our trauma/paint possibly heal them

Question 28

What are the Five Classics of China?

Answer 28

Ren (Jen), Li, Xiao (Hsiao), Shu, & Wen

Question 29

Theravada Buddhism

Answer 29

Nepal/India, few symbols - no confusion/suffering + do what the Buddha did, detachment —> to help / serve (sangha), life after death: samsara nirvana —> moksha, “small vehicle”

Question 30

Confucianism

Answer 30

China, lot symbols ex: nature, yin & yang, hexagroans = six lines, attachment to help / to save, life after death: very little info “heaven,” “All for One”

Question 31

Compare and contrast the Taoist and Confucianist ideas of government. How is it possible, as the Tao Te Ching claims, to govern by non-action?

Answer 31

Confucianism advocates for a government based on strong moral leadership, Taoism generally promotes a more hands-off approach to government, believing that the best governance is “non-action” (wu-wei)
“The Way and Its Power”

Question 32

Give the name of the Chinese Dynasty important in Confucianism.

Answer 32

Chou Dynasty

Question 33

Other Major Confucian Virtues

Answer 33

Loyalty, consequence, self-sacrifice, thrift, and self-control