Oriental philosophies/religions

Question 1

Major philosophies or “religions” in China and the region of the Far East (3)

Answer 1

(1) Confucianism (Confucius)
(2) Daoism (Lao-Zhi)
(3) Buddhism (Gautama)

Question 2

Confucianism

Answer 2

(1) Confucius = Kong Fu zi: “Kong the Grand Master”
(2) Focus on ETHICS and service to others
(3) Heavenly, eternal indisputable laws of ethics
(4) Care/devotion to family, community and state
(5) Collectivism rather than egocentrism
(6) Analects of Confucius
(7) Meditation and prayers; respecting the nature and the universe
(8) !!Confucian Institute for gifted children

Question 3

Taoism /Daoism

Answer 3

(1) Lao Zhi - “Old Master”
-> smiling philosopher
(2) Emphasis on CONTACT WITH THE UNIVERSE: through meditation and listening to oneself
-> To do so, the mind, soul has to be liberated from anger and fear
(3) Learn how to trust your intuition. Be true to yourself.
(4) Sanctity of all forms of life. Vegetarianism, healthy diets…
(5) *Rules of longevity: virtuous conduct, good humor, wise peace, friendliness, healthy diet and physical exercises.
(6) Person as a microcosm reflecting the universal macrocosm.
(7) Non-judgmental kindness, friendliness, positive attitudes, peace/virtuous conduct

Question 4

Buddhism from Tibet, India to China, Japan, Korea

Answer 4

(1) “Buddha The Enlightened”
(2) Humans = intrinsic parts of the cosmic universe
(3) Emphasis on belonging to the universe - Do not focus on the individual self
(4) Terrestrial life as a preparation for eternal state of Nirvana (= FUSION with cosmic spirit)
(5) Based on Buddhism, Zen psychotherapy
(6) To deserve Nirvana: Be moral, meditate, don’t kill animals, control yourself…

Question 5

Zen psychotherapy

Answer 5

Promotes the person’s transformation from excessive passions of anger, fear and desire to balance and harmony, peace of mind, and acceptance of necessities.

Question 6

In modern Japan/Korea, many psychotherapeutic schools find their basis in Zen Buddhism. Buddhist Zen therapies: (2)

Answer 6

(1) Naikan (”self observation”): Meditate on false attitudes.
(2) Morita: Return to the contact with nature

Question 7

Shintoism

Answer 7

(1) Oldest native Japanese religion.
(2) Polytheist
(3) Belief in the intervention of gods and spirits of the deceased ancestors; prayers with INTENTIONS (ask for help) -> spirits of deceased persons help the living people
(4) Shinto religion features a variety of symbols and symbolic ceremonies - Shinto torii gate
(5) Rituals w purification + loud noise to attract gods

Question 8

What is the sacred script of Hinduism?

Answer 8

The Vedas

Question 9

The Vedas

Answer 9

(1) ***The human soul (atman), after liberation from consecutive reincarnations (samsaras), enters the moksha, a perfect union with God (Brahman)
(2) Acceptance of social castes.
(3) Reincarnation might happen to another person’s body of a different social cast or animal’s body; thus, people should avoid killing and observe vegetarianism.
(4) Gurus said: essence of things is invisible, and in order to comprehend it, we need to enter a deep, altered state of mind: “meditation”
=> Meditation = searching a spiritual bridge between the person and the entire universe
(5) Like in Buddhism: decent conduct, self-discipline, humility and ascetism are
recommended.

Question 10

The Vedas - What do they contain?

Answer 10

(1) The Vedas: hymns, incantations and description of rituals
(2) The Upanishads: Vedic wisdoms and interpretations by trained teachers & gurus -> Interpretation of existing writings

Question 11

What was the Persian religion?

Answer 11

Zoroastrianism

Question 12

Zoroastrianism

Answer 12

(1) Monotheism (Prophet Zarathustra)
(2) God = Ahura-Mazda; Daemon = Angro-Mainyus
(3) People have the free will to follow God or daemon: personal responsibility and accountability for individual conduct, choice and negligence.
(4) Charity and friendliness without expecting a reward + Congruence between thoughts, words and actions + Positive thinking and peaceful conduct as conditions of mental health
(5) Illness, as caused by the daemon, must be treated with exorcism, prayers,
incantation and magical rituals - The crime as an act against God must be severely punished

Question 13

Sacred book of Zoroastrianism

Answer 13

Avesta
-> FIRE as a religious symbol of power and change

Question 14

Hinduism, story

Answer 14

Harrapan local tribes (since 2600 BC), gradually (since 1900 BC) mixed with Persian nomads (Aryans) and established the first settlements and cities and a system of belief known as Hinduism.

Question 15

What happened to Persians Zoroastrians?

Answer 15

After the Muslim conquest around AD 800, Persian Zoroastrians converted to
Islam, except those who migrated to India (where they were called “Parsees”).