Religions of China

Question 1

Paradoxes

Answer 1

A seemingly contradictory statement with deeper wisdom

Question 2

Tao

Answer 2

way

Question 3

chun-tzu

Answer 3

A perfect gentleman

Question 4

wu-wei

Answer 4

non-action (practice of taking no unnatural action and adhering to the flow of nature.)

Question 5

naturalism

Answer 5

let nature take course

Question 6

humility

Answer 6

have simple, “quiet” outward appearance (dress simply)

Question 7

non-competition

Answer 7

Allow nature to take its course

Question 8

passive role

Answer 8

Avoid behavior influenced by social pressure or pride

Question 9

non-aggression

Answer 9

Seek to be pacifists

Question 10

naturalness

Answer 10

Behave according to nature and avoid social pressure

Question 11

Confucius

Answer 11

philosopher, “failed” government official, and teacher whose words were compelled and passed down (the Analects)

Question 12

Mencius

Answer 12

philosopher who added innovative interpretations of Confucius’s original teachings

Question 13

Chu Shi

Answer 13

The great Neo-Confucianist who defined the Four Books

Question 14

Analects

Answer 14

The compilation of Confucius’s sayings and actions by his disciples (The Confucian text that defined the Five Constant Relationships)

Question 15

Book of Mencius

Answer 15

A compilation of philosophical interpretations of Confucian principles authored by Confucianism’s second founder

Question 16

Great Learning

Answer 16

The ultimate vision of Confucian harmony, the Five Constant Relationships

Question 17

The Five Constant Relationships

Answer 17

1. Father and Son
2. Ruler and Subject
3. Husband and Wife
4. Elder and Younger
5. Friend and Friend

Question 18

Filial piety towards “Heaven”

Answer 18

Mandate of Heaven (Be good, follow the way of nature)

Question 19

Yin

Answer 19

1. feminine
2. passive
3. earthly
4. darkness
5. weakness

Question 20

Yang

Answer 20

1. masculine
2. active
3. heavenly
4. light
5. strength

Question 21

Humans

Answer 21

1. become imbalanced
2. tendency toward yang
3. so seek balance
4. to become a “sage”
5. embrace your Yin

Question 22

Tao Founder: Lao Tzu

Answer 22

1. “old master”
2. conceived by shooting star
3. schooled Confucius once; similarly gave up reforming government
4. wrote in paradoxes
5. born with a beard
6. born 82

Question 23

Tao Founder: Chuang Tzu

Answer 23

1. second founder
2. credited for writing Chuang Tzu; inspired its character
3. humorous yet profound lessons and stories
4. moral relativism - no ultimate “right” or “wrong”

Question 24

Experiential “strands” of Taoism:

Answer 24

1. “philosophical” - focuses on the mystery and implications for living of the Tao
2. “popular” or “religious” - strife for personal longevity and immortality (meditation, breathing exercises, and use of medical herbs)

Question 25

2 people who contributed to Confucius learning and how so? (Mythic/history)

Answer 25

His mother and Lao Tzu (child, adult)

Question 26

The era of China's history, which Lao Tzu and Confucius taught (myth).

Answer 26

Warring states

Question 27

jen ("rhun")

Answer 27

Reciprocate the benevolence another shows them (goodness)

Question 28

shu

Answer 28

reciprocity

Question 29

li

Answer 29

Behave properly given the situation at hand (rite/propriety)

Question 30

wen

Answer 30

practicing, skills in cultural arts: 1. poetry 2. music 3. archery 4. horseback riding 5. calligraphy 6. mathematics

Question 31

te ("day")

Answer 31

"virtue" (as shown through the power of example)

Question 32

(other virtues)

Answer 32

wisdom, courage, trustworthiness, reverence, uprightness

Question 33

sage

Answer 33

a well-balanced human being

Question 34

The second founder of Taoism is considered to be

Answer 34

Chuang Tzu

Question 35

Taoist cosmology is based on the “tao,” which is:

Answer 35

the way of nature and the ultimate principle in the universe

Question 36

What is the religious tradition that arose within medieval China as a response to the challenges of Buddhism and Taoism’s popularity?

Answer 36

Neo-Confucianism

Question 37

Based on Confucius’s words in The Analects, when he spoke of Heaven he meant

Answer 37

The moral order that is beyond our power to control

Question 38

Lao Tzu wrote

Answer 38

Tao Te Ching

Question 39

Moral relativity is the ethical concept that

Answer 39

Right and wrong can only be interpreted by the individual

Question 40

Confucius preached that because there is a tao, one can aspire to be a “chun tzu,” which is

Answer 40

A perfect gentleman

Question 41

The Taoist founder whose name means “Old Master” was

Answer 41

Lao Tzu

Question 42

Philosophical Taoism focuses on

Answer 42

The mystery of the Tao and its implications for living

Question 43

In terms of yin and yang taoist cosmology holds that

Answer 43

Balance is the central component of a supreme natural order

Question 44

Paradoxes are powerful for mystics because they

Answer 44

Rely on intuition instead of logic to find meaning

Question 45

Popular religious Taoism focuses on

Answer 45

How to achieve physical longevity and immortality

Question 46

Contrary to Confucian teachings, Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu say morality is

Answer 46

Based on the relative circumstances of each individual

Question 47

According to Taoist principles, what should serve as the basis of one's ethical behavior?

Answer 47

if one focuses on inaction, whatever choices you make will find a natural balance

Question 48

Confucius preached that because there is Tao

Answer 48

There is a moral order that permeates all life

Question 49

According to Confucian principles, what should serve as the basis of one's ethical behavior?

Answer 49

the fact that you always serve as a member of a relationship with others, so you owe them your best.

Question 50

According to the Tao Te Ching (Lao Tzu), the Tao has been defined as

Answer 50

a unified, unseen force that is the origin of the order of the universe