CLASS NOTES Confucius: Born during a time of political chaos in 551 BCE, during the Zhou dynasty, into

o a family whose ancestors had been prominent in previous dynasty. Father died when he was 3 and mom when he was 23. Kong the master (Kong= family name) called his teachings Rujiao. His ideas about the importance of practical moral values, collected by his disciples in the Analects, formed the basis of the philosophy- Confucianism. He became a teacher of li and arts of governing. Felt that a return to classical rites (old order of society) and standards of virtues was only way out of chaos, but the rulers would not listen to his ideas. He defined a Strong government need 3 essentials elements: Security (order), trust in leaders and followers, prosperity. (Adequate troops, food and trust) Teach people how to behave in order to save society Mandate of Heaven Personal ethics (ren) and Social/ political. o Modern Chinese character for ren is a combination of two and person, conveying the idea of a relationship. Relationships: Parent: father, mother Child Older sibling younger siblings Husband wife Ruler subject Older friend younger friend The first one listed is considered superior to the second. Each relationship is based on distinct but mutual obligations and responsibilities. Support system. Ruler models himself on Heaven (at the top)- serving as the parent to the people and linking them to the larger cosmic order through ritual ceremonies. Pure Land Buddhism Is a form of Mahayana Buddhism It centers on the Amitabha Buddha-also known (in Japan) as the Amida Buddha The Pure land or Western Paradise is a paradise created by the Amidha Buddha It is a heaven-like place and is either a place of enlightenment or a place where enlightenment is easily achieved The sutras (scriptures) on which Pure Land Buddhism are based on go back to the first century BCE Three sutras are especially important o The Sutra on the Buddha Amitayus (The smaller Sukhavativyuha Sutra) o The Sutra on the Buddha of Eternal Life (The larger Sukhavativyuha Sutra) o The Sutra on the contemplation of Buddha Amitayus

The Pure Land is called Sukhavati (blessed land) According to the Sutras, the Bodhisattva Dharmakara made 48 vows The aim of the vows were to build a paradise into which those with faith could be born after death, never to be reborn again In the Pure Land, there would be no impediments to enlightenment By sincerely reciting the Amitabha Buddha name, the faithful could guarantee rebirth in the pure land