East Asia

From East Asia, great

philosophies such as Confucianism,
Taoism, Legalism, and Shinto
religion developed.
Confucianism, Taoism and
Legalism are called as Taoic
Religions because of the belief in
Tao or “Way.”
During the reign of Zhou Dynasty in
China, particularly during the time of
east Zhou, the philosophies of
Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism
were born.
This was a time of extensive
economic progress, social change and
political development.
However, this was also a time of
wars of estates for the reason that they
have to determine which dynasty has
to rule over China.
Due to social turmoil created by
warfare, philosophies emerged that
attempted to provide solutions to
social issues in China and to educate
people on how to live peacefully.
Confucianism
Confucianism started from
Kongzi or Kong Fuzi which means
“Master Kung.” However, he is
best known as Confucius, the
Latinized version of Kong Fuzi.
He was born around 551 BCE in
the province of Lu (now Shantung).
After he died in 479 CE, his followers
compiled his writings and called it Analects.
One of the fundamental doctrines of
Confucianism is Tian or heaven.
Even though he thought that we should not
waste time thinking about the after life because
we should focus more on social issues, he
believed in powerful forces but also know that
having order in the world still depends on
human and it can achieved by performing li or
necessary rituals.
Even though he thought that we
should not waste time thinking about
the after life because we should focus
more on social issues, he believed in
powerful forces but also know that
having order in the world still depends
on human and it can achieved by
performing li or necessary rituals.
Rectification of Names or chengming
which refers to the Five Relations –
leader – follower,
parent – child,
husband – wife,
siblings – younger sibling, and
friend – friend – are given importance.
According to chengming, order in
society will be maintained if each
person will follow his or her particular
role in the family or society every
time.
Filial piety or respect for the elderly
is also important in Confucianism
because it is the foundation of unity in
Chinese society.
A part of filial piety is the
worship of ancestors, including the
respect for parents and elderly
relatives.
Perhaps, the most popular
Confucian saying is “Do not do
unto others what you do not want
others to do unto you.”
Taoism
Taoism attempted to give
solution to the social turmoil in
China brought about by the wars
among states.
Taoism served as a reaction to
despotic leaders and the morality
set by Confucianism.
The primary aim of Taoism is voluntary
obedience to Tao or “way”.
Laozi or Lao-tzu (Old Master) started
Taoism.
It is believed that he wrote Tao Te Ching/
Dao De Jing or “The Book of the Way and
Its Power” which is a collection of teachings
of Taoism around 300 BCE.
Tao which is considered as
the fundamental principle of
Taoism, is described as the
foundation of all creatures
and the way where nature
and the universe exist.
The concept of Wu Wei or “doing
without doing anything,” which means “go
with the flow” by developing the state of
existence wherein the actins of a human
are one with the natural cycle of the
universe.
It also promotes not using force in
solving problems because of the belief that
the use of force will result in resistance.
The traditions of the followers of
Taoism are connected with putting of
order and security un cosmos levels.
The rituals include purification,
meditation, and giving offerings to the
spirits. Priests lead the rituals with
chanting, playing of instruments, and a
little dance.
Chiao or the ritual for
cosmic renewal wherein
families in a community
bring their offerings to their
local gods is the main ritual.
Legalism
Legalism was founded by Shang
Yang and Han Feizi and
established the belief that a human
is inherently evil so he or she needs
a strong state and an autocratic
leader to teach the people about
goodness and give them a good
education.
This philosophy supports
the implementation of strict
laws and severe penalties for
the good of people who are
expected to serve as a
soldiers or peasants for the
state.
Shinto
Shinto started in Japan around
100 CE as a religion that developed
out of Animism as reflected in their
rituals related to agriculture.
Unlike other religion, it does not
have any definite founder.
Shinto means “Way of the
Gods,” and in fact, Shinto is a
religion that worships kamis or
spirits.
Shinto has two sacred books:
Kojiki and Nihongi.
Nihongi narrates how the gods went
down to Japan through the Yamato clan,
the first dynasty which ruled Japan.
According to the myth, the first
emperor of Japan who is Jimmu Tenno,
came from Amaterasu Omikami, the child
of the gods Izanagi and Izanami (sun
goddess).
Purification is central to Shinto
beliefs, so many rituals involve
water.
Before performing a ritual, people
need to wash their hands and
mouths. This is also what they need
to do before entering the Shinto
shrine.
Worshipping of kamis, dancing, singing,
and offering of food are also part of
cleaning.
Menstruation is considered dirty so in
traditional Shinto communities, there are
separate places for women with
menstruation who are not allowed to
mingle with other people.
Death is also considered as dirty so
there are many rituals involving the dead.
Worship of gods can be done at home
by offering food, flowers, or prayers in
small shrines called ka-mi-dana (kami
shelf) where the small replicas of shrines
can be found and the amulets and mirror
at the middle connecting the shelf and to
kami.
Torii or entrance to Shinto shrine
called Itsukushima which is an
offering to daughters of Susano-o-
ono Mikoto, the god of the ocean
and the typhoons who is the
brother of sun goddess, Amaterasu
Omikami.