Religion and Philosophy in China

6/17/11 Click to edit Master subtitle style

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Outline

Buddhism in Modern China

The Gods Come Home

Quiz Review Quiz Local Religion

Defining local religion The spirit world of the Zhou and Han dynasties

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Buddhism in Modern China

Buddhism seen as incompatible with modernity Criticism of Buddhism from within and without Persecution of Buddhism under the early P.R.C.

Cultural Revolution most devastating period

Revival of Buddhism in the reform era (1978present)

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Buddhist Revival

Only applies to Chinese Buddhism (not Tibetan) Ordination of monks & nuns has resumed Temples rebuilt Pilgrimage resumes

Tourism Economics

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The Gods Come Home

Problem with some ideas presented here:

Contrast of traditional Buddhism with materialism Idea that Buddhist monasteries enjoy sudden new wealth Overstates government surveillance of folk religion

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The Gods Come Home

What factors have allowed for the revival of Buddhist practices in modern China? How do the people here explain their Buddhist beliefs and practices? Which aspects of Chan, Lotus Sutra beliefs, and Pure Land do they reflect?

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Quiz Review

non-self Terms and Concepts five aggregates (factors) samsara impermanence karma life of the Buddha merit transfer bodhisattva Six Paths of Existence three bodies of buddhahood Four Noble Truths emptiness nirvana
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Quiz Review

significance of the burning house parable in Terms and Concepts (cont.) the Lotus Sutra relationship between emptiness and existence significance of the dragon girl passage in the buddha nature (tathagata-garbha) Lotus Sutra Chinese reactions to Buddhism (Guanyin) benefits of worshipping Kuan-yin samadhi of oneness rebirth in the Pure Land practices for attaining no-thought

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Quiz Review

Chan (Chan) Figures and Schools Bodhidharma Shakyamuni Buddha Hui-neng Theravada Tien-tai (Tiantai) Mahayana Kuan-yin (Guanyin; Avalokiteshvara) Nagarjuna Pure Land Madhyamaka Amitabha
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Local Religion

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Local Religion

Terminology problem

No single term for it in Chinese Terms imply hierarchy, contrast to other forms of religion

Popular religion Folk religion Diffuse religion Local religion

Classification problem

Not included as one of the 5 official religions 4/5/12 today

Local Religion

Refers to the practices and beliefs that dont fit into categories of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism No cohesive scriptural tradition Often based on local traditions Incorporates elements of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism

Three peaks model

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Three-Peaks Model of Religions in China

Institutional Buddhism Daois Religions m

Confucian -ism

Diffuse Religion

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Lao Tzu, Buddha, Confucius

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Local Religion in ancient China

Return to religious practices of Shang and Zhou Cosmology Views of the spirit world Communicating with the spirit world

Divination Shamanism Sacrifices/offerings Exorcisms

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Sorceror (Han)

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Tomb Guardian (Han)

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Funeral Suit (Han)

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Tomb Paintings

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Tomb Paintings

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Nuo Exorcism

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Tomb Painting

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Rites of Chou [Zhou]

What kind of text is the Rites of Chou? What kinds of rituals and deities do we find in this text, and why do people perform/propitiate them?

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Songs of the South

How do the authors describe goddesses? How does Far-Off Journey compare to the Daoist material weve covered? What does Summons of the Soul say about ancient Chinese conceptions of the afterlife?

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Spirit Mediums set forth

How does Wang Fu explain the relationship between morality and worshipping the spirits? How does Wang Fu view spirit mediums (those who communicate directly with the spirits)?

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Rhyme-Prose on the Goddess of the Lo

How does this text compare to the Lady of the Hsiang from the Songs of the South? What does this text imply about the relationship between people and gods?

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Discussion Questions

Which kinds of spirits populate the Chinese pantheon in the Zhou-Han dynasties? How do these spirits fit into the religious/philosophical world of Confucianism and Daoism? Which elements do you see here that dont appear in Confucianism and Daoism?

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