World Religions

Introduction to World Religions Study Guide

©2018 Achieve Page 42 of 96 Demographics Chinese Buddhists are disbursed throughout China. The southern provinces have had a revival of ethnic Han Shenism. The Chinese folk religion is found in central and northeastern provinces, but they are secularized. Northern Taoist and Buddhist practices are present in the north. In the area where Tianshi Taoism developed, Sichuan is a stronghold of Taoism. Christians are mostly located in the easternmost provinces and coastal areas. Tibetan Buddhism remains the dominant religion in Tibet. Islam is in the ethnic Hui areas, mostly in Ningxia and the province of Xinjiang. There are still many non-Han minority ethnic groups with their own traditional ethnic culture and follow their own religion, such as Dongbaism. Intellectuals tend to embrace Confucianism. 5.2 Confucianism Historical Development of Confucianism Confucius was a Chinese philosopher who lived in the 5 th century BC. He was born in 551 BC on September 28 th and died 479 BC in the Lu state of China, now present-day Qufu. His original name was Kong Qui, but he is known as Confucius. He was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher. His life was noted for being undramatic, or “plain and real”. His doctrine was one of conservation of ancient traditions and the following of the commands of Heaven, which were representing the emperor. Confucius believed in feudalism; he taught that people needed a leader and a return to this system would give them one. He also taught that leaders were appointed celestially and possessed the Te, a scared power. Virtue was a reward and he did not believe in punishment to change behavior. He is most noted for his sayings that continue to live on, such as: “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” “I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.” A book called The Analects was about his life and teachings, and was published a century after his death. Confucianism has lost its importance; today, there is only a small portion of the Chinese people who follow this religion. Mencius Mencius was a follower of Confucius who studied under the grandson. He wrote a book about Confucius 100 years after this death. He stated that people were generally good, but were influenced