Describe The Role Of Religion In Ancient China

China has been the home to various religions. At different times different dynasties endorsed certain religions while repressing others. While Buddhism flourished during the Sui and Tang dynasty, it faced opposition from the government during the Song dynasty. Confucianism lost government endorsement during the Sui and Tang but gained momentum during the Song as Neo-Confucianism. Yuan dynasty promoted Islam and Tibet Buddhism but ignored Confucianism. Different rulers sponsored and protected different religions but Confucianism and some form of Buddhism have always been alive in Chinese society from 600 to 1450.

New agricultural techniques, porcelain, metallurgy, printing, and naval technology were few of the technological elements that reinforced the established features of social order. New agricultural techniques helped in the expand of their agricultural potential, the dynasties gained reputation from porcelain technology which moderately diffused to other societies producing porcelain in large quantities, metallurgical techniques as well diffused to lands beyond China, printing produced texts quickly and popular works appeared in huge quantities, and naval technology included of the magnetic compass which soon became common for mariners to use. Population growth, patriarchal social structures, and gunpowder were technological elements reinforcing established features of political order. Population growth reflected the capacity of economy and distribution of food, patriarchal social structures included of concern to preserve family fortunes and foot binding, and gunpowder was an element used for military effectiveness. These aspects provided a fundamental change in traditions because they changed their whole concepts of how to use goods as in previous Chinese eras.

China was affected tremendously by the spread of Buddhism from 300 to 900 C.E. Buddhism itself was spread to China around 100 C.E by Indian missionaries, and after taking hold during the Era of Division (300s-500s), it became a household religion (particularly the Mahayana and Chan variations . Buddhism’s popularity rose consistently from the late Han dynasty through it’s peak during Empress Wu’s rule in the late 600s and early 700s. But, the religion’s popularity fell sharply during Emperor Wuzong’s reign as the persecution of Buddhism grew common (CONTEXT). The spread of Buddhism affected all classes and people of China in different ways; Chinese peasants were able to worship this religion regardless of education or social position (though

The main Chinese religions have many key features. The main religions include shamanism/ancestor reverence, Confucianism, Daoism, Mahayana Buddhism, and idol worship. These 5 religions share some features in common. For example, Chinese popular religion focuses on the human being’s pursuit of health, wealth, and happiness in their lives (quote the textbook). Chinese popular religions want the human to be doing well and succeeding in their day-to-day activities of their lives. Another key component of the main Chinese religions is respecting one’s elders. The religions teach the importance of obeying the commands of the elders and honoring the family name. The Chinese allow place a strong emphasis on the temple. The temple is a place where the people could communicate, understand, and learn about their gods (quote the textbook). The next subsections will be describing the key religious practices of each of the 5 Chinese religions.

Pu, Muzhou. In Search of Personal Welfare: A View of Ancient Chinese Religion. Albany: State

based on the style of stone statues. The figures of Buddhist art of Sui Dynasty have broader

In this essay I will be discussing about the different art styles between ancient China and the world of Islam. First off, let's go over ancient China. China has been creating pottery way before the invention of the potter's wheel, hence the reason I think they have a great deal of art in pottery and stoneware. China excelled in objects such as bronze, jade, and silk. Architecturally, ancient China had buildings that featured interlocking clusters of wood brackets, rafters, and tile roofing. In ancient China the painted scrolls they often used vivid colors and showed faces or bodies. Lastly China at this time was very into Buddhism, as buddha is seen in a lot of the art dated back to the ancient times. Now to go over the world of Islam. Islam has a lot of art put into their buildings.

Islamic and Ancient China art forms are very different, yet similar. Islamic art focused on the depiction of patterns, such as geometric and Arabic calligraphy. Instead of human-like figures, because it is feared that the depiction of the human form is idolatry and a sin against God. Ancient Chinese art focused on the depiction of humans and nature in their artwork. Chinese artists did so to capture the relationship between humans and nature.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, power is the ability or right to control people or things. This definition is apparent throughout the history of China and through historical figures. Confucius is one of the most influential historical figures of Chinese history. In Confucius’s mind, the government should retain power, however, not to the extent that they do today. According to The Confucian Ethic and More About Confucius, “the government’s most important job was to inspire people [...] to feed and protect the people and gain their admiration” (The Confucian Ethic 13) . Confucius’ beliefs differ from what is going on now because he is calling for the government to treat the people with respect and take care of them. This may exist somewhat in China today, but China is known for killing political prisoners and silencing people who disagree with them. Mao Zedong, another historical

From the ancient Mesopotamian civilizations to the Muslim world, antiquity has always been filled with religions of all sorts. These religions helped guide how ancient peoples lived life and came about doing even the most common tasks that people like us do today. Religion impacted the civilizations of the ancient world by greatly influencing how peoples of ancient civilizations acted, how they thought about the world around them, how civilizations were organized and maintained, and how they interacted with civilizations of another religion.

This document or speech was written in China around circa 500 C.E. by an anonymous Chinese scholar. The writings are directed at Buddhist followers and whether they are Indian or Chinese is unknown. The scholar’s purpose for writing this is to ask questions to the followers about major concepts of the Buddhist religion. This person asks simple questions about Buddhism and how it’s the most efficient religion. He/she also examines points of this religion that are flawed or difficult to understand like one not having an heir to their life line. Another question they ask is that if Buddhism is so great how come the great sages of the past never practiced it. The answers for both questions are used to clarify the reasoning behind why Buddhist followers

Have you ever thought about Chinese philosophies and Indian religions and how they change or do not change everyday life. Many people may think differently. However I strongly believe that it did affect everyday life.

Codifications and further developments of existing religious traditions provided a bond among the people and an ethical code to live by.

Buddhism for centuries, has long been influencing the population all over the world, specifically in China . Buddhism first came to China as a result of merchant traders from India. From there it spread within the merchant community. It mainly expanded because it gave people a sense of hope and faith with the chaos they were experiencing from the collapse of the Han Dynasty. It also spread because it covered what Confucianism lacked; a more spiritual and emotional approach that appealed to many people of different classes. It is because of this that Buddhism spread and was able to influence and greatly affect China during the period of 300-900 CE. Buddhism influenced philosophy and moral teachings, kept the Chinese society peaceful and orderly, as well as affecting the overall economy. Buddhism had strong religious teachings that appealed to the lower class with the idea of afterlife and nirvana as well as an emphasis on following your own path that transformed Chinese beliefs causing a large portion of the population to convert (doc’s 1,4). Buddhism kept the Chinese society orderly by reminding all of Buddha’s life and teachings with statues and the influence it had on monks to spread charity and missionary work (doc’s 2,3,6). Buddhism also had an effect on the economy of China. As it spread from other regions, it caused more farmers and silk producers to convert and spread the religion as monks and nuns. (doc 7,5).

Many cultures around the world have different customs that aim to separate that culture from the world so they might feel the most prestigious and superior. Many of their customs are used so different standards can be met, like beauty and power. Some of the traditions were outlawed or ceased to be practiced many years ago, but others still do exist. Usually painful customs, they can be inflicted upon both men and woman. They often began with the higher class people of prestige and then filtered down to all classes who aspired to be as the elite did. The practices were also often necessary to find a marriage partner. If the beauty standards were not met, the people could would be considered lowly and would probably die alone. Two cultures that had customs to achieve a unique standard of beauty were Chinese and African cultures. In china, this practice was foot binding and in many African cultures, it is wearing neck rings.