1、1,A GLIMPSE OF CHINESE CULTURE,中国文化概况,2,Philosophyand Religions,3,学习目标,了解中国古代哲学发展及内容； 掌握中国主要宗教的基本概况; 继承和发扬中国传统美德。,4,Overview,5,Lead-in Activity,Watch and & Think,Watch the video clip and discuss: Do you think philosophy and religion are important in our life? How many kinds of philosophical thoughts
2、 and religious believes do you know in China?,6,Overview,7,Text Study,8,Chinese Philosophy,the collective designation ( 总称) for the various schools of thought in China one of the three philosophy systems in the world developed independently with its own distinguishing features, unique concept system
3、s and expressive ways the soul of traditional Chinese culture has developed over several thousand years,9,Chinese Philosophy,The Development of Chinese Philosophy The Basic Features of Chinese Ancient Philosophy Characteristics of Chinese Ethics and Morality,10,The Development of Chinese Philosophy,
4、origins from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties began to take definite shape during the Spring and Autumn Period enjoyed thriving development because of the emergence of the “contention and flourishing of numerous schools of thought”,Outline,11, The philosophy in Pre-Qin times (先秦子学) The orthodox ph
5、ilosophy during the Han Dynasty (两汉经学) Metaphysics during the Wei and Jin dynasties (魏晋玄学) The buddhist philosophy during the Sui and Tang dynasties (隋唐佛学) Neo-confucianism in Song and Ming dynasties (宋明理学) Application philosophy in the Ming and Qing dynasties (明清实学),The Development of Chinese Philo
6、sophy,12,The philosophy in Pre-Qin times,The philosophy in Pre-Qin times was marked by the emergence of various ancient philosophical views. The most influential schools were Confucianism (儒家), Taoism (道家), Mohism (墨家) and Legalism (法家),The Development of Chinese Philosophy,13,Confucianism,takes the
7、 teachings of Confucius as its core of thought regards the words and deeds of Confucius as its highest code (准则) of behavior. advocates: the benevolence and justice, allegiance and forbearance (仁、义、忠、恕), the doctrine of the golden mean (中庸) the ethical relations of men family and social order,Philos
8、ophy During the Pre-Qin Times ( 先秦子学),The Development of Chinese Philosophy,14,Taoism,Based on the work of Daodejing, Taoism promotes the belief that a person should live a simple lifefavours the political principle of “achieving good government through non-action”(无为而治),Founded by Lao Zi and Zhuang
9、 ZiDao is the course, the principle, the substance, and the standard of all things, to which all of them must conform,The Development of Chinese Philosophy,Philosophy During the Pre-Qin Times ( 先秦子学),15,base on the teaching of Mozicherishes universal lovehonors virtuous people, opposes fatalism (宿命论
10、) and aggressive warsupholds thriftiness and simple funerals,Mohism,The Development of Chinese Philosophy,Philosophy During the Pre-Qin Times ( 先秦子学),16,begun by Hanfeiziespouses (主张) laying down laws to unify the thought of peoplepromotes agriculture to achieve affluence (富裕)wages (进行) wars to gain
11、 strength and powerestablishes a system of bureaucracy (官僚制度),Legalism,The Development of Chinese Philosophy,Philosophy During the Pre-Qin Times ( 先秦子学),17,The Development of Chinese Philosophy,blended Confucianism and Laozis doctrines based on The Book of Changes (易经), Daodejing and Zhuangzi, known
12、 as the “three profound studies ( 三 玄)” theme: To explore the noumenon ( 本体) of the universe mainly discusses the propositions of : “existence versus non-existence” “essentials versus non-essentials” “words versus ideas” “fundamentals versus practice” “ethics versus nature”, etc.,Metaphysics During
13、the Wei and Jin Dynasties ( 魏晋玄学),18,The Development of Chinese Philosophy,Orthodox Philosophy During the Han Dynasty ( 两汉经学),“banning all schools of thought except Confucianism ( 罢 黜百家，独尊儒术)” Confucianism served as the ideological foundation of the feudal rule. Orthodox philosophy advocates that He
14、aven affects human affairs and human behaviour finds responses in Heaven (天人感应). the power of the emperors are authorized by Heaven (君权神授). at odds with Confucianism which holds that man is an integral part of nature (天人合一),19,The Development of Chinese Philosophy,reached its apex ( 顶点) during the S
15、ui and Tang dynasties mainly discusses the relationship between the subjective and the objective attempts to gain insight into the universe and human life,Buddhist Philosophy During the Sui and Tang Dynasties ( 隋唐佛学),20,Neo-Confucianism During the Song and Ming Dynasties ( 宋明理学),The Development of C
16、hinese Philosophy,A new Confucianism developed by incorporating Taoism and Buddhism mainly discusses the relationship between human beings, between man and nature, and between man and society, as well as the nature of human beings two main schools: the School of Principle (理学) the School of Mind (心学
17、),21,Chinese Philosophy,The Development of Chinese Philosophy The Basic Features of Chinese Ancient Philosophy Characteristics of Chinese Ethics and Morality,22,The Development of Chinese Philosophy,Application Philosophy During the Ming and Qing Dynasties ( 明清实学),focused on “self-examination” stuck
18、 to the application of philosophy on the state affairs searches for the answers to specific issues instead of abstract study encourages creative ideas,23,The Basic Features of Chinese Ancient Philosophy,Stress on spiritual existence Stress on practice Stress on morality Stress on harmony Stress on i
19、ntuition,24,Stress on spiritual existence,The Basic Features of Chinese Ancient Philosophy,All ancient Chinese philosophers paid attention to the study of existence, striving to achieve the highest spiritual state.Can you find any example for this feature?Confucianisms knowledge of life through disp
20、osition and consciousnessTaoisms search for spiritual freedomBuddhisms “Nirvana” (涅磐),25,Stress on practice,The Basic Features of Chinese Ancient Philosophy,Chinese ancient philosophers were concerned with the relationship between knowledge and practice.e.g. “To prefer it is better than only to know
21、 it. To delight in it is better than merely to prefer it, To delight in it is better than merely to prefer it.”(知之者不如好之者，好之者不如乐之者。),26,Stress on morality,The Basic Features of Chinese Ancient Philosophy,Every school of ancient Chinese philosophy was a kind of moral philosophy. Almost every philosoph
22、y stressed moral practice. e.g. benevolence, loyalty, filial piety ( 孝顺), respect, mutual trust, etc.,27,Stress on harmony,The Basic Features of Chinese Ancient Philosophy,stresses on harmony, and the pursuit of harmony between man and nature and also between man and man. e.g. Mencius said “Opportun
23、ities vouchsafed by Heaven are less important than terrestrial advantages, which in turn are less important than the unity among people. (天时不如地利，地利不如人和) ”,28,Stress on intuition,The Basic Features of Chinese Ancient Philosophy,did not adhere to formal rules of structure and system in thoughtoften re
24、sulted in fragmented (片断的) thoughts written on paperIt was through reflecting on lifes experiences and intuition that philosophical ideas were formed. e.g. Chinese Chan Buddhism ( 禅宗), preaches epiphany ( 顿悟) and emphasises self-restraint and self-reflection by sitting still and reciting Buddhist sc
25、riptures ( 经文).,29,Chinese Philosophy,The Development of Chinese Philosophy The Basic Features of Chinese Ancient Philosophy Characteristics of Chinese Ethics and Morality,30,Characteristics of Chinese Ethics and Morality,Positive: Seeking Harmony and Maintaining Equilibrium(平衡) Collectivism over In
26、dividualism Spiritual Life over Material LifeNegative: three obediences and four virtues the three cardinal guides and five constant virtues,31,Seeking Harmony and Maintaining Equilibrium,seeks peace, compromise, concord ( 一致),unison ( 调和)Maintaining equilibrium is the ultimate purpose of harmony,Ch
27、aracteristics of Chinese Ethics and Morality,32,Collectivism over Individualism,Characteristics of Chinese Ethics and Morality,Traditional Chinese values attach great importance to collective interest. The interest of the society, the country and the family has always been given top priority. An ind
28、ividuals values can be realized only within society as a whole, as that is the groundwork of ones existence.,33,Spiritual Life over Material Life,Characteristics of Chinese Ethics and Morality,advocate morality in daily behavior Self-cultivation in morals is emphasized, and is considered to be more
29、important than ones material life. e.g. showing filial obedience, being amiable ( 友善的) to others, respecting ordinary people and appreciating moral conduct,34,Text Study,35,Chinese Religions,overview,China is a multi-religion country. indigenous religion: Taoismreligions of foreign origin: Buddhism,
30、 Islam, Catholicism and Christianity Among the four religions of foreign origin, Buddhism and Islam are comparatively more influential in China.,36,The Taoist Religion,an indigenous (土生土长的) religion in China.Lu Xun once said, “The Chinese roots are deep in Taoism. If one tries to comprehend Chinese
31、history and culture, he must first comprehend Taoism and the Taoist religion.” evolved out of witchcraft (巫术), necromancy (方术 ) and self-cultivation techniques. highest belief: Daobible: Daodejing,37,The Taoist Religion,Development,founder: Zhang Daoling (“Tianshi”)founded in the Eastern Han dynasty
32、developed during the Sui and Tang dynastybecame very popular during the Southern and Northern dynastiesdeclined during the Ming dynasty,38,Taishang laojun,The Taoist Religion,revered (尊崇) as the originator of the Taoist religion was called him “Taishang Laojun” (太上老君).,39,Taoism Temples,The Taoist R
33、eligion,places for Taoist priests to carry out their religious activities. The layout evolved from the traditional square-shaped Chinese courtyard, also resembling that of Buddhist temples in design.,In front of Taoist temples, there are mountain gates, Huabiao (marble pillar) and fangan (幡杆).Outsid
34、e the Huabiao is the earthly world (俗界), inside it is the celestial place (仙界).In the main hall are enshrined the Three Pure Gods ( 三清) of Jade Pure ( 玉清), Upper Pure ( 上清) and Great Pure ( 太清).,40,Eight Immortals in the Taoist Religion,The Taoist Religion,popularly worshipped by Taoist believers as
35、 well as ordinary people “When theEight Immortals cross the sea, each demonstrates their divine power. ( 八仙过海，各显神通)” represent eight factors in daily life held common, everyday items in their hands, endearing them to Taoist believers as well as to ordinary Chinese people,41,Taoist mountain,The Taois
36、t Religion,located at the southwestern suburb of Yingtan, Jiangxi Provincethe most sacred Taoist mountainthe birthplace of the Taoist religion,According to a legend, when the elixirs were made, a dragon and a tiger were seen above the mountain. So, the mountain was renamed after the celestial animal
37、s (“丹成而龙虎现， 山因以名”).,Dragon-Tiger Mountain,42,Buddhism,originated in India in the sixth century B.C. Sakyamuni is said to be the founder of Buddhism. first introduced into China in the first centuryentered its golden age during the Sui and Tang dynasties based on the theory of samsara (轮回), meaning t
38、hat living beings orbit around the six spheres of heaven, hell and earth, just like an ever-turning wheel,43,Buddhism,Four Noble Truths (四谛):Life is suffering. The cause of suffering is desire. The answer is to quench (抑制) desire. The way to this end is to follow the Eight-Fold Path (八正道).,The Buddh
39、ist doctrines,Everything in the world is changing transient ( 暂时的) and unreal. There is no independent entity ( 实体) or dictator. Life is suffering.,44,Buddhism,Buddhist Temples,Chinese Buddhist architecture includes pagodas, temples and grottos. Earlier Buddhist temples usually combined pagodas and
40、a courtyard-style temple.,located in Luoyang City, Henan Provincefirst officially built Buddhist temple in Chinanamed after the white horse that carried the Buddhist scriptures from India to Luoyang,The White Horse Temple,45,Buddhism,WuTai Mountain五台山,Emei Mountain 峨眉山,Putuo Mountain普陀山,Jiuhua Mount
41、ain 九华山,Buddhist Mountains,46,Islam,founder: the Arabic prophet (先知) Mohammed introduced into China in the seventh century For people of Islamic faith, there is only one God, Allah.It was Muhammad who delivered the divine message and established a social order.The Arabic word “Islam” simply means “s
42、ubmission and obedience”.,47,Mosque,A mosque is always a high-domed building with sweeping arches, flowing arabesques (蔓藤花纹) and towering minarets (高耸的尖塔). Inside, a mihrab, or niche (壁龛), which symbolizes the place where the prophet (先知) led the prayer, is set into the middle of the qibla wall in o
43、rder to indicate the direction of Mecca (麦加).,48,Overview,49,Discussion,The main stream of traditional Chinese culture is Confucianism, the core of which is the doctrine of the golden mean. Can you cite an example in your real life to illustrate your understanding of the doctrine?,50,Students Presen
44、tation,You are a member of the Classic Culture Association in your university. In order to celebrate Confucius birthday, the association decides to hold a Confucius Cultural Festival ( 孔子文化节) on 28 September. You are assigned to be in charge of it. Please discuss with your group members and present a detailed proposal to the association.,The proposal should cover the following points: 1 purpose of the festival2 the activities to be held in the festival3 the desired outcome,51,The End,
