Introduction
“Very old and continuous” is used to characterize traditional Chinese culture. One of the oldest civilizations in the world is ancient China, which dates back thousands of years. Eastern Asia and the countries around it were profoundly impacted by Chinese culture. Ancestor worship, spirit believing, divination, and respect for cosmic balance were all part of ancient Chinese culture, even though they were practiced differently in different cities and villages. Such traditional Chinese customs are being observed today.
Ancestor worship is a major part of Chinese culture and is a way to honor the people who came before. Ancestral tombs would be lined up in rows near settlements, and sacrifices would be made to honor the dead. Ancestral gifts sometimes consisted of decorative items, pots, and utensils made specifically for the afterlife. According to long-standing Chinese custom, it is essential to honor one’s ancestors, particularly the most recent dead and the family’s progenitor. Sacred rites of ancestor worship, known as Li, are performed to honor them. These traditions include funerals, mourning ceremonies, and endless sacrifices. According to popular belief, the dead may aid their living descendants if given due honor but can turn against them if disregarded (Pat, 2016).
The ancient Chinese had a strong faith in ghosts and reverence for ancestors. The ancient Chinese believed in a wide range of supernatural beings who may manifest as everything from plants and animals to rivers and stones to celestial bodies and cosmic forces. They believe that “all in nature is animated by cosmic energy,” with numerous natural phenomena being worshiped and regarded as deities. Spirits are revered, although demons like the thorn demon and the water bug squad are also said to exist. These “demons” are the source of havoc and hopelessness. Many other strategies were used to ward off these threats, including employing “evil-deflecting” charms, fireworks, incense, spirit medium appeals, exorcisms, prayers, and fasts (Meulenbeld, 2019).
Divination entails consulting with gods and illustrious forebears through omens written on oracle bones. The practice of divination was also highly valued in ancient China. Predicting the future is another name for divination. The divination expert scratched out the king’s queries on huge, flat bones. The effectiveness of future hunting or military missions, or the efficacy of ritual sacrifices, may be among the issues to be discussed. By applying heat from poker, the bones would break into patterns that the expert in divination would take to be messages from the hereafter. Reading people’s faces, their palms, and the most well-known Chinese method, Brazi, are just a few of the many modern divination practices in use (Meulenbeld, 2019).
The Chinese have held the view that qi (ch’i) manifests itself across the universe for a very long time. Qi, or chi, is a physical-spiritual element that generates itself without a creator. It’s the stuff of which everything else is made. Qi has two sides, yin, and yang, whose interaction is responsible for the universe’s constant transformation. Yin represents the passive, receptive, feminine side, whereas yang represents the active, dominant, masculine side. Doa (Toa), also known as “the way,” refers to the belief that enlightenment may be attained by attuning oneself to ever-changing but regular, balanced patterns (Yin and yang Meulenbeld, 2019).
When taken as a whole, these ancient Chinese customs continue to play a significant role in modern Chinese society. Festivals and funerals are examples of modern occasions where these customs are still practiced. The Dragon Boat Festival and the Lantern Festival are two examples of well-attended celebrations. These celebrations are held in the hopes that they may appease the dead and allow them to rest in peace.
Daoism
Daoism is a religion and school of thought that can be traced back to the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu and significantly impacted Asian civilization about the year 500 BCE. It affects the beliefs of the common people and the country. It contains a variety of concepts for living in peace, and these values define how they go about their daily lives. Examples of such are:
The existence of Dao cannot be questioned; the rule states that regardless of whether or not people are aware of Dao, they will always follow Him or Her, whether or not they are conscious of doing so (Sulkowski, 2019). The global energy field of the Dao provides the conduit via which one might get the essential essence. The pursuit of life should not be motivated by the desire to acquire material wealth, honor, or power. The goal is to live a simple, comfortable, and fulfilling life in accordance with one’s nature.
People should live in harmony with their environment and others. They should not unnecessarily harm others and strive to follow the Golden Rule: do unto others what you want them to do unto you. People should exercise moderation in everything, including food, drink, sex, and work. They should not be obsessive about anything and should live a simple life. Lao Tzu said: “He who knows when to stop will be at ease” (Sulkowski, 2019).
The principles of moderation and living in harmony with the environment still apply in modern society. People should exercise caution when it comes to their diet and try not to overindulge in any activities. They also need to live a clutter-free lifestyle to preserve their environment. And finally, following the Golden Rule is still the most important thing.
Another principle is that clarity and purity of purpose are hallmarks of spiritual growth; Daoism, by contrast, discourages the cultivation of animosity and hatred and shuns moralizing and sentimentalism. Daoists believe that a person’s religious feelings go in the way of him or her realizing Dao unity. The idea is that one should be in harmony with the natural order, which leads to a sense of purity. This is still applicable in the modern world since people and nations are encouraged to live in harmony to share resources with the disadvantaged.
Daoism connotes leading simple and plain life – it can be explained as a cultural, disciplined, and righteous life according to their cultural norms (Sulkowski, 2019). This principle is applicable in the modern world, as it stresses moderation, simplicity, and straightforwardness in life. On the other hand, Confucianism is known to advocate for education and the cultivation of virtue. It upholds societal hierarchy and order, emphasizing filial piety towards one’s parents and superiors. These two principles do not always conflict with each other but often must be balanced together for a harmonious living.
Another principle of Daoism is living in balance. This means that one should not strive for too much and not let themselves become overwhelmed by their environment or responsibilities. Connect with Nature – One final principle of Daoism is connecting with nature. This involves taking time to relax and appreciate the natural world around them. It is said that by doing so, one can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the universe.
Confucius
One of the most significant cultural traditions in China is Confucianism.
Confucius, a Chinese philosopher, founded Confucianism on the belief that he could alter human society by altering people’s perceptions of the relationship between God and earthly authorities. His followers documented his teachings on proper conduct and moral character in several works. These beliefs greatly influenced the civilization of China.
Confucianism centers on the belief that one’s moral character is the most important aspect of one’s life. This is significant because, according to the concept of cosmic harmony, it influences the individual’s immediate environment. So, for instance, if the emperor is completely morally upstanding, his reign will be one of tranquility and kindness. However, veering away from traditional wisdom leads to natural calamities and strife. Ren, the virtue of humanity, is the means through which moral rectitude is attained. Respect, compassion, and humility are just a few positive traits that naturally follow from cultivating ren.
Confucianism emphasizes five core values. Example of a person with these qualities is Jen (love, compassion, and kindness); Yi (rightness; the responsibility to watch over nature and people); Li (proper behavior); Chih (knowledge); and Hsin (good sense) (faithfulness and trustworthiness) (Meulenbeld, 2019). Having these qualities is essential for anybody in a position of authority. In addition to the virtues, Confucianism also emphasizes the following five connections. Father and son, monarch and subject, husband and wife, brothers and sisters, and friends all fall under this category. Respect and acknowledgment of one another’s responsibilities are necessary for every healthy partnership. Do not do unto others what you would not want to be done unto you; this is Confucianism’s golden rule.
There is still disagreement as to whether Confucianism should be classified as a religion or not, despite its religious foundations in ancient Chinese rituals and views. The absence of gods in Confucianism is sometimes cited as evidence of why it cannot be considered a religion. In contrast to most other faiths, Confucianism emphasizes the individual’s responsibility for fostering a peaceful and harmonious environment rather than looking to a higher power for salvation. Another criticism is that Confucians don’t believe in an afterlife (Meulenbeld, 2019). In contrast to other faiths, Confucianism places a premium on living in the now. This is because of the irrevocable nature of death.
Although Confucianism stands out as an unusual faith, it has the backing of many other faiths. The ethical teachings of Confucianism are held in the greatest respect by faiths as diverse as Christianity and Islam. For instance, Christians and Confucians agree when it comes to honoring one’s elders and treating everyone with kindness and fairness. The principle of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is universal and found in all major faiths.
Ultimately, I think Confucianism is more of a religious philosophy than a religion. Confucianism is not easily categorized as a religion because it lacks a belief in God or an afterlife. Christianity, for example, relies heavily on Confucian teachings. The followers of Confucianism get wisdom and serenity from philosophy.
References
Meulenbeld, M. (2019). Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and Chinese Popular Religion. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Asian History.
Sulkowski, A. J. (2019). The Tao of DAO: Hardcoding business ethics on blockchain. Bus. & Fin. L. Rev., 3, 146.
Pat, M. (2016). Living Religions.
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