Other Eastern Religions Tips
Read these 12 Other Eastern Religions Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Religion tips and hundreds of other topics.
What is Taoism?
Taoism, or The Way is the all-encompassing force that flows though all - living and non-living. Yin and Yang represent the dualities of the universe: good and evil, darkness and light, male and female. Taoism teaches that one concept cannot exist without its opposite. Through compassion, moderation, and humility, Taoists strive to become one with the Tao.
What are the Majority Religions in Japan?
The most widespread and influential belief systems in Japan are Shinto and Buddhism, often with some Confucian philosophy mixed in. Since none of these religions demand or claim exclusivity, it is common for people to consider themselves a Shinto-Buddhist, and to see elements of all three religions co-existing harmonically throughout Japan.
What is Shinto?
Shinto (meaning the way of the gods) teaches Kami (translated as gods or spirits) exist in all that is natural, and also all that is alive. Shinto emphasizes tradition and family, love of nature, physical cleanliness, and worship of Kami.
What are Confucianism's Scriptures?
The Analects are a collection of sayings and teachings of Confucius, recorded by his disciples. They are part of the Si Shu (or Four Books) that also includes The Doctrine of the Mean (or Chung Yung), The Great Learning (or Ta Hsueh), and the Meng Tzu (containing the writings of Meng Tzu, one of Confucius' most famous followers). Also important, but predating Confucius, are The Wu Jing (or Five Classics). The Wu Jing contains philosophies of life cycles, history, poetry, etiquette and civil behavior.
Who Founded Taoism & When?
Lao-Tse, is generally credited with founding Taoism, although some believe him to be a mythical figure. Lao-Tse is said to have lived in the same era as Confucius; and Taoism's psychology and philosophy became a religion in China when it was adopted in 440 CE as a state religion.
How is Tao Pronounced?
Tao is pronounced dou, with the ou sound being similar to the ou sound in out or the ow sound in cow.
What are the Majority Beliefs in China?
The three most widespread and influential belief systems in China are Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. It is most common to see elements of all three mixed together throughout much of China, since none of these religions demand or claim exclusivity.
How is Shinto Pronounced?
Shinto is pronounced shin-to, with the to sound being similar to the to sound in toe or tow.
What is Confucianism?
As Confucianism is more properly described as ideologies for right living rather than a religion, Confucianism is often practiced in harmony with other belief systems such as Taoism, Buddhism, and/or Shinto. Confucianism places high importance on values such as humaneness towards others, family love, etiquette, and honesty. Important life events emphasized through traditions in the Confucian religion are birth, reaching maturity, marriage, and death.
What are Shinto's Scriptures?
Unlike many other religions, Shinto does not have any set Scriptures. There are important texts however, from around the 7th century CE, called the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and Nihongi (Chronicle of Japan) that contain creation stories and Japanese history. These are usually not studied by the common person.
Who Started Shinto and When?
Shinto goes back at least as early as 500 BCE. Unlike many other religions, the exact origins and founders of Shinto are lost to us. According to the historical chronicles of ancient Japan, there was a divine couple that gave birth to the Japanese islands. This couple was also believed to be divine ancestors to the emperor, who is seen as a unifying symbol in Japan.
Who Started Confucianism & When?
Confucianism is based on the moral and ethical teachings of K'ung Fu Tzu (Confucius), a Chinese philosopher born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu in China. Confucius spent his life giving advice to Chinese rulers, and trying to find one who would rule according to the tenets of Confucianism. Confucius died with only a small amount of followers, not living long enough to see the great influence he would have on Chinese culture.
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