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Religious ideas and scientific knowledge of ancient China. History and cultural studies

In ancient China, the worship of natural phenomena and the spirits of dead ancestors was widespread. An early form of religion among the Chinese was the cult of Shang-di, who was revered as the supreme deity, the legendary totemic ancestor. The cycle in nature and the order of movement of heavenly bodies, the Chinese explained by the existence of the sky god. The sky in Chinese mythology was understood as the creator of all things, as a conscious being that controls the world. The believing Chinese believed that Heaven punishes the unworthy and rewards the virtuous. Therefore, the meaning of the life of the ancient Chinese was to establish the right relationship between man and Heaven.

The cult of Heaven is not only mythological representations and beliefs, but also a developed religious and cult system. The sky acted as the progenitor of the Chinese emperors. The ruler was considered the son of Heaven, and his country began to be called the Middle Kingdom. The main prerogative of the Chinese rulers was the implementation of sacrifices and the rendering of honors to the Father - the guardian of the world order.

The priestly class in China did not receive strong development, religious functions were performed by officials. The activities of officials were aimed primarily at performing administrative duties to maintain the social stability of Chinese society. Therefore, the cult of Heaven wore a bureaucratic connotation. The mystical component was also weakly expressed in the mythology of ancient China. The main acting characters of myths are cultural heroes who create crafts, language, crops and much more that people use. Cultural heroes are marked by extraordinary birth, they are often guarded by protective animals, and they become wise rulers or perform great deeds.

The peculiarities of the Chinese worldview are not only an appeal to social problems, but also an attitude about the finiteness of existence. The Chinese believe that the birth of a person is his beginning, and death is his end. Life is good, and death is bad. Chinese culture is characterized by the veneration of ancestors in order to propitiate them and thereby protect the living from their possible harmful effects. The ancient Chinese believed that the most important thing in life should be the harmonious balance of things, this led to the fact that the Chinese consider the goal of their religion to preserve the natural rhythm of life and strive for harmony in all relationships.

The cult of Heaven persisted in China until the 20th century. In Beijing, the Temple of Heaven has been preserved, where sacrifices were made by both emperors and ordinary people.

Term Taoism comes from the Chinese word "tao", which can be translated as a path and explained as the smooth movement of everything natural in the world. The main concept of the Taoist religious system - Tao, is very ambiguous. This is the root, the fundamental principle of the world, the law of being, a certain Divine absolute. No one created the Great Tao, but everything comes from it in order to return to it after completing the circuit. Tao is also the path followed by everything in the world, including the great Heaven. Each person, in order to become happy, must take this path, try to cognize the Tao and merge with it. "Tao is empty, but inexhaustible in application." Tao can also be interpreted as unity with nature through submission to the same laws. Violation of harmony between people and nature is the cause of disasters: famine, war, disease, etc.


The power of Tao is expressed in two opposite sources of energy, yin and yang. Yin personifies the feminine principle - the dark and passive aspect of being, yang - the masculine, bright, active principle. For example, yin is inactivity, winter, death, deprivation, yang is activity, summer, life, abundance. The interaction of these two principles is the source of the cycle of life. All objects and living beings contain these two beginnings, but in different proportions, which are not always the same at different times.

Taoism begins to take shape as a religious and cult system in the 4th-3rd centuries. BC. In the future, there was an evolution of its institutions, the development of theoretical and practical foundations. The founder of Taoism is considered the legendary thinker Lao Tzu (“old teacher”). According to one of the legends, during his last trip, he left a treatise "Tao Te Ching" ("The Book of Tao"), in which he outlined the ideas of Taoism, to a customs officer. According to another version, the author of this philosophical work is the Taoist sage Zhuangzi ("Teacher Zhuang").

As far as politics is concerned, Lao Tzu taught that the less government interferes in people's lives, the better. According to this theory, difficulties in power appear because it resorts to dictatorial methods, forcing people to act in a way that is unnatural for them. If all people follow the Tao, there will be harmony in human relations in the world. The Tao desires nothing and strives for nothing, and so should people.

Everything natural happens by itself, without much effort of the individual. The natural course is opposed by the selfish egoistic activity of man. Such activity is reprehensible, therefore the main principle of Taoism is non-action (“wuwei”). Wuwei is not passivity, but non-resistance to the natural course of events.

For Zhuangzi's worldview, the concept of "equalizing things" (qi-wu), according to which the world is a kind of absolute unity, was of great importance. There is no place in it for clear boundaries between things, everything is merged with each other, everything is present in everything. For traditional Chinese philosophy, the psychophysical integrity of a living being was recognized as real. The spirit itself was understood as a refined material and energy substance - qi. After the death of the body, "qi" dissipated in nature. In addition, Taoism inherited from shamanism the doctrine of the plurality of souls - animals (po) and thinking (hun). The body was the only thread tying them together. The death of the body led to the separation and death of souls. The concept of the qi substance that flows through all living organisms holds the key to understanding the basics of Chinese medicine and therapies such as acupuncture (acupuncture) and acupressure (pressure on specific areas of the body).

Already in ancient times, great importance was attached to the means of prolonging physical life, and longevity has become one of the most important values ​​of Chinese culture.

The path to immortality involved two aspects: the perfection of the spirit and the perfection of the body. The first consisted in meditation, contemplation of the Tao and unity with it. The second included gymnastic and breathing exercises, alchemy classes. Alchemy was divided by Taoists into external and internal. The first involved the search for the elixir of immortality. Taoist alchemists accumulated valuable empirical material in the field of chemistry and medicine, which greatly enriched traditional Chinese pharmacology. The followers of internal alchemy proceeded from the position of the complete similarity of the human body and the universe. And since the human body has everything that is in space, then you can create a new immortal body from the substances, juices and energies of your own body. Particular attention was paid to the management of energies flowing through special channels of the body (jing) and accumulating in special reservoirs (dan tian). Energy control was achieved with the help of concentration of consciousness and visualization (qi gong).

The moral ideal of Taoism is a hermit who, with the help of meditation, breathing and gymnastic exercises, alchemy, achieves a high spiritual state of merging with nature, Tao and achieves immortality. Achieving immortality, or at least longevity, included: "nourishing the spirit" by observing the commandments, "nourishing the body" - following the strictest diet.

The history of Taoism in China is controversial, sometimes the emperors made it the official religion of their state, and sometimes banned it, closed Taoist monasteries. Some aspects of the teachings of Taoism were influenced by traditional folk beliefs. The synthesis of these two factors led to the emergence of a religious cult using witchcraft and superstition. There were ritual physical exercises, special diets, magic spells. Attempts to achieve immortality led to interesting consequences in the popular interpretation of Taoism. Thus, a legend has been preserved that, on the advice of the Taoist sages, Emperor Han Qi in the 3rd century. BC. sent several expeditions in search of the island of bliss in order to get the mushroom of immortality.

Thus, one can trace some evolution of Taoism: first, the assertion that there is complete order in the earthly world and there is no need to change anything, and the later version of Taoism indicates dissatisfaction with its adherents with the existing order of things in the world. And in this case, his followers abandoned the passive approach to life by searching for the elixir of immortality.

Confucianism developed by the great Chinese thinker Kung Tzu, teacher Kun (551-479 BC). Not only China, but also some countries of East and Southeast Asia live by its principles. He expressed his views in the book "Lun Yu" ("Conversations and Judgments").

The peculiarity of Confucianism is that it was originally an ethical-political and philosophical concept and later began to perform the functions of a religion. Confucius lived in an era of unrest and civil strife in the so-called period of the Warring Kingdoms, which completes the history of the ancient Chinese state of Zhou. This period was distinguished, on the one hand, by the fragmentation of the country, on the other hand, by stormy innovative processes, the transition to a new type of thinking.

Mainly, the teachings of Confucius addresses the issues of the family, society, the state and the individual as an individual. To bring harmony into people's lives, the philosopher suggested that they follow the five main virtues. To explain the role of each virtue, Confucius used the fruit tree as an example. “Ren” (humanity) is its roots, “yi” (justice) is its trunk, “li” (ideal behavior) is its branches, “zhi” (wisdom) is flowers, “hsin” (fidelity) is the fruits of the tree of virtue. With the help of "li" one can achieve social and political harmony, which in turn will lead to the highest harmony between heaven and earth.

Best of all, the virtue “li” was observed by the ancestors. Therefore, it is necessary to honor the ancestors, to observe rituals. Once he was asked whether people should perform duties towards their ancestors. He answered with a question: “Without learning to serve people, is it possible to serve the spirits?” On another occasion, he spoke thus: “To strive for the people to fulfill their duty in honoring the spirits and souls of the dead, but to stay away from them. This is wisdom."

Confucius considered folk beliefs to be superstition, paid little attention to the doctrine of spirits and the other world. But he advocated the preservation of existing customs and insisted on the performance of rituals, of which he emphasized the ritual of sacrifice to ancestors. The cult in Confucianism was extremely formalized and performed by officials.

The starting position of Confucianism is the concept of Heaven and heavenly command, that is, fate. The sky is a part of nature, but at the same time the highest spiritual force that determines nature itself and man. A person endowed by Heaven with certain ethical qualities must act in accordance with them and with the highest moral law (Tao), as well as improve these qualities through education. Confucianism, unlike Taoism, argued that a person must act. Only work on oneself will help to achieve moral perfection. The goal of self-improvement is to achieve the level of a noble husband, and this level does not depend on social status, but is achieved through the cultivation of high moral qualities and culture. A noble husband must have jen, humanity, philanthropy. Ren is based on the principle - "do not do to another what you do not wish for yourself."

Confucius taught that a person should adhere to the golden mean - this is the only way to avoid extremes in behavior.

A special place in the teachings of Confucius is occupied by the concept of xiao - filial piety, respect for elders in general. The country is also seen as a big family. The basis of the doctrine of a clear hierarchical division of duties in society, as well as the correct understanding of things and their application, was the concept of zheng ming - correcting names, i.e. bringing things in line with their name.

On the basis of these philosophical provisions, Confucius developed his political concepts, advocating a clear division of responsibilities between members of society. This idea was expressed by Confucius in his saying: “the ruler must be the ruler, and the subject must be the subject, the father must be the father, and the son must be the son.” At the same time, the ruler must rule the people not only on the basis of laws and punishments, but by an example of personal virtue. If the rulers act honestly and honorably, the citizens will follow their example. To clarify his thought, Confucius used a metaphor: “The virtue of a prince is like the wind, and the virtue of the people is like grass. When the wind blows, the grass "naturally" bends."

In the Han Empire (2nd century BC - 3rd century AD), Confucianism received the status of a state ideology, which persisted until the beginning of the 20th century. Gradually, the deification of Confucius himself took place. By decree of the emperor in 555, a temple was erected in each city in honor of the sage and regular sacrifices were held. His canon became the basis of education, his knowledge became mandatory for obtaining official positions. The cult of Confucius was banned after the communist government came to power in 1949.

3. Shinto.

Shintoism is the traditional religion of the Japanese and has not spread outside this country. The term "Shinto" appeared in the Middle Ages and means "the way of the gods." Shintoism, based on patriarchal tribal cults, dominated Japan for a long time, in the period 1868-1945 it was the state religion.

This religion is not based on a system of dogmas or developed theological teachings. Her original creed is "Fear the gods and obey the emperor!". The characteristic features of this religion are love for the native country and aesthetic perception of natural phenomena. Shinto is also associated with animistic ancestor worship and shamanism.

Shintoism has a developed cult of gods and spirits - kami or shin, in the images of animals, plants, natural phenomena. According to the ideas of the ancient Japanese, spirits inhabited the entire surrounding person, the world - the sky, earth, mountains, rivers, forests and even objects. Man also descended from kami and after death again becomes a spirit. The most common embodiment of the mysterious divine power is a stone.

Shintoism stopped at the first stage of the development of religion from the cult of nature. Since the sun was considered the main natural object in Japan (the Japanese call their country the “land of the rising sun”), the sun goddess Amaterasu became the highest deity in the Shinto pantheon. She is the progenitor of all Japanese emperors and the patroness of agriculture. According to legend, Amaterasu sent her grandson Ninigi (translated as "youth-god of abundance of rice ears") to rule over the Japanese islands. He became the ancestor of the Japanese emperors, symbolizing their divine origin. He betrayed the next emperor from the goddess Amanteras three sacred objects: a mirror, a sword and threads with beads strung on them - magatama, which became symbols of the sacred power of the emperors. An imperial rescript issued in 1898 required that schools teach children about the divinity of emperors. It is no coincidence that Japan is called the land of the rising sun and its flag depicts the emblem of the main luminary.

Other gods who originally inhabited the earth include the gods of the earth, sea, mountains, trees, fire, etc. The trinity of great gods, along with Amaterasu, is the god of the moon and the god of wind and water expanses, all objects are under their influence. The world is divided into the upper, heavenly, where the divine ancestors of people live, the middle one - the earth - the habitat of people and earthly spirits, and the "lower world of darkness", where birds carry the souls of dead people.

The gods in Shinto are both the divine ancestors of humans and cultural heroes. There are no sacred texts in Shinto, as such. Shinto tradition was recorded in writing in the works of a historiographical nature - "Kojiki" and "Nihongi". They contain the history of Japan from the creation of the world, presented in the form of myths and legends. According to Shinto cosmology, earth and sky gave birth to three gods, later two more, then five pairs of deities. The gods created the Japanese islands and Amaterasu.

The goal of life in Shintoism is the embodiment of the ideals of the ancestors, and salvation is achieved in this, and not the other world, by spiritual merging with the deity through prayers and rituals. Salvation - in the ascension of gratitude to the kami and their ancestors, in life in harmony with nature, in constant spiritual connection with the gods. All that Shinto requires of people is to live peacefully and not be defiled, avoiding the action of evil spirits.

In the early stages of the development of Shinto, shamanic rites were widespread, the cult was seasonal. Temporary temples were built from thin, freshly cut trees, bundles of which supported a roof covered with foliage. The floors in such temples were covered with grass, which was a symbol of the unity of man with nature, the involvement of human life in the earth, fertility.

Later, spacious wooden temples were built, the architecture of which is connected with the landscape. In addition, each house has a small altar. The presence of an altar in a temple or home is symbolized by its emblem or sculpture. In Shinto there is no anthropomorphic depiction of the gods.

The system of cult actions was developed scrupulously: the rite of individual prayer of the parishioner, collective temple actions - cleansing, sacrifices, complex procedures of temple holidays. The prayer ceremony is simple - a coin is thrown into a wooden box in front of the altar, then the deity is "attracted" with a few handclaps and a prayer is said. The rite of purification consists in washing hands with water and rinsing the mouth, and the mass purification procedure consists in sprinkling believers with salt water and sprinkling with salt. The sacrifice includes the offering of rice, cakes, gifts to the temple. The rite of libation is a joint meal of parishioners, when soke is drunk and part of the sacrifices is eaten, which symbolizes the participation of the gods in the meal.

Of great importance in the development of the Shinto ritual were calendar customs and rituals that arose in ancient times and were associated with prayers for the harvest. The deity was not only requested, but also entertained, resulting in a series of festivals in honor of the various gods who patronize the harvest. Part of the Shinto cult are holidays associated with the history of the shrine. Most local holidays are characterized by originality and unique individuality. A holiday that all of Japan celebrates from August 13 to 15 is Bon Matsuri - the Festival of the Lost Souls. According to legend, these days the souls of the dead return to their families again. In order for the soul not to get lost, relatives light lanterns, and toy boats with food are lowered into the water.

The struggle for power between the clans contributed to the penetration of Confucianism and Buddhism into the Japanese islands. After the victory of the Soga clan in the 6th century, Buddhism began to spread widely, accompanied by the construction of monasteries and temples. Buddhas and bohisattvas entered the Shinto pantheon as new gods. Shinto gods are recognized as avatars of various deities in Buddhism. Buddhism supplemented the religious worldview of the Japanese with its attention to the inner world of the individual. Local cults and Buddhism divided among themselves the functions associated with special moments in the life of the Japanese: bright, joyful events - birth, marriage - remained in the introduction of tribal gods. Death, interpreted by Shinto as filth, took Buddhism under the protection, providing the concept of nirvana. This is how the process of connecting the two religions gradually takes place - in Japanese terminology, "rebusito" - "the path of Buddhism and Shinto."

An important stage in the development of Shintoism was the formation in the Middle Ages of the cult of the emperor - tennoism. In the Meiji era, from 1868, when the modernization of all spheres of Japanese life began, Shinto was proclaimed the state religion. His reform led to the division of Shinto into four currents: Imperial Shinto, Temple Shinto, Sectarian Shinto, and Folk Shinto.

After the defeat of Japan in World War II, the democratization of the country began and the eradication of militarism and tennoism began. At present, there are more than 100 million Shintoists in Japan and almost the same number of Buddhists. The worldview of the Japanese is based on the combination of Shinto and Buddhism. Many Japanese consider Shinto as a spiritual heritage associated with the national idea, the preservation of traditions. The priorities of Shinto - the cult of nature and ancestors - in the modern world are in demand as humanitarian values. The Shinto shrine has always been and remains today the organizing and unifying principle of life, a symbol of social balance in society.

Literature

1. Baranov I. Beliefs and customs of the Chinese / I. Baranov. - M., 1999.

2. Vasiliev L.S. History of Religions of the East / L.S. Vasiliev. – M.; Rostov n / a, 1999.

3. Wong E. Taoism: trans. from English. / E. Wong. - M., 2001.

4. Guseva N.R. Hinduism / N.R. Guseva. - M., 1977.

5. History and culture of ancient India: texts. - M., 1989.

6. Confucius. Conversations and judgments of Confucius / ed. R.V. Grishchenkova. - SPb., 2001.

7. Meshcheryakov A.I. Ancient Japan: Buddhism and Shinto / A.I. Meshcheryakov. - M., 1987.

8. Religion of China: an anthology. - St. Petersburg, 2001.

9. Svetlov G.E. The Way of the Gods (Shinto in Japan) / G.E. Svetlov. - M., 1985.

10. Kislyuk, K.V. Religious studies: textbook. Allowance for higher. Proc. Establishments /K.V.Kislyuk, O.I.Kucher. - Rostov n / D., 2003.

11. From the instructions of Ayurveda. // Science and religion. 2009. No. 3.

12. Daragan V. Favorite of all India. // Science and religion. 2009. №3.

13. Berzin, E. Confucianism / E. Berzin // Science and Life. - 1994. - No. 5.

14. Guseva, N.R. Hinduism / N.R. Guseva // Science and life. - 1994. - No. 7.

15. http://www.au.ru/japan/htm/dao 1.htm (Taoism)

16. http:/www.hinduismtodau.kauai.hi us/htodau.html (Hinduism)

Religion in ancient China

If India is the realm of religions, and the religious thinking of the Indian is saturated with metaphysical speculations, then China is a civilization of a different type. Social ethics and administrative practice have always played a much greater role here than mystical abstractions and individualistic searches for salvation. A sober and rationalistically thinking Chinese never thought too much about the mysteries of being and the problems of life and death, but he always saw before him the standard of the highest virtue and considered it his sacred duty to imitate him. If the characteristic ethnopsychological feature of the Indian is his introversion, which in its extreme expression leads to asceticism, yoga, monasticism of a strict style, to the desire of the individual to dissolve in the Absolute and thereby save his immortal soul from the material shell that binds it, then the true Chinese valued the material shell above all else. shell, i.e. your life. The greatest and generally recognized prophets here were considered, first of all, those who taught to live with dignity and in accordance with the accepted norm, to live for the sake of life, and not in the name of bliss in the other world or salvation from suffering. At the same time, ethically determined rationalism was the dominant feature that determined the norms of the social and family life of the Chinese.

The specificity of the religious structure and psychological characteristics of thinking, of the entire spiritual orientation in China is visible in many ways.

In China, too, there is a higher divine principle - Heaven. But the Chinese Sky is not Yahweh, not Jesus, not Allah, not Brahman, and not Buddha. This is the highest supreme universality, abstract and cold, strict and indifferent to man. You cannot love her, you cannot merge with her, it is impossible to imitate her, just as there is no point in admiring her. True, in the system of Chinese religious and philosophical thought, there existed, in addition to Heaven, Buddha (the idea of ​​him penetrated China along with Buddhism from India at the beginning of our era), and Tao "(the main category of religious and philosophical Taoism), and Tao in its Taoist interpretation (there was another interpretation, the Confucian one, which perceived Tao as the Great Way of Truth and Virtue) is close to the Indian Brahman. However, neither Buddha nor Tao, but precisely the Sky has always been the central category of the supreme universality in China.

The most important feature of the ancient Chinese religion was the very insignificant role of mythology. Unlike all other early societies and corresponding religious systems, in which it was mythological legends and legends that determined the whole face of spiritual culture, in China, from ancient times, the place of myths was taken by historicized legends about wise and just rulers. The legendary sages Yao, Shun and Yu, and then cultural heroes such as Huangdi and Shennong, who became their first ancestors and first rulers in the minds of the ancient Chinese, replaced numerous revered gods. Closely associated with all these figures, the cult of ethical norms (justice, wisdom, virtue, striving for social harmony, etc.) pushed into the background the purely religious ideas of sacred power, supernatural power and mystical unknowability of higher powers. In other words, in ancient China, from a very early time, there was a noticeable process of demythologization and desacralization of the religious perception of the world. The deities, as it were, descended to earth and turned into wise and just figures, whose cult in China grew over the centuries. And although from the Han era (3rd century BC - 3rd century AD), the situation in this regard began to change (many new deities and mythological traditions associated with them appeared, and this was partly due to the emergence of and the recording of popular beliefs and numerous superstitions, which until then remained as if in the shadows or existed among the national minorities included in the empire), this had little effect on the character of Chinese religions. Ethically determined rationalism, framed by desacralized ritual, has become the foundation of the Chinese way of life since ancient times. It was not religion as such, but primarily ritualized ethics that shaped the face of Chinese traditional culture. All this affected the character of Chinese religions, beginning with the ancient Chinese.

For example, the circumstance that the religious structure of China has always been characterized by an insignificant and socially insignificant role of the clergy, the priesthood, deserves attention. The Chinese have never known anything like the class of the ulema or the influential castes of the Brahmins. They usually treated Buddhist and especially Taoist monks with poorly concealed disdain, without proper respect and reverence. As for the Confucian scholars, who most often performed the most important functions of priests (during cult celebrations in honor of Heaven, the most important deities, spirits and ancestors), it was they who were a respected and privileged class in China; however, they were not so much priests as officials, so that their proper religious functions always remained in the background.

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China is a unique country with a rich history and interesting culture. One of the main components of spiritual culture is religious beliefs formed as a result of national original traditions and customs.

The Chinese national religion was formed in ancient times, but its echoes, along with all world religions, can still be found in this state.

Religions of Ancient China

The oldest religion in China is Shanism.(faith in the souls of ancestors). It was formed from myths, traditions and legends, as well as from national worship before even the most distant ancestors.

Shens are large and small deities, mythical creatures, spirits, epic heroes and the most revered people of everyone. kind.

The ancient religion of China believes that the whole world is full of spirits that affect all processes in nature and society.

First, it is the moon, stars, planets, rivers and seas, trees, flowers and stones. According to Shenism beliefs, absolutely everything in nature has its own eternal and immortal soul, which does not die along with the physical body.

Secondly, these are the spirits that patronize individual cities, settlements and regions and are responsible for their prosperity and well-being.

Thirdly, spirits patronizing crafts and economic activities of a person, as well as spirits - patrons of the hearth, family, childbirth.

Fourthly, the spirits of especially revered ancestors and outstanding people who enjoy universal respect, according to whose precepts you need to build your life.

In almost any house in China, one can find something like a home altar in a place of honor, on which there are wooden or metal figurines - idols, personifying the spirits of the house and family. On holidays, they are decorated with flowers and incense sticks are lit near them.

The veneration of the spirits of ancestors is the main integral part of Chinese national culture, and is also reflected in the foundations of many folk religions in China. The places of worship for household spirits are graves, burial mounds, domestic tombs or ancestral temples.

In addition to the Chinese folk religion, all Chinese national minorities also have their own religious beliefs. One such religion is the belief of Moz. It mixed elements of animism, shamanism, polytheism, as well as the most ancient mythological ideas about the world.

Before the advent of Buddhism, the Bon movement originated in some areas of China, founded by the mythical character Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche. The adherents of this movement accepted the teachings of the Buddha with joy, because the dogmas of these beliefs are in many ways similar.

The Qian people inhabiting Sichuan professed the White Stone Religion, which consists in worshiping the forces of nature and the elements.

All the imperial dynasties of ancient China professed the worship of Heaven. The emperor himself was called the "Son of Heaven", and the Chinese called their country the "Celestial Empire".

Sacrifices were made to heaven, but only representatives of the highest nobility and the imperial family did it in the largest temples of the country. With the disappearance of the monarchy in China, this religion also disappeared. The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is a historical and architectural monument that perpetuated the traditions of worshiping Heaven.

Tao - Eternal Way

Another ancient religion in China this is Taoism. Tao is the eternal way on which everyone living on earth moves. The main goal of those who profess this religion is to know Tao — Something Unknown, Cosmic, Universal. Merge with him in harmony and follow the path of grace and virtue. The philosophy of Feng Shui, which is gaining more and more popularity these days, originated precisely in Taoism. This also includes some martial arts (it must be remembered that in the East martial arts are not only a way of survival, but also a whole moral and ethical philosophy of life), breathing exercises, alchemy, astrology and traditional medicine. Nowadays, many medicines were created according to the recipes of ancient alchemists - astrologers who profess the religion of Tao.

Teachings of Confucius

The national religion enjoys special reverence and respect in China. Confucianism.

This philosophy is closely connected with the name of the Chinese sage Confucius, who lived in the 6th century BC. Many legends, parables and tales are associated with his name. The works of Confucius were aimed at harmonizing public and social relations in the state, ethical teachings, and moral education of citizens. The Moral Ideal that everyone should strive for is a certain Noble Man, which every Confucian should strive to become. He is philanthropic, tolerant, compassionate, indulgent. He has a sense of duty, filial piety, bows before state power.

“A noble husband thinks about duty, and a small person about profit”, “The Emperor is a father to his subjects, and subjects are respectful sons”, “Condescension is the word on which you can live your life” - these are the sayings of the great Chinese philosopher, included in history.

During the reign of the Han Dynasty (3rd century BC), Confucianism received the status of a national state religion, this teaching was considered as a moral and moral system for educating citizens. Honoring elders and respect for one's ancestors also play a special role in this teaching. Among them is the mythical character Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor, who is considered the forefather of all Chinese.

One should not think that today Confucianism is preached only in China. It has a huge impact all over the world. In such largest countries of the world as Great Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia, there are branches of the Institutes for the Study of the Works of Confucius.

First world religion

First World Religion - Buddhism, originated in the 6th century BC. in India, gradually penetrated into China, spread throughout the country and received a huge influence on the formation of the public worldview. At first, Buddhism was spread among the Chinese nobility, then other segments of the population began to be imbued with the ideas of the Buddha (the Enlightened One).

No wonder Buddhism became the first world religion, its teaching allows a person to improve himself, change for the better, achieve harmony with nature and the Cosmos. Buddhism preaches asceticism, i.e. rejection of earthly goods and pleasures.

The main postulate of Buddhism says that a person is unhappy because he cannot satisfy his desires, which means that in order to be happy, you need to learn not to desire. In Buddhism, such a phenomenon as meditation (falling into nirvana, a kind of unity with the natural world and the Cosmos), yoga, and breathing exercises have been developed. It was in this religion that the main law of human existence was formulated: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Among other things, it was the Buddha who preached the law of universal justice - the multiple rebirth and rebirth of the soul into any creature, depending on your lifetime actions and your moral attitude to the world.

Christianity and Islam

For the first time in Chinese history Christianity Nestorian persuasion appeared there in the 7th century. For a hundred and fifty years, Christianity enjoyed the support of the imperial family. But in 845, Emperor Wuzong banned Taoism, Buddhism, and Christianity, wanting only their own folk religions to flourish in China.

During the reign of the imperial Ming and Yuan dynasties, Islam, the youngest of the world religions, entered China.

What is the current religion in China?

At present, China is preaching a policy of tolerance for religious views. Representatives of almost all world confessions can be found on this blessed land. The main religions of China are Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, both directions of Christianity: Orthodoxy and Catholicism and Islam.

China declares itself a secular state, tolerant of all religions of the world. Each of the religions represented has its own temples, they have created local and national associations, they are not controlled by state bodies and follow a strict hierarchy.

During the period of the so-called Cultural Revolution, all religions were banned, and China preached only one religion - atheism. Although, along with atheism, one can consider the personality cult of Mao Tse Tung as the worship of the supreme deity.

After 1978, all previously revered temples, mosques and cathedrals were restored, all prohibitions on religious beliefs were lifted, and their activities were resumed.

China is one of the most interesting and distinctive states in the world. The basis for the formation of the philosophy of life and the original national culture of this country was the symbiosis of several religious trends. For thousands of years, the social structure of society, the spiritual development and moral character of the Chinese people were influenced by the ancient folk religion of China, Taoism and Confucianism, which arose on the territory of this country, as well as Buddhism borrowed from the Hindus. Later, in the 7th century AD, the list of religious denominations was supplemented by Islam and Christianity.

The history of the development and emergence of religious movements in China

The three main religious systems of China (Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism) are fundamentally different from the spiritual ideas of the peoples of Europe, India and the Middle East. In essence, they are philosophical teachings that guide a person on the path of self-knowledge and development, helping him find his place in society, find the meaning of life. Unlike other faiths, the religion of China does not concern the idea of ​​God the Creator and does not have such concepts as heaven and hell. Alien to the Chinese and the struggle for the purity of faith: different denominations coexist peacefully with each other. People can simultaneously practice both Taoism and Buddhism, in addition to everything, seek protection from spirits, participate in ancestor worship ceremonies and other ancient rituals.

Ancient folk religion of China

Before the emergence and spread among the population of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism, a polytheistic belief system reigned in China. The objects of worship for the ancient Chinese were their ancestors, spirits and mythical creatures, identified with natural phenomena, deities, heroes, dragons. Earth and Heaven were also manifestations of the divine principle. Moreover, Heaven dominated the Earth. It was identified with the highest justice: they worshiped it, offered up prayers, and expected help from it. Millennia later, the tradition of deifying heaven has not lost its relevance. This is confirmed by the Temple of Heaven, built in 1420 and operating to this day.

Taoism

The folk religion of China served as the basis for the emergence of Taoism, a philosophical and religious trend that emerged in the 6th century BC. The creator of the Taoist teachings is considered to be Lao Tzu, a legendary figure whose existence scientists question. The meaning of Taoism lies in the knowledge of the Tao (way), the achievement of well-being and health, the desire for immortality. The movement towards these wonderful goals is due to the observance of certain moral laws, as well as the use of special practices and disciplines: breathing exercises (qigong), martial arts (wushu), harmonious arrangement of the surrounding space (feng shui), sexual energy transformation techniques, astrology, herbal treatment. To date, about 30 million adherents of this concept live in China. For the followers of the teachings of Lao Tzu, as well as for everyone who is attracted to this religion of China, the doors of the temples are open. There are several Taoist schools and operating monasteries in the country.

Confucianism

Approximately at the same time as Taoism (6th century BC), another mass religion of China, Confucianism, was born. Its founder was the thinker and philosopher Confucius. He created his own ethical and philosophical doctrine, which after several centuries received the status of an official religion. Despite the appearance of a religious aspect, Confucianism retained its original essence - it remained a set of moral norms and rules aimed at harmonizing the relationship between the individual and society. The goal of a follower of this system is to aspire to become a noble husband who should be compassionate, follow a sense of duty, honor parents, observe ethics and rituals, strive for knowledge. For centuries, Confucianism has influenced the moral character and psychology of this people. It has not lost its significance even today: millions of modern Chinese strive to comply with the principles of the teaching, following duty and tirelessly improving themselves.

Buddhism

Along with the original Chinese trends (Taoism and Confucianism), Buddhism is one of the three most significant religions in this country. Originating in India in the 5th century BC, the Buddha's teaching reached China in the 1st century AD. A few centuries later, it took root and became widespread. The new religion of China, which promised liberation from suffering and endless rebirth, initially attracted mainly commoners. However, gradually she won the hearts and minds of people of various classes. Today, millions of Chinese adhere to this tradition and try to keep the precepts of Buddhism. The number of Buddhist temples and monasteries in China is in the thousands, and the number of people who have taken monasticism is about 180,000.

Religions in China today

The black streak for all religious denominations in China began in 1949 after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China. All religions were declared a relic of feudalism and banned. The era of atheism has begun in the country. In 1966-1976, the situation escalated to the limit - the PRC was shaken by the "cultural revolution". For ten years, ardent supporters of "change" destroyed temples and monasteries, religious and philosophical literature, and spiritual relics. Thousands of believers were killed or sent to penal camps. After the end of this terrible era in 1978, a new constitution of the PRC was adopted, which proclaimed the rights of citizens to freedom of religion. In the mid-80s of the last century, a mass restoration of temples began in the country, accompanied by the popularization of religion as an important part of national culture. The policy of returning to spiritual sources proved to be successful. Modern China is a multi-religious country in which traditional teachings (Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism), the ancient folk religion of China, relatively recently arrived Islam and Christianity, as well as the beliefs of national minorities (the religions of Moz and Dunba) peacefully coexist, harmoniously complementing each other. , White Stone religion).

Features of the religion of ancient China.

The religion of ancient China never succumbed to strict centralization by the state. A rigidly centralized church as such has never existed in China.
The population of Ancient China believed not in one, but in as many as three main philosophical schools, prevailing in one or another territory to varying degrees. Both the upper class and the poorest peasants believed in them.

Three Philosophical Schools of Ancient China

- Confucianism;
- Taoism;
- Buddhism;
And now it is necessary to analyze each of the philosophical schools in more detail.

Confucianism

Confucianism is a philosophical doctrine and ethical instruction compiled by the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius, and then developed by his students and followers. The founding of Confucianism should be attributed to the end of the sixth century. From China, this philosophical doctrine spread to the territory of Japan and Korea.
First of all, Confucianism is a way of life and ethical instruction, and only then a philosophical school, some consider this teaching to be a real religion.
During imperial China, Confucianism was considered the dominant religion. It laid down the principles of the organization of the state, as well as the entire Chinese society. People lived like this for two thousand years. If officially this philosophical doctrine was never a religion, then formally it so penetrated the consciousness of the whole people that it influenced the behavior of people, so that it successfully fulfilled all the tasks of the official religion.
In the center of the teaching, the problems of imperial power and subjects are revealed, their relations and behavior are prescribed here, in addition, the moral qualities that must be followed, both by the emperor and the ordinary peasant, are described.

Taoism

Taoism is a Chinese doctrine, which includes both elements of religion and elements of philosophy. Historians believe that the foundation of Taoism, even more likely, the origin of the foundations began in the third century BC. e., however, this philosophical doctrine was fully formed only in the second century already of our era, because it was at this time that the first philosophical school arose.
Interestingly, Taoism began to exist by studying and, in a sense, reshaping and refining the teachings of Buddhism. Many features of Buddhism can be traced back to Taoism, sometimes with minor modifications.
Taoism has never been the official religion of China. Such a teaching was followed mainly by hermits and recluses, sometimes it was followed by a movement of the masses. It was Taoism that pushed the masses to rebellions, it was thanks to Taoism that new ideas were born among scientists, they drew their inspiration and strength from it.
At the center of Taoism is the so-called Tao - the law of being and the entire cosmos. As this teaching says, the Tao is to be everywhere at once. It is this Tao that gave rise to everything that now exists. Tao itself was not created by anyone, it arose on its own, it can neither be seen nor heard, it has no form.
In order for a person to become happy, he must understand the Tao and merge with it as one whole. The main task of a person who believes in Taoism is to do everything in life that will help his soul to merge with the macrocosm (the Universe) after death. To know what to do for this, it is necessary to know the teachings of the Tao.
Ideally, every person who believes in Taoism should become a hermit. Only in this way can he achieve a high spiritual state, which will then help him merge with the Tao.
Taoism has always been an opponent or rather opposition to Confucianism, because he preached service to the emperor, and indeed to the whole society. The missionaries of these two philosophical schools very often denied the existence of one of these schools.

Buddhism

Buddhism is a philosophical and religious doctrine that spoke of spiritual awakening. This doctrine arose in the sixth century BC, and its founder is a famous philosopher named Siddhartha Gautama or the Buddha. The doctrine arises on the territory of India, and only then begins to penetrate into the territory of Ancient China.
The doctrine began to penetrate China only in the first century of our era.
As with Taoism, there is a situation where everyone calls Buddhism differently. Someone thinks that it is a religion, others think that it is a philosophical school, a cultural tradition, or an ethical teaching.
Buddhism can rightly be considered one of the most ancient world religions. Not only China and India, but the entire East is completely saturated with this teaching.
The Buddha said that the cause of human suffering is the person himself. Believing in life, becoming attached to life, believing in an unchanging soul, a person creates an illusion. The main goal of a follower of the teachings of the Buddha is to achieve nirvana, as a result of which awakening begins, after which one can look at the world for real. To achieve this, you need to limit yourself in many ways, do good deeds, and also constantly meditate.
Meditation in Buddhism occupies a special place, as it is a means of self-improvement (spiritual and physical).
As we can see in the above, the religion of ancient China has never been a centralized church, as we can see in Christianity. This is a combination of three dominant philosophical and religious schools that differ from each other. In different parts of China, people believed in the existence of one of these three schools, and often disproved the existence of all the others.

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