Religion since time immemorial has been the essence of man’s existence. It has been a guide for people in knowing the meaning of their lives. To some cultures, religion plays a vital role in their everyday living and decision making. To some, religion is the only way to discover the secrets of this world and the world beyond. One of the world’s oldest cultures is found in China. The Chinese culture has greatly impacted the cultures of its neighboring countries. Presently China has the largest population with over one billion people.
The Chinese people did not stay in China alone. Some of them migrated to other parts of the world and brought with them their customs and practices. Today, The People’s Republic of China is officially an Atheist state. However, long before the Cultural Revolution in 1966 wherein the government destroyed and abolished religions in the country, several philosophies flourished and gained recognition throughout China. Notable among these are Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Confucianism is a school of thought that deals mostly about ethical, social and political teachings.
It was started by Confucius in the 5th Century BCE during the Han Dynasty. The main thrust of Confucianism is their belief in humanity. To the followers of Confucianism, people can be taught, improved and their lives perfected through their own and other people’s help. It is greatly believed that people have the capacity within themselves to make their current state of being better. The Taoism philosophy emerged almost at the same time as Confucianism. Its beginning was highly attributed to Lao Tzu and his written work Tao Te Ching. Taoists considers Lao Tzu as their Supreme Deity.
The Essay on Culture, Religion, Experiences… How Do They Make You “You” ?
How Elie viewed his culture and religion was affected by his experiences in the holocaust he was only a victim in the concentration camp. Before he was very naive, along with the rest of the people in the little town he lived in. For example when Moishe the Beetle from Night was warning everybody about how the germens are going to kill all the Jew’s, they all thought he was crazy. “Even I did not ...
Taoist teachings revolve around health, longevity, immortality, non-action, spontaneity, nature and ancestral spirits. Buddhism, another religion widely practiced in China originated in India and reached China in the 1st century BCE. Though it was considered a foreign religion, many were influenced and became followers. The teachings of Siddhartha Gautama or simply known as Buddha is the basis of Buddhism. Buddhists believe in reincarnation. It is said that a person goes through several cycles of reincarnation before achieving the enlightened state or state of Nirvana.
As a person goes through each cycle, he is transformed and is not the same person as he was before. The Middle Way is a teaching of the Buddha wherein it will lead its followers to their purpose in life. These three main schools of thought or religions in China once started as different or separate philosophies have influenced the culture of China as a whole. The influences have been deeply embedded in the everyday way of Chinese life. Their inter-connection can be traced from way back. Both Confucianism and Taoism share certain religious and philosophical views.
Buddhism and Taoism on the other hand also share common beliefs and practices. This sharing of common beliefs and practices is clearly happened between these three great religions as all embraced a humanist philosophy stressing the importance of moral behavior and human perfection. Master You of the Wudang Temple Monks, in his interview with the National Geographic Team for its series entitled “The Kung Fu Dragons of Wudang” said it succinctly when he said that when choosing apprentices, they should always make sure that these apprentices must always exemplify good behavior, high moral and spiritual conduct.
These traits must not only be seen during their stay in the temple but should be a way of life for them otherwise it might not lead them to the path that would lead them to enlightenment. The Taoist temple located on Wudang Mountain in Hubei Province of Central China is considered as the holiest of all Taoist temples. It was here that Yin Xi decided to live in seclusion to find his path in accordance with the Tao Te Ching given to him by Lao Tzu.
The Essay on Sumerian Art Kleiner Temple City
What was once the flat lower valley of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers was transformed by the Sumerians into the Fertile Crescent of the ancient world. (Kleiner 18) The Sumerian art was one of great power and originality, and influenced all of the cultures of western Asia. (Infoplease 1) Sumerian art was primarily made of clay, because it was their most abundant material. It's responsible for ...
The Wudang Mountain also houses a school where children are taught the Wudang style of Kung Fu. The teaching of martial arts is not exclusive to the Taoist of Wudang Mountain. The Shaolin Buddhists also practices this art. Learning martial art together with religion is not something foreign to the Chinese. Martial Arts is the act of defending oneself from an adversary, which could be traced back to the time when humans were constantly attacked by animals and later on by other humans too.
But to the Chinese people, martial arts is not violent but defensive in nature. Unlike other sports wherein strength is the key, in martial arts brute strength is countered by lesser strength. The disciples of Wudang Temple believes that practicing martial arts would give them good health, longevity and immortality. One apprentice, Dutiful Dragon was enrolled at Wudang Mountain Temple to learn Kung Fu because when he was small, he was sickly and weak, now thanks to his constant practice of Kung Fu, he is much stronger and healthier.
Another testimony attributed to the health benefits of performing martial arts specifically the Tai Chi, is the temple’s Madame Li. At the time of the filming of the series by the National Geographic, Madame Li was already 103 years old and can still do 3 hours of Tai Chi exercises every day. One master on the other hand, practices Wudang Kung Fu because he would like to attain immortality and become one of the gods of Taoism. Though this thought seem farfetched, to some Taoist practitioners this is the embodiment of their trainings.
The religious and philosophical points of view of the Wudang Taoist monks and nuns can be seen through the execution of each Wudang Martial Art as executed by its masters and apprentices. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to bring forth the culmination of all the things that one need to learn to fulfill his purpose of attaining enlightenment, and these religions – Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism seems to have made its mark on its followers.
