What was the attitude towards the ancestors? The religion of China is a symbiosis of all faiths under one sky
The history, culture, religion and traditions of the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire for centuries aroused genuine interest in the citizens of European countries, because the original and rich culture of this eastern state was so different from the traditions and rules accepted in Western society. The originality and difference between the civilization and worldview of the Chinese from the worldview of the Europeans is especially clearly visible in the comparison of the beliefs of the ancient Chinese and the religions of the tribes whose descendants now inhabit the European part of Eurasia - the Scandinavians, Romans, Chimerians, Scythians, etc. Religion ancient China- this is, first of all, philosophy, search life path, the absence of complex cults and strict rules and focus on.
Chinese civilization has a history of thousands of years, in which decline was replaced by prosperity more than once. Beautiful nature, which seems to be created in order to contemplate its beauty, the class division of society, the tradition of respect for elders, bloody wars, the struggle of dynasties, great discoveries, the development of trade, the need for hard daily work - all of these, at first glance, do not unrelated factors influenced the formation and development of the philosophy and religion of ancient China.
Religion of the ancient Chinese in the period before the second millennium BC
The ancient Chinese, who lived more than 4 thousand years ago, had beliefs somewhat similar to the beliefs of other ancient tribes. The first beliefs of the Chinese, of which later, were based on totemism, and almost all Chinese tribes had their own totem. The deification of dragons in Chinese mythology and beliefs in the power and protection of these mythical animals, which the Chinese have preserved to this day, take their roots precisely from those ancient times when many Chinese tribes considered the snake to be their totem. Over time, the patron serpent in the minds of the people transformed into a flying serpent - a dragon. The popular one has a similar origin. Chinese legend about the magical fenghuang bird - the transformed totem of the swallow. The dragon and fenghuang in the religion of the ancient Chinese were something like supreme deities: the dragon identified the earth and the masculine principle, and fenghuang the sky and the feminine principle.
According to the Chinese belief, everything around is chaos, in which there are particles of living energy Tsy. There are two types of QY - YIN and YANG, YIN are dark, viscous and heavy particles, they are also the feminine principle and the embodiment of earth and water, and YANG are light and light particles that identify light, sky and the masculine principle. The ancient Chinese considered Heaven to be the progenitor of all life on Earth, but in their opinion, praying to Heaven was pointless - it is indifferent to human affairs. The Chinese also believed that the harmony of YIN and YANG is necessary for human life, and all misfortunes, cataclysms, etc. are consequences of the disharmony of these fundamental energies.
Pantheon of gods of the ancient Chinese
The religion of the ancient Chinese is characterized by such a phenomenon as euhemerization (humanization) of deities. Now no one can say for sure whether the Chinese deities had real prototypes - emperors, warriors, dignitaries and rulers, or whether the belief that gods once lived on earth appeared among the Chinese after they believed in deities . The most famous and revered deities in the religion of the ancient Chinese were:
- Guandi - god of war and wealth, patron of officials;
Zhu Shou - deity of autumn and metals;
Leigong - god of thunder;
Pangu is the first person born as a result of the interaction of the supreme forces of the universe, yin and yang;
Fusi - ruler of heaven;
Nuiva is the ruler of the earth;
Shennong - god of agriculture;
Yudi is the god-emperor of the Universe.
The ancient Chinese built temples to these gods and prayed for protection, but unlike the ancestors of the Europeans, the ancient Chinese were not characterized by fanaticism in faith - there is no evidence in history that the Chinese made sacrifices to their deities or had any complex cults of worship. Since the religion of the ancient Chinese was based on philosophy, the gods in their view were something like helpers, patrons who, like people, obey the laws of the universe.
Three religions of ancient China
In the second millennium BC, the formation of religious and philosophical movements began, and before the beginning of our era, the ancient Chinese had: Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. These three religions have a lot in common - the absence of a deity who requires worship, a philosophical assessment of the world, and most importantly - a focus on self-development and self-improvement of a person.
The second religion of ancient China, which formed around the third century BC and is widespread to this day, is Taoism - religious and philosophical doctrine about the spiritual path of man. The founder of Taoism is considered to be Lao Tzu, who formed the doctrine of Tao - the beginning of all living things and the great path that every person must go through in order to merge with the Universe and become a part of Tao. According to the doctrine, this goal can be achieved without doing evil, adhering to strict moral standards and moderation in one’s own desires and regular meditation.
The last belief included in the triad of religions of ancient China is the teaching of Kung Fu Tzu - Confucianism . Adherents of this religion, which originated in the fifth century BC, believe that the purpose of every person's life is to do good for other people; humanism, philanthropy, justice, respect for elders - these are the traits that everyone who calls themselves a follower of Confucius should have. Probably, Confucius, when drawing up the dogmas of his teaching, relied on the ancient traditions and faith of his ancestors, because the religious and philosophical movement he founded has some features of the cult of ancestors, the cult of the earth and the veneration of Heaven as the creator of all life on earth.
China is a unique country with rich history and an interesting culture. One of the main components of spiritual culture is religious views formed as a result of national distinctive traditions and customs.
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 Shenism(belief in the souls of ancestors). It was formed from myths, traditions and legends, as well as from national worship of even the most distant ancestors.
Shens are major and minor deities, mythical creatures, spirits, epic heroes and the most revered people of each kind.
The ancient religion of China believes that the whole world is full of spirits that influence all processes occurring in nature and society.
Firstly, these are the moon, stars, planets, rivers and seas, trees, flowers and stones. According to the beliefs of Shenism, absolutely everything in nature has its own eternal and immortal soul, which does not die along with the physical body.
Secondly, these are spirits who patronize individual cities, settlements and regions and are responsible for their prosperity and well-being.
Thirdly, spirits who patronize crafts and economic activity humans, as well as patron spirits hearth and home, 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 you can find in a place of special honor something like a home altar, on which there are wooden or metal figurines - idols, personifying the spirits of the house and clan. On holidays, they are decorated with flowers and incense sticks are lit near them.
The veneration of ancestral spirits is an integral part of Chinese national culture, and is also reflected in the foundations of many Chinese folk religions. Places of worship for household spirits are graves, burial mounds, household tombs, or ancestral temples.
In addition to Chinese folk religion, all Chinese national minorities also have their own religious views. One such religion is the Moz belief. It mixed elements of animism, shamanism, polytheism, as well as ancient mythological ideas about the world.
Before the advent of Buddhism, the Bon movement arose in some areas of China, the founder of which was the mythical figure 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 of 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.”
Tao - Eternal Path
Other ancient religion China – this is Taoism. Tao - the eternal path, along which everyone living on earth moves. The main goal of those who profess this religion is to cognize the Tao - Something Unknown, Cosmic, Universal. Merge with it in harmony and follow the path of grace and virtue. The philosophy of Feng Shui, which is gaining increasing popularity these days, originated in Taoism. This also includes some martial arts (we must remember 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 and astrologers professing the religion of Tao.
Teachings of Confucius
The national religion enjoys special reverence and respect in China Confucianism.
This philosophy is closely related to 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 social and social relations in the state ethical teachings, moral education of citizens. The moral ideal to which everyone should strive is a certain Noble husband, which every Confucian should try to become. He is humane, tolerant, compassionate, and forgiving. He has a sense of duty, filial piety, and bows to state power.
“A noble man thinks about duty, and a petty man thinks about profit”, “The emperor is a father to his subjects, and his subjects are respectful sons”, “Forbearance is the word based on which you can live your life” - these are the sayings of the great Chinese philosopher that went down in history.
During the Han Dynasty (3rd century BC), Confucianism received national status state religion, this teaching was considered as a moral system for educating citizens. In this teaching, reverence for elders and respect for one’s ancestors also plays a special role. These include 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 influence all over the world. In such major 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, originating in the 6th century BC. in India, gradually penetrated into China, spread throughout the country and gained enormous 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 Buddha (the Enlightened One).
It is not for nothing that Buddhism became the first world religion; its teaching allows a person to improve himself and change in better side, achieve harmony with nature and the Cosmos. Buddhism preaches asceticism, i.e. renunciation of earthly goods and pleasures.
The main tenet of Buddhism says that a person is unhappy because he cannot satisfy his desires, which means that in order to be happy, one must learn not to desire. In Buddhism, the phenomenon of meditation (falling into nirvana - a kind of unity with the natural world and the Cosmos), yoga, and breathing exercises has developed. It was in this religion that the main law was formulated human existence: Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Among other things, it was Buddha who preached the law of universal justice - the repeated rebirth and rebirth of the soul into any being, depending on your lifetime actions and your moral attitude towards the world.
Christianity and Islam
For the first time in Chinese history Christianity the Nestorian sense appeared there in the 7th century. For one and a half hundred years, Christianity enjoyed the support of the imperial family. But in 845, Emperor Wuzong banned Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity, wanting only his own folk religions to flourish in China.
During the reign of the Ming and Yuan imperial dynasties, Islam, the youngest of the world's religions, entered China.
What is the religion in China now?
China is currently preaching a policy of tolerance religious views. Representatives of almost all world faiths 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 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 government agencies and observe a strict hierarchy.
During the so-called Cultural Revolution, all religions were banned, and China preached only one religion - atheism. Although, along with atheism, the personality cult of Mao Zedong can be considered as 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.
Religion of ancient China
The religion of China has never been similar to any of the spiritual belief systems that prevailed in Europe and the Middle East. Distinctive thinking, the structure of society and even nature have led to the emergence of completely unique forms of belief.
The first mentions related to the ancient Chinese religion date back to the 3rd millennium BC. and represent fortune telling and ancestor worship. Since those distant times, China has gone through several stages of development of religious views, which gave rise to Taoism and Confucianism, which are known to everyone today.
The Roots of Ancient Chinese Beliefs
Recent archaeological excavations carried out near Beijing led to the discovery of a cave with burials. The bodies were laid out in a special way towards the upper section of the cave. Scientists concluded from this that already 100-50,000 years ago the Chinese had ideas about the afterlife.
The first primitive religion of China was once based on the way of agricultural life, which contributed to the emergence of religious cults dedicated to natural phenomena and forces. The sky occupied a higher status compared to the earth and included rain and thunder, wind, rivers, mountains and other natural phenomena that were associated with agriculture. This is confirmed by the numerous vessels found by archaeologists, decorated with heavenly symbols. Gradually, phenomena related to heaven became linked to divinity. This fact was noted in ancient manuscripts. The exploits of mythical folk heroes were associated with victory over natural phenomena, which led to the emergence of a prayer cult with a request for protection through an appeal to the ancestors.
Mantika was also widespread, which was a type of fortune telling using a tortoiseshell. The answer from the deity was received through a plate of shell thrown into the fire. The priest studied it after burning and interpreted the cracks that appeared on it.
Ancestor cult is the foundation for the development of classical Chinese beliefs
The cult of ancestors is one of the most famous religious phenomena in the world, but it was in ancient China that it acquired the highest significance, influenced the formation of Chinese ethics and became fundamental to Confucianism. Heaven has always been indifferent to any person. To prove his respect, a person was obliged to put it in the form of impeccable submission to the will of the emperor, who was considered the Son of Heaven and represented him among people. This belief developed into a cult of deified ancestors and became revered by all classes in society. People who were related to the imperial family were respected, since in a way they were in contact with Heaven.
This religion of ancient China reached its peak during the reign of the Shang Dynasty (1384-1111 BC). The excessive superstitiousness of the Chinese forced them to seek advice from their ancestors on any issue that concerned human life (wars, illnesses, funerals). All rituals were carefully controlled, and some were performed by the emperor himself.
Temple for ancestors
The cult is reflected in the belief in the duality of the human soul, which consists of material and spiritual parts. The material soul dies with the body and is buried. Caring for her implied the need to bury devoted servants and part of the accumulated wealth with her. The spiritual soul went to heaven to take a place there in accordance with its earthly status. To support this belief, the Chinese began to build temples where they kept the nameplates of the ancestors of the aristocracy. Such honor allowed noble families to maintain their influence in society and command people of more humble pedigree and common people.
Taoism - the pursuit of perfection
Sculpture of Lao Tzu "Tao Te Ching"
Ethics and the place of man in society led to the birth of Taoism in the 6th century BC. The founder of this religious movement is considered to be Lao Tzu, whose existence has not yet been proven by historians. This religion of China He considers Lao Tzu's treatise "Tao Te Ching" to be his basic written source. The beliefs are based on worship of the supernatural, and the path of self-improvement will ultimately lead to immortality.
The essence of the life of a follower is to follow the natural path along which all things in the world exist and to which they all submit. This path lies above the level of touch and the ability to comprehend it, but it is this path that gives meaning to all the things that surround a person. Relationships between people and people's attitude towards the world are regulated by moral law. A person is endowed vital energy, which encourages us to follow the path of Tao.
Thus, the meaning of a person’s life should be the desire to join the Tao through meditation and renunciation material assets. Immortality is the ultimate goal in Tao, which has neither beginning nor end.
Fans of this religion refused food, first reducing the amount of food they consumed and learning to saturate themselves with their own saliva. At this stage of the path, the follower began physical exercises similar to yoga in order to learn to breathe in a new way, that is, to make the process controlled by consciousness and be able to stop and start breathing when needed. The path to immortality also required spiritual purification through good deeds. The requirements had to be fulfilled strictly, and one mistake could undo a person’s achievements.
The aristocracy of China appreciated Taoism and made it the dominant religion during the Middle Ages. This religion of China got along well with Confucianism. Fans of Taoism were not only deeply spiritual people, but also managed to accomplish many scientific discoveries(including the elixir of immortality) and created the teachings of Feng Shui, the basics of qigong (breathing exercises) and wushu (martial art).
Mount Tai (Shandong Province)
Today in China there are 1,500 temples and monasteries dedicated to Taoism, and more than 25,000 followers of the movement live. Among the most famous natural landmarks associated with Taoism are Mount Tai (Shandong Province) with its famous Jade Emperor Peak and the Yellow Mountains of Huangshan (Anhui Province). The Temple of the Guardian Goddess of the City in Shanghai is also a popular place that preaches the Tao.
Confucianism - Return to Origins
Confucianism has become ancient tradition, which has permeated the consciousness of the Chinese nation and successfully continues to exist today. Confucius was real historical figure, who lived in 551-479 BC. Times were very difficult for China at that time, the country was falling apart, and the board could not understand what needed to be done to save the situation. Confucius came to the rescue with his ethical and social doctrine, which gained the greatest number of fans and turned these views into a new religion.
The principles of Confucianism are set out in two canons (the Pentateuch and the Four Books). The first part consists of a book of fortune telling and magical sayings, a mythological history of China and a short history of the country in the period from the 8th to the 5th centuries BC, a volume of ancient songs on the theme of religion and based on classical poetry, and a book describing the obligatory rites of a supporter of the doctrine. The second part includes a description of basic teachings, a book wise sayings, a treatise on the golden mean and an exposition of the teachings of Confucius by one of his favorite students.
Humanity (all positive qualities human beings shown towards another human being) and duty (the obligation that a humane person imposes on himself) were proclaimed as basic principles. In fact, this manifested itself in the form of deep respect for parents, loyalty to the emperor, and loyalty to one's marriage partner.
The main difference between Confucianism and other religions was the strengthening of established traditions instead of creating new system values. Ritual and thoroughness in everything became strict requirements for salvation, but a person did not have to give up his usual way of life and sacrifice family and friends.
In the 2nd century BC. Confucianism reached its greatest flourishing, becoming official religion China. The religion lost its national status in 1911 when communism came to power.
Chinese Buddhism - a new era of spiritual discovery
Buddhism appeared in China in the 1st century BC, and in the 4th century AD. gained a lot strong influence and enveloped the whole country. Buddhism was quickly adapted to Chinese society and divided into three movements: Chinese, Tibetan (Lamaism) and Pali.
His appearance marked some difficulties for adherents new faith. Religion of ancient China Before that, I did not imagine the existence of monasticism. This led to Buddhists initially being seen as violators of the most basic cultural and moral norms. Becoming a monk, a person was obliged to change his name and take a vow of celibacy, which was considered the deepest disrespect for his ancestors. In India, it was considered normal to live dependent on alms. In China, this was perceived as disrespectful and lazy. The most difficult obstacle to the spread of Buddhism was the power of the emperor, who was equated with a deity and demanded complete submission even from monks.
But thanks to new ideas and new spiritual experience, Buddhism managed to gain popularity. His teachings were completely new to the Chinese, who did not know the concept of equality and karma. The country has established a religious system consisting of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.
There are now about 200,000 monks living in China and more than 13,000 monasteries. Among the most famous Buddhist monuments in China are the Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai, the Yonghe Temple in Beijing and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an.
Penetration of Islam and Christianity
Dongguan Mosque in Xining (Gansu Province)
In the 7th century AD. Islam found its way to China through Arab and Persian Muslim merchants who came there to trade. Settlement of visitors and appearance Muslim families began to lead to the spread of Islamic ideas in the north-west of the country. The emperor approved the spread of Islam, but refused to accept it himself due to the complexity of the prayer ritual and fasting. But the Chinese themselves reacted favorably to the new religion, giving it the opportunity to take root.
On at the moment There are 18 million Muslims living in the country. Among the popular Muslim attractions are Great Mosque in Xi'an, Dongguan Mosque in Xining (Gansu Province) and Idgar Mosque in Kashgar (Xinjiang Uyghur Region).
Cathedral of St. Ignatius, and in the city of Harbin
Catholicism and other forms of Christianity filled the country on a large scale quite late (19th century). Today, about 7% of the state's population professes some form of Christianity. In Shanghai you can find the famous Cathedral of St. Ignatius, and in Orthodox Church Saint Sophia.
There is no one dominant religious movement in the country. China brings together many people who live together religious denominations. Every resident has freedom of religion guaranteed by law. Since 1976, full work and functioning of all temples and mosques have been resumed in China.
