Part Eight VIII › Division II II › Section 825 825

Indigenous Religions of East Asia: Religions of China, Korea, and Japan

Subject Outline

ACharacteristics and development of Chinese religion
- 1The distinction and relationship between the folk religions and the literate religions in China
- 2History of religion in China
  - aThe emergence of Chinese religion: ancestor worship, early cosmological beliefs
  - bThe formulation of the Great Tradition: the development of the Confucian and Taoist ways (6th-- 1st century bc)
  - cThe dominance of the Buddhist Way and the rise of Taoist-inspired cults (1st- 16th century)
  - dThe modern period: the effects of Western religions and of nationalism and secularism on familial and social systems
- 3Traditional concepts in Chinese religious thought: the relation of the individual to the cosmos and to society
- 4Ritual practices and institutions
- 5Chinese religious symbolism
- 6Chinese mythology
BConfucianism
- 1History of Confucianism
  - aBackground in the institutions of the predynastic sage-emperors and the founders of the first three dynasties
  - bOrigin in the life and teachings of Confucius (551-479 bc), the first Sage
  - cThe Confucian school and its various forms: the teachings of Mencius, the second Sage, and of Hsiin-tzu (c. 5th-3rd century bc)
  - dEstablishment of Confucianism as the state orthodoxy of the Han Empire: eclectic tendencies, skeptical and rationalistic reactions (2nd century BC-3rd century ad)
  - eIntroduction of Confucianism into Korea and Japan (1st and 4th centuries ad) [see D. and E., below]
  - fConfucianism during the time of Buddhist ascendancy: its continued role in the family system, the government bureaucracy, and the examination system; textual studies
  - gThe emergence and development of Neo-Confucianism (11th-20th century): metaphysical and humanistic emphases, the teaching of Chu Hsi, the development of Neo-Confucian schools
  - hVaried responses to intellectual and material challenges of the West and to other developments: reformist and conservative movements, the effect of political developments on Confucian ideology and scholarship
    - iConfucianism today: its current demographic and social aspects
- 2Confucian literature
- 3Confucianism as a religion and as a philosophy
CTaoism
- 1History of Taoism
  - aOrigin and early developments: the first evidence of the teachings of Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu (c. 4th-3rd century bc)
  - bDevelopments during the Ch'in and Han periods (3rd century Bc-3rd century ad): esoteric traditions, the Huang-Lao tradition, revolutionary messianism, developments in philosophy
  - cDevelopments from the 2nd to the 6th century: brief recognition of Taoism as the state religion; interaction with Buddhism; ceremonial, alchemical, and scriptural traditions
  - dDevelopments under the T'ang, Sung, and later dynasties: internal developments, the role of alchemy, syncretistic tendencies
  - eThe later development of philosophical and religious Taoism from the 14th century to the present time
- 2Taoist literature
- 3Taoism as a religion and as a philosophy
DThe religions of Korea
- 1History of Korean religion from prehistoric times to the present: the influence of Chinese, Japanese, and Western religions
- 2Religious literature and mythology
- 3Beliefs and doctrines
- 4Practices and institutions
EThe religions of Japan
- 1History of Japanese religion
  - aEarly clan religion before the 6th century ad
  - bEarly historic and medieval periods (6th-16th century): the introduction of Buddhism, the impact of Chinese influences on Shinto, other developments
  - cThe Tokugawa era (1603-1867): Neo-Confucian Shinto, Sect Shinto, other developments
  - dThe Meiji era and after (1868 to the present): new religious movements
- 2Shinto: the Way of the Gods
  - aHistory of Shinto [see E.1., above]
  - bCharacteristics of primitive Shinto: the role of guardian shrines and shamans
  - cShinto literature and mythology: the form and content of the Kojiki, Nihon shoki, and other writings
  - dBasic beliefs and doctrines: concepts of mankind, the sacred and related precepts and principles
  - eRitual practices and institutions
- 3Japanese religious art and symbolism