Chinese Philosophies

Buddhism

Origins and Founder(s)

• Began in India
• Siddhartha Gautama was the founder
• Began to question the meaning of life
• The cause of suffering is desire
• Desire became the basis for Buddhism

Principles and Diffusion

• Taught the concept of reincarnation
• Does not believe in a deity
• The core is based on the 4 Noble Truths
• The core is also based on the eightfold path
• Spread to Southeast Asia, and East Asia

Confucianism

Origins and Founder(s)

• Started in China during Zhou Dynasty
• Kung Fu-Tzu was the founder
• Wanted to return to the moral standards of life

Principles

• The primary goals are order, harmony, peace and to be happy
• Has five social relationships
• Thought man was capable of achieving happiness through education

Diffusion

• Spread by followers of Confucius
• The principles of Confucius founded Chinese education
• Spread to Korea and Japan
• Formed the civil service exam

Taoism

Origins and Founder(s)

• Grew from ancient Chinese philosophies
• Came from Buddhism and Confucianism
• Founded by Lao-Tse

Principles

• Tao (Dao) means " the way"
• Focuses on achieving balance and harmony
• Believes in the idea of "effortless doing"
• The symbol most associated with Taoism is the Ying/Yang
• Believes in the three jems,compassion, moderation, and humility

Diffusion

• Spread to areas surrounding china
• Being taught with Buddhism and Shintoism