Chinese religion and philosophy

China developed separately from the west. There are three main strands in Chinese religion (below) which originated in a comparable period to the three key strands of western ideas (The Old Testament, Greek Philosophy and Christianity). Confucianism concentrates on man's relationship to man, Taoism on man's relationship to nature, Buddhism on man's relationship to paradise.

Confucianism. Confucius (K'ung-fu-tzu) lived from 551 to 479 BC. He thought education could revolutionise the world. His ideas are embodied in five books, which outline a way of life founded on respect and leading to peace and harmony. He wished to model society on the structure of the good family. Though he believed in a supreme Being but was opposed to superstition and to such practices as human sacrifice.

Taoism. The Tao is 'the inexpressible source of being'. 'Lao Tzu', meaning Old Master, is the author of a famous book, now thought to be the work of several writers who lifed perhaps 150 years after Confucius. The work is epigrammatic and fostered a mystical strand in Chinese religion. The famous opening lines include: 'The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao'; 'Existence is the mother of all things'; 'From eternal existence we clearly see the apparent distinctions'. They suggest a divine Principle which underlies the natural world. The wise man seeks harmony with the Tao - by living in accord with nature.

Buddhism. These ideas reached China, from India, around 65 AD and became a faith of merchants and traders. It presented the contemplative life as an ideal. People were given hope that by living a good life on earth they could achieve nirvana and be reborn in paradise. Buddhism is agnostic as to whether there is a supreme creator but it never rejected the gods and spirits of popular religion. There is a strong monastic strand to Buddhism.

Periods

• Early Period. From pre-history to the sixth century BC. Bronze Age vessels, decorated with animals and dragons, reveal evidence of traditional ancestor-worship. This laid the ground for Confucianism.
• Classical Period. From Confucius (551-479 BC) to the advent of Buddhism.
• Post-Buddhist period. From the first century A.D. to the Neo-Confucian revival.
• Late period. From the start of the Sung Dynasty (960 AD) until the impact of the west in the nineteenth century.
• Modern Period. Since the abdication of the last Manchu Emperor in 1911.