Chinese religion and philosophy

China developed separately from the west. There are three main strands in Chinese beliefs (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/Daoism 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/Daoism. The Tao/Dao 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.