Religion of Ancient China - wisdom that does not lose its relevance at all times

If we rely on the surviving sources,the religion of Ancient China began to emerge as far back as the 3rd century BC. e. The very first religious ideas were manifested in the form of the cult of ancestors and divinatory rites. Unlike the beliefs of other countries, the Eastern one is based on the worship of real personalities, most often emperors.

The ancient inhabitants of the Celestial Empire believed that Heaven -this is the only supreme deity, and the rulers of the country are the Sons of Heaven. Deeply believing people were afraid to fall into disfavour of "higher intelligence", and therefore showed deep respect and unquestioning obedience to the emperor. They also respectfully treated the relatives of the ruler, thus striving to approach the sky somehow.

Philosophy of Ancient China (Confucianism, Taoism)is also his religion. For several centuries, the confession data was officially recognized as state. Such, very unique, development of philosophy is due, first of all, to the isolation of China from other countries, that is, the absence of influence from outside.

The development of philosophy can be divided into two stages: the period of origin that began in the 8th century BC. e., and the heyday of the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. Simultaneously with the formation of a highly spiritual thought, the development of the whole civilization took place. The opposition of various ideas in some way reflected the struggle between the progressive forces and the reactions of society associated with the desire to preserve the traditions of the past. As a result of the struggle of antagonistic views, two main directions of the spiritual sphere were formed: idealistic and materialistic.

Confucianism

This philosophy and religion of Ancient China wasBased on the teachings of Confucius - a sage who lived in the 6th-5th century BC. The thinker considered the main vital aspects of the sense of duty and humanity, implying modesty, restraint, justice, love of people, unselfishness, determination and moral obligations inherent in every "perfect person" under these concepts. The incarnation of that "perfect man" the teacher saw in the famous emperors - Shun, Yao and Yue.

From the 2nd century BC. e. Confucianism is the official religion of Ancient China. And for the next few centuries, philosophy was the basis of the public interest of the heavenly empire. The future representatives of the authorities were compulsorily educated, built on the teachings of the ancient sage.

Status of the main religion Confucianismpreserved to this day. The relevance and influence of this philosophy confirms the fact that even the leaders of the Communist Chinese state have repeatedly appealed to the social and moral norms elaborated many centuries ago.

Taoism

This is another religion of Ancient China, in importance not inferior to Confucianism. Its founder was a thinker Lao Tzu - a contemporary of Confucius.

The philosophy of Taoism is also very deep andinteresting. The basis of the ancient teaching is the concept of "Tao" - the path that is followed by everything in the world, including the world itself. This is the meaning and spiritual basis of everything, unattainable for sense organs and human thinking. The reflection of Tao is De - a more understandable phenomenon, which embodies the moral law, which speaks about the rules and norms of human relationships. The complex religion of Ancient China includes the third concept - the Qi is the vital energy that fills a person, giving him the strength to follow the Tao, observing all the rules of the Da.

The doctrine of the attainment of a blessed state byFollowing the highly moral law of nature found recognition in the ranks of the state aristocracy. Thanks to this, Taoism remained influential throughout the Medieval period, harmoniously coexisting with Confucianism. Today, the true religion of Ancient China is very popular not only in the heavenly empire, but also beyond its borders.