Religions

Taoism

Taoism (aka Daoism) is the only major religion that developed from Chinese roots and grew to fruition in China itself. Originating at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 – 220 AD) and originally based on a reinterpretation and development of an ancient tradition of nature worship.

Taoists regard Lao Zi as the founder of classical Taoism. He is the anonymous editor of Dao De Jing, a profound book of only five thousand Chinese characters that, for classical Taoists, is their canon of beliefs. Lao Zi and the later thinker, Zhuang Zi, developed the notion of the Dao (Tao equates to way, or path) as the origin of all creation and the unknowable force that lies behind the dynamics of the natural world. Both lived at a time of great social upheaval and in their new system of beliefs they saw the possibility of a stable society.

Dao is the way the universe functions, the path taken by all natural events. Dao is nature's way, expressed in effortless action. Within the Dao, the two elementary powers, Yin and Yang, function by reciprocal action. Daoism stresses the union of man and nature, suggesting that man control his environment not by fighting it but by co-operating with it.

Humans model themselves on earth,
Earth on heaven,
Heaven on the Way,
And the way on that which is naturally so.

Buddhism

Buddhism was introduced into the regions inhabited by the Han people, the largest ethnic group in China, about the first century AD.

There are two types of Buddhism in China, Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism reached its peak of popularity during the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581 – 907). Mahayana Buddhism stresses the existence of many Buddhas. It focuses attention on Buddhas in heaven and on people who will become Buddhas in the future. It believes that these present and future Buddhas can save people through compassion and grace. Hinayana Buddhism was introduced from Burma, about the 9 th century AD. It emphasises the importance of Buddha as a historical figure, the virtues of monastic life, and the authority of the Tripitaka.

Islam

Islam arose in China's coastal cities in the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD) and spread to many other areas with the return of the Mongolian army from its expedition to the west and the migration of Islamites from Central Asia in the 13 th century.

The introduction of Catholicism and Protestantism to China followed Buddhism and Islam, though with less influence.

Officially, the People's Republic of China encourages atheism. However, the dominant religion in China is Buddhism, with Buddhist temples and places of worship throughout the country. Daoist temples can also be found, as can mosques in Muslim areas and in all large cities. Catholic and Protestant churches can also be found in most big cities.

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