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The Influence of Yin and Yang on the Religion in China
The Yin-Yang symbol has its roots in Daoism, Chinese religion, and philosophy and is greatly important for religious and cultural development. The concepts of Yin and Yang are central to Chinese religion and philosophy in general, including both Daoism and Confucianism. Yin and Yang were born out of chaos when the universe was first created, and they are believed to exist in harmony at the center of the Earth. In Chinese religion, Daoists favor Yin while Confucians favor Yang, which aligns with the main thrust of their respective philosophies. Daoists emphasize the importance of solitude, while Confucians believe in the importance of participation in life. Yin and Yang represent the primordial play of opposites in life and the world known as the Dao. Yin and Yang symbolize the interaction at the center of the dynamism or energy of life. Daoism maintains that society within Yin and Yang is composed of countless antagonistic components; all existence is charged with two great forces. In one way or another, Yin and Yang are present in all religious movements in China; the significance of these symbols in the culture of the country is integral.
Shintoism
Shintoism is one of the oldest Japanese religious movements, which is as old as the country itself. More than 80 percent of the Japanese population practice Shinto, although only about 4 percent admit to being involved in the religious practices of Shinto. Shinto does not have a main sacred text, mission, or founder; Shinto is more of a set of precepts for a proper way of life than a strict religious doctrine. The main purpose of Shintoism is to connect with ‘Kami’ through spiritual practices and the observance of ritual ceremonies such as weddings and funerals, which are religious experiences (Now This World, 2017). ‘Kami’ are not gods but elements, spirits of nature, certain things, and concepts; they are not good and not evil; they are designed to connect a person and the world around him.
Daoism
Laozi’s Daodejing is considered the main document of Daoism, one of the three Chinese religions, which is a small text with a basic set of rules for life. The main goal of Daoism is the concept and coexistence in the universal power of Dao, the mother of everything, unformed but complete, inexplicable but omnipresent. Dao can be understood through ‘Li’ – the order that exists in nature, self-organizing, beautiful, and random (Cogito, 2020). ‘Wu Wei’ is the main concept that allows a person to come closest to understanding the Dao. This path involves awareness of oneself as one with nature, and coexistence with a single stream of the universe and nature; it involves not going against the general current.
Confucianism
Confucianism is one of China’s most influential and ancient teachings, which is a belief system, religion, philosophy, mythology, and path. Confucianism is best understood as an ethical guide to life, suggesting the importance of moral and ethical qualities that can influence the world around a person. There are no Confucian gods, and Confucius is revered as an ancient and wise teacher closer to the spirit than the god. The correct moral character in Confucianism is achieved through the virtue of ‘ren,’ humanity, which leads to more virtuous behavior involving respect, altruism, and humility (The School of Life, 2015). Widespread Confucian rituals exist to form a respectful attitude of people toward each other, and to create a sense of community.
References
Cogito. (2020). What is Taoism? [YouTube Video]. YouTube. Web.
Now This World. (2017). What is the ancient Japanese religion Shinto? [YouTube Video]. YouTube.
The School of Life. (2015). Eastern philosophy – Confucius. [YouTube Video]. YouTube. Web.
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