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Ancient China: Religion, Governance, and Conflict

Explore the religious beliefs, governance structure, and ongoing conflict in ancient China during the Period of Warring States. Learn about the Theocracy, Mandate of Heaven, ancestor worship, and the impact of religion on society. Understand the underlying causes of the prolonged period of conflict and its societal consequences.

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Ancient China: Religion, Governance, and Conflict

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  1. Wednesday is here!Please leave your comp books out for me to check. 1. In ancient China, who led the Theocracy? 6.33 A. Artisans B. Kings C. Priests D. Aristocrats 2. How did the people in early China make sure that their King ruled properly according to the Dao? 6.33 A. Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth B. Kings did not rule in China C. Edicts on pillars with Buddhist teachings D. Please & honor the gods or replace him

  2. Religious Beliefs and Writing in China pp. 173-177 Essential Questions: How does religion shape a society? Why does conflict develop? Standard 6.33 and 6.34

  3. How does religion shape a society? • Polytheistic- worship many gods • Government = Theocracy – King leads the government & the religion

  4. How does religion shape a society? Polytheistic – worship many gods

  5. Mandate of Heaven – right to rule came from the gods

  6. The Dao - The King must rule the proper way to please & honor the gods or he can be replaced

  7. Ancestor Worship • Ancestors –long-dead family members • The ancestors of the royal family were thought to reside in heaven (Yellow Springs) with other spirit-gods. • could be contacted via a shaman (spiritual leader) & smoke of fire or incense.

  8. According to ancient beliefs… • each person, not just royals, had 2 spirits/souls which required the offering of sacrifices 1st soul, the po, rose to heaven 2nd soul, the hun, remained in the body • Buried with what they would need in the next life (food, tools, etc.) The Po will use these. • Next, to ensure the corpse remained at peace, it was necessary to offer appropriate offerings. • Eventually, the Hun would migrate to the fabled Yellow Springs of the afterlife, but until that time, if the family did not want the spirit of their dead relation to trouble them as a wandering hungry ghost, they had to give regular offerings to nourish the soul.

  9. Ancestor Worship Many different ancestors are worshiped • Fathers – sons seek guidance to honor family name (NEVER bring dishonor to the family) What about the girls? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvmmu4O7fE 3. Previous Emperors – seek guidance on running the Theocracy 4. Previous important Aristocrats – seek guidance for government decisions

  10. Kings believed … p. 174 They received their power from the gods and their wisdom from ancestors Seeking Guidance from Ancestors Vid clip

  11. Seeking Guidance: Oracle Bones

  12. Seeking Guidance: Oracle Bones Ancestors – long-dead family members • Ask questions, drill hole in bone, put in fire, then read the cracks • Turtle shells & animal bones • Question, answer, date carved into bone • Proved ancient China had a writing system

  13. Filial PietyResponsibility of children to RESPECT, obey and take care of parents Bowing to parents to show RESPECT

  14. Writing System: • Ideographs – many characters (symbols) to represent an idea • Pictographs – characters (symbols) for objects

  15. Choose one of the ideographs to write on your notes:

  16. Period of Warring States – 7 states fighting longest / bloodiest battles in Chinese history – 200 years

  17. Weapons and Battle Strategy

  18. Invent Saddle and stirrups to make riding horse easier in battle

  19. Read the Picture What are the “big 7” problems in the Zhou society during this time of War?

  20. “The Big 7” Problems in Society at the end of the Zhou Dynasty  Warring States Period AKA Period of Warring States Government and Rulers were corrupt – act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain Aristocrats were greedy Citizens were not loyal No respect for others; including family members Crime rate was high – people were killing each other in war and in society Education was not valued Unemployment and poverty was high

  21. P49 Religion

  22. Essential Questions: • Explain how religion helped to shape the structure of the Zhou society? • Explain how conflict developed into the Period of Warring States and why it continued for over 200 years? • Predict: What are a couple of things that will probably happen as a result of such a long period of warring?

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