Existence of Religion in China before the Influence of the West - Essay Example

Some of the traditional Chinese beliefs were based on Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and folk religions. Buddhism has had a significant following in China since its introduction in the first century from India (Adler, 2002). It is based on the teachings, beliefs, and practices of its founder, Siddhartha Gautama, widely known as Buddha. From its inception, Buddhism has existed under two main categories – the Theravada and Mahayana – and each had followers in different parts of Asia. Initially, Buddhism teachings and beliefs met stiff resistance from Chinese society due to its concept of monasticism and repugnance to social affairs. These beliefs and practices went against traditional Chinese norms and standards. Buddhism was seen as a retrogressive and barbaric practice that was a threat to the state authority, and Buddhist monasteries were of no value to the economy of the state. As a way of making it appeal to Chinese society, Buddhism concepts were matched to Taoism by the first Indian translators (Adler, 2002). Subsequently, it started to appeal to the elites and intellectuals, and a new genre of Buddhism was formed as an alternative to Taoism and Confucianism.

Taoism is a belief and philosophical tradition that is based on living in harmony with Tao. Tao is a principle of “path” or “way” and is also found among other Chinese traditional religions and philosophies (Adler, 2002). The root word of literature in Taoism is the teachings attributed to Laozi and Zhuangzi that build the theoretical foundation of its beliefs. Taoism is naturally individualistic and is not institutionalized, though different schools evolved that incorporated beliefs that were not originally found in Taoism keystones. Taoism schools do feature reverences for ancestors or immortals and various foretelling and exorcism customs and practices for achieving delight and long life. These different schools are not institutionalized and do not forbid their followers from believing and practicing a multiplicity of schools of beliefs and philosophies including, Confucianism and Chinese folk religion.

Chinese folk religions comprise a traditional belief system based on mythology that practices the worship of deities – clan, cities, national and cultural deities - and demigods. Folk religion in China has been classified as Taoism since mainstream Taoism has been trying to assimilate customary religions.  Confucianism is a belief system based on the ethics and philosophical teachings of Confucius. Confucianism has been the official state ideology of the country since the fall of the Qin dynasty (Adler, 2002). Traditional Chinese religions have been largely individual-focused beliefs and philosophies that never demand exclusive adherence from followers.

Existence of religion in China before the influence of the West
Religion in China existed in the form of belief systems developed by philosophers and other idealists based on the traditional Chinese folk religion. These belief systems were never forced upon the people and were adhered to realize a high moral and intellectual understanding of life. Buddhism for instance was introduced to China from India along the Silk Road region, and to make it appeal to the Chinese society and political class, it had to assimilate traditional, folk practices (Adler, 2002). Some of the beliefs of traditional Chinese society fit the description of religious rites such as the veneration of ancestors. This practice is aimed at showing a deceased family member respect and cements the family ties between the dead and the living. Veneration to the ancestors is an entrenched practice in Chinese society and is based on the teaching of filial piety, coined by Confucius. The practice, however, has a religious connotation because the dead are believed to possess higher power than the living and could influence the lives of the mortals. The core belief in ancestor veneration is that there is continuity of life after death, a belief that is central in many regions including Christianity. However, there is a thin line that defined religion and social ideologies in Chinese religion.

Religion has existed in China characterized by pluralism for a long time. Among the first forms of ideology that had religious status was Confucianism; developed around 500 BC. This ideology though was assimilated into social, ethical, and political life and helped to define early Chinese culture and still has influence to date. On the other hand, Buddhism was introduced in China through trade and gained a following among Chinese society around 200 BC. Buddhism was assimilated into traditional Chinese culture and helped in defining and influencing Chinese literature, architecture, philosophy, and even medicine. Meanwhile, Christianity was first introduced in China around the seventh century AD but has only achieved influence in the last 200 years. The first religious movements were introduced a long time before Christianity. The West introduced Christianity to China but not religion.