Roh,+Ji+MinB2011


 * Current Event Presentation**


 * Opening of the Far East DBQ**



B Roh Jimin Vicky Ancient History Unit III


 * Oct/09/2011**
 * Shintoism Chart**


 * Oct/09/2011**
 * Han Fei. A Legalist Writer**
 * Questions For Analysis**

> - In Han Fei's ideal state, the supreme governing authority is the will of the ruler. Although law is what the ruler must follow and accept, Han Fei strongly states the it is the ruler's will that is important, and that it is what makes the government strong and fair. > - The "Two Handles" are chastisement and commendation. People who are defy against the law are punished (chastised) while the people who follow the law are praised and rewarded (commended). Here it is important that these two consequences are given to all citizens under the legalist state, no matter what rank, power, experiences they had before, which balances out the fairness and significance of the law of the state. This also makes it important that the sovereign must never surrender control over the two handles, since this will make ministers ones with power, causing the citizens to look upon the ministers instead of the ruler of the state, consequently making a disordered and weak legalist state. > - Han Fei's ideal legalist state is harmonized with the united citizen's faith in the ruler and acceptance of the law, therefore individuality and private initiative play can destroy the harmony. > - Legalism may have appealed to people who were willing for a fair governing system and equal treatment in the society. Also, since a successful legalist state also lets the ruler gain complete trust and power over the state, Legalism may appeal to a ruler/governor. > - Daoists might start off by saying that there is actually no significance in a "good government", since it is important for them that each individual are able to find the Way, and take in everything just the way it is, instead of setting up a particular ruler or law to change things for the better good. If setting up laws that follow the principles of Daoism, instead of classifying whats moral and immoral, Daoists would probably want everything in place just the way they are right now, and they won't want a complete intelligently set up law for people to become smart and clever when doing something. This will lead them willing for a superior leader who is able to //open// the path to "Nothing", the Tao, therefore their superior leader shouldn't have complete power over the citizens, forcing them to move to one direction as he wants (this means that Daoists will oppose the proposition "Might makes right"). On the other hand, Confucianists would highly value a good government, which will produce an ordered society where there is a clear social hierarchy. Also, it is important to Confucianists that the laws the ruler sets for the citizens is moral and ethical since they value politeness, respect, and love for one another b THIS DICK etween the people with different stats in the country. Their superior ruler must be able to have respectful and obligatory love for his citizens and should be a person who is able to attain the position of respect and awe. Although not completely true, Confucianists would stick with the proposition "Might makes right". The Legalists are the ones who would most value a good government, since their ideal government would have laws that everyone follows and accepts, and a ruler who is able to chastise and commend all citizens. Opposing against the Daoist's opinion, Legalists will say that a superior ruler should be able to lead the citizens to the 'right' path and that he should be able to use his power to reward or punish them depending on their loyalty and acceptance of the laws. > >
 * 1) In Han Fei's ideal state what is the supreme governing authority, the will of the ruler or the law?
 * 1) What are the "Two Handles" and how important are they to a legalist state? Why must the sovereign never surrender control over the two handles?
 * 1) What roles do individuality and private initiative play in Han Fei's ideal state?
 * 1) Why do you think Legalism appealed to some people?
 * 1) Imagine a series of conversations among a Daoist, a Confucian, and a Legalist. How would each respond on the following issues: What is the purpose of good government? What role does morality play in formulating law? What are the qualities of a superior ruler? The proposition "Might makes right."

> - The mystery of the Mysterious that Lao-Tzu quotes makes me think of the Christian's faith in their system of afterlife, and even God himself. The God that Christians see with their heart is also an indescribable figure, although the Bible shares the word from centuries ago in a non-fiction way. The afterlife - Heaven and Hell - is also something that cannot be deeply and intelligently known about with human abilities, and therefore Christianity and its belief can be referred to as a mystery as a whole. > - Passage 2 depicts all concepts of the three religion, tying it up together as one; suffering, respect, and emptying. "Not honoring men..." can refer to the idea of Confucianism, and the respect towards men of worth. This will keep the order between men and will prevent needless competitions. "Not wanting rare things..." reaches the belief of Buddhism, restraining from surging desire. "Not paying attention..." directly refers to Confucianism, where it's all about emptying the mind and just flowing towards the Way, with no unnecessary thoughts or concerns. > - I think the separate meanings in this phrase represent the mutually complementary religions; Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. "Relaxing the mind" is referring to Taoism's idea of Inner Peace, and extending on from this line "reinforcing the abdomen" probably means satisfying oneself with enough knowledge and intelligence. "Gentling the will" reflects the concept of Buddhism; restraint from ones' desire. Lastly, "strengthening the bones" wraps this up into a whole united religious belief, by concluding how the Inner peace should be retained. > - Confucius' perspective in describing a government is that it should be able to lead the citizens by becoming the model for them, meaning that it should conduct itself for the people so it can be respected, admired. But contrary to this ideal, Lao Tzu claimed that a government should stay rigid but flowing by not being as strict and active, but instead leaving things they way they are. Confucius' government reminded me of a successful monarchy, with a respectful, intelligent, generous ruler developing the country for a long period of time, whereas Lao Tzu's government ideal reminded me of an anarchy more lenient than Confucius's. I prefer Lao Tzu's government over Confucius's because I think such a loose, wide range government is what we need in this kind of a time period. Although a little chaotic at first, the people will be able to interact with each other more, and instead of trying to understand and change everything in the path, they will be able to become more lenient and peaceful. > - Regarding the third treasure he describes, i think Lao Tzu is trying to say that a person who is more compassionate and modest about his position and power is likely to succeed than others who are triumphant and fiercely, disrespectfully competitive. As a Korean teen living in the 21st century, I have to admit that I disagree with Lao Tzu in some ways. It is very important nowadays that we are prepared to jump in the on-growing competition of the world, and that we have a clear goal that we will pursue with strong passion and effort. Lao Tzu would probably state that an ambitious person will become the person way back behind of the people who modestly raise their dreams and goals little by little with compassion.
 * Oct/05/2011**
 * Assignment 2**
 * 1) In //Lectures on the Tao Teh Ching//, Lao-Tzu says, that, "The mystery of the Mysterious is the gateway to all indescribable marvels". Does this quote have an equivalent to in Christianity? Are there other parts of the Tao Teh Ching that remind you of Christian ideals?
 * 1) See Passage 2, "Not honoring men....Not wanting rare things...Not paying attention..." How are does this help one understand how Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism found common ground and were not mutually exclusive belief systems?
 * 1) In Passage 2, what do you think is meant by the lines, "relaxing the mind, reinforcing the abdomen, gentling the will, strengthening the bones"?
 * 1) Consider the last three entries from D.C. Lau's //Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching//, Lao Tzu describes government. How is this ideal different from Confucius' ideal? What present day system of government are you reminded of when you read this section? Do you think this is a good system? Explain.
 * 1) Regarding the third treasure that Lao Tzu describes, what do you think is his message? Do you agree? What does this say about people who are ambitious?


 * Tao of Pooh Wikipost (Vicky R., Sunha P.) - Nowhere and Nothing**

Prepare an answer for the following questions > - The author intentionally chose an animal that had undergone a huge process of metamorphosis; from an ugly, fat caterpillar to a beautiful, free butterfly. By using an animal that transforms into something totally unpredicted, I think the author is trying to infer how humans can change as well. > - The water cycle symbolizes our life, which repeats its steps in a cycle. In the end, eventually human-beings will reach death. > - The main point is that even in the blink of an eye the rank of a person could change, for example from a prince to a farmer, therefore your rank in society shouldn't be a huge matter. > The author is trying to deliver the message of a "cycle" and "change" that occur in life. >
 * Sep/29/2011**
 * Assignment 1**
 * 1) Why does the author choose a butterfly?
 * 1) What is the importance of the water cycle?
 * 1) What is the point about the 'man raising melons'?
 * 1) What is the author attempting to convey to the reader?


 * Sep/28/2011**
 * Tao of Pooh Questions**




 * Sep/22/2011**
 * Tradition and Religion Discussion Questions**

>
 * 1) I personally think religion is a special system in which a group of people choose to believe in. Their religion can change their perspective on different things and can unite the group of people, forming new, special relationships among them. A religious person is one in this kind of group with strong faith in their religion. They will participate fully in every worshipping activities and rituals. They will also use their belief in the religion in almost every aspects in life, using it to choose their perspectives and personality. Although it is said that Confucius didn’t really study the aspects of God, I think he was certainly influenced by his own religion. I can’t say one particular religion he believed in, but I thought that he had in someway his perspectives and views in life that was influenced by the idea of Heaven and God.
 * 1) According to Confucius, Heaven is the ultimate power that knows everything and is able to bring the changes and decisions between the relations of people. He also mentioned that even wealth and honor depended on Heaven, which means his system of Confucianism is greatly influenced by the idea of Heaven as well. Confucius mainly believes Heaven as the ultimate and undeniable power above men. When I look at a religion such as Christianity and it’s system of Jesus and Heaven/Hell, I see the followers are greatly influenced by these teachings and therefore every action they take are closely thought out with their knowledge from the Bible. A general example would be someone trying their best to believe that Jesus is always beside him/her, and therefore thinking and acting with the on-going belief of his afterlife in Heaven.


 * Sep/20/2011**
 * What Would Confucius Do?**


 * Sep/19/2011**
 * Notes on Confucius and Confucianism**


 * Sep/08/2011**
 * Buddhism Sect Project (Pure Land Buddhism)** with Leo, Christopher


 * Sep/01/2011**
 * Christian to Atheist**

During the previous class when were assigned to come up with our own definition of religion and philosophy, I noticed how close these two could relate to each other yet could be very distant in a way. Religion is the belief in which a group of people strongly have faith in whether it breaks the law of nature, reality, or whatever the majority of the people think could not happen or exist. On the other hand, philosophy is the study of the world's nature, it's reality, and fundamentalism. This could lead to on-going theories and perspectives that differ greatly based on each philosopher. I thought, maybe a religion, such as Christianity or the existence of God, may have arisen from a philosopher with his/her own unique aspect. Both religion and philosophy cannot be exactly proved to be right or wrong, and each has its own history to it. They are both a belief that is either accepted or denied to each individual. Therefore, studying religion and philosophy may help greatly in understanding and predicting what the belief of the people during that period would have been like, or how the element of religion or philosophy could have developed or changed until now. However, studying too deeply into religion and philosophy and making an issue of it may hurt oneself and others around, since they are probably originated from one unique perspective of a person or a group.
 * Sep/01/2011**
 * WHAT DO RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY HAVE IN COMMON? And, WHY IS THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY IMPORTANT?**