Han,+Byong+JoonF2011

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 * Religion and Philosophy:**

Religion and philosophies both bring around the people to trust and worship their beliefs and thinking. People follow advices and theories that were given from both religion and philosophy.
 * WHAT DO RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY HAVE IN COMMON?**

Study of religion and philosophy is important, because they both change the way of people thinking and living their lives. Also, they both improve people intelligence and tells what's right or wrong.
 * And, WHY IS THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY IMPORTANT?**



=**Buddhism:**=

Comparison Charts page:

Haven't I seen you somewhere before ?

=**Confucianism:**= Confucianism Notes

Tradition and religion on Confucianism



=**Taoism:**= The //Tao of the Pooh// questions: James Huh: 1-8 Shelley Shim: 9-16 David Han: 17-24 Seung Ah Lee: 25-32

1. What is the significance of the painting Hoff describes named The Vinegar Tasters? (2) - The Vinegar Tasters is a painting that is significant because it represents the "Three Teachings" of China. The three significant figures who represent Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism are Confucius, Buddha, and Lao-tse. The painting shows the way each belief sees life, which is represented by the vinegar, and this is shown by the different types of faces that are made by the three men.

2. What is the theme of life according to Hoff’s interpretation of Taoism? (5-6) - According to Hoff, the theme of life according to Taoism is the happiness that occurs when one lives in harmony with the world. Instead of trying to move away from the "world of dust," one should try to join it by appreciating, learning from, and working with what happens. Hoff said that Taoism believes that this directly leads to happiness.

3. How does Hoff explain the “uncarved block” metaphor? (10) - Hoff explains the idea of the uncarved block by first explaining to the readers that the uncarved blocked represents the original simplicity that things naturally have, and how the things that aren't messed around with contain natural energy. For example, Taoism would see the original, pure form of a boulder as having more natural energy than the boulder changed into a slate to carve words onto.

4. What is the secret message of the “uncarved block?” (12) - The secret message of the uncarved block is that being simpleminded is the key to living life and getting past its problems. Hoff says that being simpleminded isn't the same as being stupid, and it is actually being calm and having a mirror like mind. He even adds on that it is significant that the simpleminded Pooh is the main character of Winnie the Pooh, because it reflects the idea that Pooh is able to accomplish the things that he does because of his simplemindedness.

5. What was the main conflict between the Confucianists and Taoists according to Hoff? (24) - The main conflict was that scholars in China were generally Confucianist, and saw things from a different point of view from the Taoists. Lao-tse once said a quote that meant that education could prevent one from seeing all things and being wise, and that being smarter could in a way hinder one's wisdom.

6. Which of Milne’s characters represent Confucianists and Taoists according to Hoff? - Owl represents a Confucianist and Pooh represents a Taoist.

7. What is Hoff’s opinion of Confucianist scholars? (26) - Hoff does not have a positive opinion about Confucianist scholars, and he shows this by the way he describes them. First, he describes Owl as a "dried-up Western descendent of the Confucianist Dedicated Scholar, who unlike his Noble but rather Unimaginative ancestor..." Hoff gives a small preview of how he thinks about Confucianist scholars by first calling them unimaginative, and talks more about it when Pooh is confused. The opinion is expanded on, and Hoff says that the Confucianist Scholars kept what he learned to himself and wrote pompous papers that no one would understand instead of working for the enlightenment of the people who read it.

8. What does Hoff say about knowledge vs. experience? (29) - Hoff says that knowledge and experience are two completely different things, but knowledge that comes from experience is better than just plain knowledge.

9. What do most scholars blame for problems in the world? Why isn’t it justified? (32) Most scholars blame the "uncarved block" for problems in the world. This isn't justified because the scholars refuse to admit that it is their fault and blame it on the "uncarved block" instead. This is a quality of many people. They try to correct their misconceptions with reasonable justifications, but they do not allow themselves to fully agree to it.

10. What is the difference between “cleverness” and “Inner Nature?” (38) The difference between "cleverness" and "Inner Nature" is that "cleverness" can be measured, has limitations, and people can understand it, but "Inner nature" cannot be measured nor be clearly understood by people.

11. Why is it important to discern your own Inner Nature? (41) It isn't important to discern your own Inner Nature because you can figure out where and where not you belong. In knowing this, you can easily tell whether things are right or wrong for you.

12. Explain Hoff’s interpretation of the Chinese quote: “One disease, long life; No disease, short life.” (48) Hoff's interpretation of the Chinese quote above is the idea that people who acknowledge their problems, admit to their misconceptions, and try to fix them will live longer. However, Hoff believes that people who ignore and neglect their problems, reject the existence of them, and those who fail to correct themselves will die sooner because they failed in looking after themselves. This interpretation is similar to the idea that people who know their limitations will live long and be healthy, whereas those who do not recognize their problems will not.

13. What does Hoff mean when he states that we must learn to “work with Things As They Are?” (50) By stating that we must learn to "work with Things As They Are", Hoff means that people should recognize the quality of things when they are in their natural form rather than trying to adjust them. Hoff is basically saying that we should appreciate and work with "things that are there" instead of trying to get "things to work with us". Overall, he is saying that it is wiser to recognize things as what they are in the present instead of constantly trying to look for answers to unnecessary questions.

14. What happens to people who do not listen to their Inner Nature? (57) People who do not listen to their Inner Nature have trouble understanding themselves, are easily influenced by others, and instead of recognizing their own individual identity, they are influenced by other people.

15. What is the Way of Self-Reliance? (57-8) The Way of Self-Reliance is the process of discovering who we are, what we need to do, and what things are right for us. The most important thing is to understand our individual selves and search for things that match us, instead of looking to others.

16. How can we change ourselves effectively through the principles of Taoism? (58) We can change ourselves effectively through the principles of Taoism by transforming the things we dislike into favorable, beneficial things or use them in a efficient manner/way. In changing the bad to good, many positive items would be created and help us lessen the struggle we have in getting rid of negative ones.

17. What is the Wu Wei or “The Pooh Way” according to Hoff? (67-8) It is the most characteristic element of Taoism-in-action. Wu Wei basically means “without doing, causing, or making” or no going against the nature of things. However, in practical way, it means without meddlesome, combative, or egotistical effort.

18. How does the quote, “Tao does not do, but nothing is not done,” explain Wu Wei or “The Pooh Way?” (70) The quote basically means that Tao doesn’t force or interfere with things, but allows them to do their work in their own way, to produce results naturally. Then whatever that is necessary is done. The quote explains that Tao doesn’t do or put any effort on anything but he gets things done naturally with good results.

19. How does Tai Chi reflect Wu Wei or Taoism as a martial art? (87-8) Tai Chi Ch’uan is the basic idea of which is to wear the opponent out either by sending his energy back at him or by deflecting it away, in order to weaken his power, balance, and position-for-defense. Never is force opposed with force; instead, it is overcome with yielding. What it means to be overcame with yielding is that results will produce naturally without any force from something just like the idea of We Wei or Taoism.

20. Are you a Bisy Backson? (94) Just like Bisy Backson is active with his exercises all the time, I also do physical activities, because I play various sports which are good exercises. However, sometimes I see those exercises as works, because it requires physical body movement and work that your body have to do.

21. What is the Bisy Backson view of American history according to Hoff? (103-104) Bisy Backson thinks that he has to fight and overcome things to progress. The correct definition of progress involves developing and growing which also involves changing inside, but that’s not something the Bisy Backson will do. Bisy Backson believes that he has to change everything and interfering with useless things to make a progress.

22. How does the Bisy Backson waste time by trying to save it? (108-109) Bisy Backson doesn’t spend his time wisely and usefully, because he thinks doing much work beforehand will save him time, but realistically it doesn’t.

23. What is the Youthful Immortal? (108-9) Youthful Immortal is one of the most intriguing things about Taoism.

24. What makes us happy in life the goals or the process we go through to reach the goals? Why? (111) The way of doing things right and going through beneficial process makes us happy, wise and have enjoyment. However, doing things wrong make us miserable, angry, confused.

25. What is the significance of The Stonecutter? (118-9) The significance of The Stonecutter is that one should always be satisfied of their life no matter which level he or she is in. The Stonecutter wanted to be the merchant, official, sun, and many other things; however, after becoming the stone, he looks down what could be more powerful than the stone and finds out that it was the stonecutter.

26. Explain the significance of the following line from the Tao Te Ching: “From caring comes courage.” (128) the statement, "From caring comes courage" is significant because it defines having wisdom. According to the story, it is rather significant to those who do not have compassion, do not have wisdom either. Through this quote, people can get more confident and courage in their lives.

27. Where does one find Wisdom, Happiness and Courage? (137) One can find Wisdom, Happiness, and Courage through appreciating what he or she has given and who you are.

28. What is the “Great Nothing?” (143) To the Taoist, "Great Nothing" actually means something because they think that nothing is something that many consider to be important. Doing "nothing" will eventually give one a very meaningful and important result.

29. Why is an “Empty sort of mind” so valuable according to Taoism? (146-7) An "Empty sort of mind" is valuable because it allows one to find pearls and tails that cannot be seen that easily with complicated thoughts inside one's mind. Because Knowledge and Cleverness can lead one to wrong things, it is better to have an empty mind that one can think of something very easily and without complication.

30. Interpret the following quote: “To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.” (148-9) This statement tells that in order to obtain the knowledge, one should add things by learning. However, in order to obtain the wisdom, one should forget about oneself (how the story mentioned about forgetting his body and senses and leaving all appearance and information behind) and start from nowhere.

31. Why is the child the highest stage of development? (151) The child is the highest stage of development because the child have the purest and "clear-minded, all-seeing Child" called wisdom by the Taoists which does not apply to the adults. Because the children are very pure and empty-minded, they can actually experience the concept of "Great Nothing" and gain more wisdom.

32. Why may knowledge and cleverness destroy life as we know it? (154) Knowledge and cleverness may destroy life because cleverness of mind only separates the thinker from the world of reality. Also too much and complicated knowledge will make one to think too much and care too little.

=[|Chuang Tzu] And The Butterfly Analysis=

Chuang Tzu in dream became a butterfly, And the butterfly became Chuang Tzu at waking. Which was the real—the butterfly or the man ? Who can tell the end of the endless changes of things? The water that flows into the depth of the distant sea Returns anon to the shallows of a transparent stream. The man, raising melons outside the green gate of the city, Was once the Prince of the East Hill. So must rank and riches vanish. You know it, still you toil and toil,—what for?

Prepare an answer for the following questions"
 * 1) Why does the author choose a butterfly? I think the author chose a butterfly, because a butterfly can move around lightly and peacefully as it want without any adversity.
 * 2) What is the importance of the water cycle? The importance of the water cycle is that there's no end of the everlasting changes of things. Things will change constantly.
 * 3) What is the point about the 'man raising melons'? The "man raising melons" is pointing out that the life of man who was one the Prince of the East Hill have changed to maybe a salesperson.
 * 4) What is the author attempting to convey to the reader? The reader is trying to imply that there is a transformation of things or change of things in this world by giving examples of it.

= = = Current Events Presentation =

= //**Taoism Wikiposts**// = = Chapter: Nothing and Nowhere =

[[image:nothing32.jpg width="308" height="233" caption="Nothing"]]
In this chapter, it starts off with the conversation between Christopher Robin and Pooh. Then, the book starts to explains about the value of Nothing and how Nothing can be the key that unlocks the doors of wisdom, happiness and truth by talking about the story of Consciousness first. Consciousness went to meet Speechless Non-Doer to ask three questions and he gave no reply. Then, Consciousness went to ask Impulsive Speech-Maker, but Impulsive Speech-Maker forgot what he was going to say as soon as he started to speak. Finally, Consciousness returned to the palace and told the Yellow Emperor that having no thought, put no effort and do nothing is the first step towards understanding the Tao and finding peace in the Tao. He also explains that starting from no point and follow no road is the first step of reaching the Tao. So, Taoists think that Nothing is the key that unlocks the doors of wisdom, happiness, and truth which is the Great Secret.

Emptiness is something that people are afraid of; however, the Empty mind actually can bring wisdom and happiness. An overstuffed mind brings you loneliness and it is filled with full of knowledge and ideas, so you won't be able to see what's in front of. The more your mind is stuffed up, the less your mind can hear through its own ears and see through its own eyes. With an empty mind, you feel relaxed and happy, but you will feel lonely with an overstuffed mind. More examples of happiness and wisdom can be seen among children, helpless and enjoying what's around us. Clear-minded, all seeing Children, not the adults are the end of the cycle and highest level of development which is called as wisdom. Adults minds are filled with knowledge and ideas, but minds of children are empty and wisdom. So, the children are considered as the wisest ones.

//**Theme Analysis:**//
In the book, Consciousness wandered around places to places and asked these three questions to Speechless Non-Doer, Impulsive Speech-Maker: What thoughts and efforts will lead us to understanding the Tao? Where must we go and what must we do to find peace in the Tao? What point must we start and which road must we follow in order to reach the Tao? Then when he asked the Yellow Emperor, he said the message of this book. The message in this book is that in order to step forward reaching the Tao, you have to start from no point and follow no road. You shouldn't put any effort during the first step understanding the Tao.

http://bytesdaily.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html
4. Nothing http://atthedspot.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/the-art-of-planning-nothing/

=__//Essential Quotes Questions//__=

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? This quote "Heaven is long lasting and earth is enduring. The reason why heaven and earth can live long and endure is that they do not live only for themselves." reminds me of Christian ideals, because just like heaven and earth are connected, the Jesus and people are connected. Basically, believing in God or Jesus is the path of following the heaven.

2. 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?

This passage is basically explaining about how people should live their life considering the morality. Partially, teachings of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism are focused on the humanity. Humanity can be the common ground among these three belief systems.

3. In Passage 2, what do you think is meant by the lines, "relaxing the mind, reinforcing the abdomen, gentling the will, strengthening the bones"?

I think it means that as long as the person is relaxed and pacified and the person is not doing any actions and allow things regulate naturally, that person is following the path of reaching the Taoism.

4. 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.

Confucius ideal is way different of the ideal of government in Tao Te Ching, because Confucius disagrees that non-action will bring good outcomes and it’s not the philosophy they believe in. The government that is described in Tao Te Ching is like a modern democracy, because people can do anything they want and their life seems simple and relaxed than getting forced by something. This is a good system, because people feel relaxed, happy and empty with this type of system.

5. 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?

I think Lao Tzu is trying to tell readers that people shouldn’t be so eager or desirable on winning over something, because he thinks without putting any effort, people will achieve good outcomes eventually. I agree that people shouldn’t be so eager to achieve or overcome something. This third treasure says that people who are ambitious shouldn’t put any effort on achieving something and they should just let things happen naturally.

= Legalism =

1. In Han Fei's ideal state what is the supreme governing authority, the will of the ruler or the law? According to the Han Fei's ideal state, the supreme governing authority is the will of the law. Strong ruler is necessary to formulate laws that can force people to obey and believe their sovereign.
 * QUESTIONS FOR ANALYSIS**

2. 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? Chastisement and commendation are the "Two Handles", and it's important, because it's the means by which the intelligent ruler controls his ministers. If the sovereign ruler surrenders control over the two handles, people will fear the ministers and insult the ruler, turn to the minister and away from the ruler.

3. What roles do individuality and private initiative play in Han Fei's ideal state? Individuality and private initiative contradicts the principle of Legalism known as authoritarian. People should obey and follow their ruler instead of working independently.

4. Why do you think Legalism appealed to some people? Some people, who thinks following all laws and obeying sovereign authority, would consider legalism as appealing. Also, some people would be interested in legalism, because they think that their country would be in better shape if there's a strong ruler in the country.

5. 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."

Taoists respond: "Nothing" Legalists respond: "The purpose of good government is to create a nation with strong laws. Also, laws will not be formulated based on morality, because morality is not important. Superior ruler should make strong laws and make wars." Confucian respond: "The purpose of good government is to make people live based on humanity. Laws should be formulated based on what is right or wrong for a person to do. Also, superior ruler should be benevolent and act as a symbol of morality.

= Shintoism & Shamanism =

Document 1 Group 1

1. Define mudang, ritual, shaman, kut. Mudang, also known as shaman, is a person who has received a spirit from a supernatural world, and they're believed to be fortune teller and communicate with God. Also, they're in charge of religious ceremony called a kut or rituals in other words. In a kut, mudang performs with musicians playing instruments such as ching, changgu, and chengum.

- Some Koreans still believe in Shamanism. - Koreans developed a strong sense of unity and community after Shamanism has introduced. - When Korea was in natural chaos and wars, Shamanism enabled Koreans to cure diseases, obtain good fortunes, avoid damages, and possibly gain financial success.
 * 2. How has Shamanism influenced Korea? List three ways.**

3. Describe the role of a mudang or shaman in the kut ceremony. Why are mudang mainly women? In a kut ceremony, mudang sings with several musicians playing instruments and she tells fortunes and they conduct different types of rituals such as family ritual and village ritual. Females have more views on yin and males believe in yang.

4. Why are music and dance an important part of Shamanism’s rituals? Singing and dancing in ritual is important for an individual to become a mudang by receiving a spirit.

5. Why would members of an organized religion (Buddhists, Catholics, and Protestants) use a shaman? Why do shamans still exist in modern Korea?

Shamans continue to exist in Korea, because modern Buddhists and Christianity have absorbed many Shamanistic folk ideas. People in Korea consider the Shamanism as traditional and indigenous religion, and that's why some people in Korea still believes in Shamanistic ideas. Those people proclaim themselves as Buddhists and Christians.

=** Christianity in Korea **=

=READING 1: ORIGINS OF THE KOREAN CHURCH=

Excerpts from: Clark, Donald. Christianity in Modern Korea. New York: The University Press of America,1986. Kang, Wi Jo. Christ and Caesar in Modern Korea: a History of Christianity and Politics. Albany: SUNY Press, 1997. The first Korean contact with Roman Catholicism is reported to have come through the Japanese soldiers who invaded Korea in 1592. When Toyotomi Hideyoshi sent his troops to conquer Korea, a Roman Catholic general, Konishi Yukinaga, was among them. About eighteen thousand Catholic soldiers were in General Konishi’s division. The soldiers were Japanese converts, the result of missionary work by St. Francis Xavier, who came to Japan in 1549, and his Jesuit successors. The Japanese general also brought along a Jesuit missionary, Father de Cespedes. However, it appears de Cespedes’ ministry was limited exclusively to the Japanese soldiers and there is no evidence that it had any direct influence on the native Koreans (Kang, 1).

The Korean Church began with a small group of eighteenth-century Confucian scholars, who found themselves out of favor with the government. Yi Pyok and his friends felt Korean Confucianism could be invigorated through a clearer understanding of man’s relation to nature— “the investigation of things.” Among the texts studied by these scholars was a smuggled copy of The True Doctrine of the Lord of Heaven, a Chinese work by the seventeenth-century Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci. Ricci’s description of the Christian god seemed much like their idea of the neo-Confucian Supreme Ultimate and they decided to learn more. This was risky. The Pope’s condemnation of ancestor worship in neighboring China had scandalized Korean Confucians. The church was therefore regarded as hostile to the Confucian order of the Chosŏn dynasty. The scholars decided to send a representative to Peking. Yi Sunghun, was the son of a recently appointed Korean envoy bound for China in 1783. They persuaded him to accompany his father, find out everything he could and bring back books. Yi Sunghun did more: in Peking he became a Christian himself and was christened Peter, a name suggesting his destiny as founder of the Korean church. When he returned home in 1784, he carried books, crucifixes, images and information about Christian rituals. Then he joined with Yi Pyok to found a small lay congregation of Catholics. This was Korea’s first known Christian church (Clark, 5).

Questions
Be sure to answer these questions in complete sentences. Be prepared to share your answers.

1. Why do you think the first time Christianity entered Korea, it attracted no converts and had basically no influence on the Korean people or society?

The idea of Christianity was brought to Korea when Japan had control over Korea. Among the Japanese soldiers, there was a Roman Catholic general,Konishi Yukinaga, and people didn't like the Christianity, because it was the religion that their enemies believed in.

2. What is unique about how the first Christian church was established in Korea as compared to the formation of early churches in other parts of the non-western world?

After the Pope's condemnation of ancestor worship in neighboring China had horrified Korean Confucians, Yi Pyok and his scholars sent an envoy to Peking. Yi Sunghun, an envoy, became Christian himself in Peking and brought ideas of Christianity back to Korea. Then, Yi Pyok, Yi Sunghun, and his scholars established Christian Church in Korea; therefore, first Christian church was established in Korea by Confucian scholars Unlike Japan's first contact with Christianity, Korean Christianity started by Yi Sunghun and Yi Pyok and his scholars. Japan faced missionaries from other countries and that's how they adopted Christianity. However, in Korea, Yi Sunghun brought ideas of Christianity to Korea and started from a small lay congregation of Catholics.

3. How might this unique start have continued to influence how Christianity is regarded in Korea?

This unique start of Christianity in Korea might make people consider the Christianity as a religion that was adopted from foreign countries. Some people would criticize or don't worship Christianity, just because it has adopted to Korea from other countries like Beijing in China. However, some people would consider Christianity as their own indigenous religion, because the idea of Christianity was brought by Yi Sunghun. Today, in this society, most people in Korea worship and love Christianity, because the idea of Christianity have adopted from Korean Confucianism.

At the end of this lesson you should be able to:
 * describe the emergence of the Christian community in Korea.
 * explain why Christianity gained more adherents in (South) Korea than in other East Asian nations.

To begin, create a document in which you have a chart similar to the one below. Use this as a foundation to document the information you need to record the timeline of Christianity in Korea. This goes into your wiki as the last section in preparation for your essay test. Japanese occupation || 1910-1945 ||  || = Ancient History of Korea, China and Japan =
 * Reading number and Title || Period being addressed || Three major (the power of three, sometimes you get two sometimes four) points drawn from this period ||
 * 2. Growth of Christianity || 1780s-1880s || 23000 converts in Korea, Confucianism dominated the country during 1800s. ||
 * 3. Intro of Protestantism || 1880s-1910s ||  ||
 * 4. Korean Christianity under
 * 5. Korean Christianity || Since 1945 ||  ||
 * 1. Origins of Korean Church ||  ||   ||

F HanByongJoon Unit III Ancient History

Rise and Fall of Chinese Dynasties by David Byong Joon Han

= East Asia in the Age of Imperialism =