Term
| What is the Chinese word for Religion? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
What does Zongjiao in China?
|
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What role did gods and spirits play in ancient Chinese religion? |
|
Definition
| Shang-Di meant Lord on High, similar to Zeus |
|
|
Term
| What are some examples of some of the gods/spirits? |
|
Definition
| Sun, moon, wind, clouds, rain and snow. She- Earth, Ji- Grain. |
|
|
Term
| What role did the Mother goddess have in ancient Chinese religion? |
|
Definition
| There was some sort of mother goddess evidenced through archaeology. A “Western Mother” and an Easter Mother”. The figures had a clear connection to life and motherhood. Nuwa is another female deity figure that is rumored. She made humans out of the earth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Buddhist goddess of mercy |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| She always exists and starts creation, Humans come from her |
|
|
Term
| What role did Ancestral Spirits and Sage Kings have? |
|
Definition
| Dead are seen as never leaving, they can still help and punish us. Ancestors are closer to Gods than humans. Sage Kings- rulers of Heaven, Earth and Humans (The three sovereigns- Sanhuang) The Five Emperors (Wudi)- based on real emperors who appear in ancient texts. Yellow Emoeror, Zhuanxu, Yao, Shun, Yu |
|
|
Term
| Who is the Stove God? How is he important? |
|
Definition
| Spy for the Gods, reports good and bad things that happen in the house. Still around today which shows continuity in Chinese religion. Offered rice cake at New Years Eve to “shut him up” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (Wu) Any religious figure who can bridge the gap between Humans and the Divine, meditate in a trance-like state (ecstatic) outside of the body, have ability to talk to spirits and dead, use nature to tell future, can call out evil spirits. |
|
|
Term
| What is the Shamans role in China? |
|
Definition
| Summoned back the soul of a sick or deceased person. |
|
|
Term
| How did the King serve as Shaman? |
|
Definition
| Was chief Shaman either because he possessed qualities, or was believed to have come form ancestors who were Shamans. Tianzi- Sons of Heaven- ancient king |
|
|
Term
| What are some forms of divination practices? (Ancient Chinese) |
|
Definition
| Oracle Bones- scapulmancy was reading of shoulder bones by the crackling of a fire, also turtle shells. Astrology- 4000 years ago could track 5 planets, predicted equinox, figured out eclipses. Dream interpretation- Book of Changes included symbols that would appear in dreams |
|
|
Term
| What was the role of animal sacrifice in ancient China? |
|
Definition
| Animals were brought to altars, sanctified, and often destroyed, in order to achieve contact with an invisible power and thereby avert evil or invite beneficial influence |
|
|
Term
| What is the Ancestor Cult and Filial Piety? |
|
Definition
| Evidence of this practice going back 4000 years. Home altar |
|
|
