• Rituals correctly performed nourish the proper observation of

relationship obligations.

o Rituals are the outward expression of the relationship:

o The rituals Confucius reveres are recorded in the Classic of Rites and other 

documents delineating protocol in important situations

o “rituals” include public behaviors– etiquette, politeness – as well as private and 

community ceremonies to honor ancestors: even details regarding the length 

and proper clothing for mourning are proscribed.

• Filial piety is the duty and obedience owed to the superior member of any relationship, but especially referring to the duty a child owes to the father.

o “When someone’s father is alive, observe his or her ambitions. When the father 

is deceased, observe [the person’s] actions. If, after three years, he or she has 

not changed from the way of the father, then he or she can be called filial.” I.II

• The “gentleman” is the ideal man

• He understands relationships

• He correctly observes ritual

• He engages in learning

• He models “the Way”*

*also called the dao (tao) – Confucius seems to

understand it as a universal moral code and does not examine its metaphysical origin

• A ruler should lead by example

• He should perfect himself as a gentleman

• Subjects will imitate his behavior (especially as he observes the rituals) and restrain 

their uncivil impulses without force

• “If you guide them with legislation, and unify them withpunishments, then the people will avoid [the punishments] but have no conscience. If you guide them with virtue, and unify them with ritual, then they will have a conscience; moreover, they will correct 

themselves.

• Concept developed in Zhou Dynasty and predates Confucius

• “Heaven” (tian) is a sort of natural law or universal ethical system – the force that drives “the Way”

• Men rule because tian grants them that power 

• However, if a ruler is abusive, tian removes its approval and hands it to someone more 

worthy

• The Classic of Poetry

• The Classic of History

• The Book of Changes (I-Ching)

• The Classic of Rites

• The Spring and Autumn Annals 

Daoist Principles

• We should seek and follow the Way (dao) – to Daoists, the Way is the invisible, indescribable universal natural state of all things
• We should not interfere with the course of events; instead, we should bring ourselves into harmony with them
• Action based on our intellect alone is futile because we can only ever have partial, temporary knowledge
• We must keep our focus on personal development

Sutra

Scriptures recorded by the disciples and later followers of Siddhartha Gautama. ( Buddah)

Veda (Wisdom)

Sacred oral tradition that becomes the foundation for Hinduism.

Reincarnation of the soul into various forms as a direct result of karma.

scripture given to Tripitaka to help him on his journey.

* the Heart Sutra-“Form is no different from emptiness; emptiness is no different from form. Form is emptiness and emptiness is form. Of sensations, perceptions, volition, and consciousness, the same is also true. It is thus that all dharmas (laws, rules, duties) are
but empty appearances . . . This is why in emptiness there are no forms, sensations, perceptions, volition, or consciousness. No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind. ( “Six Robbers”) No form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or object of mind. . . until we reach the realm of no-mind consciousness.”

Yu’s term for the changes that must take place in an individual in order to achieve Immortality.

must undergo 10 incarnations and 81 ordeals for not paying attention during a lesson when he lived in the Western Paradise

offended the gods by burning his father’s palace and destroying sacred pearls. Kuan-Yin rescues him from execution and convinces the Jade King to turn him over to her to be transport for Tripitaka

an immortal who was doomed to wander the “world of dust” for making overtures to the Goddess of the Moon – during his time on Earth, he eats people to live, so he must atone and become a vegetarian.

an immortal who is suffering punishment for breaking a cup during a Festival – during his time on Earth, he has eaten 9 scripture pilgrims and must atone for that as well.

Buddhist term for the world of things that are temporary, that pass away

elegant, neat, proper

*Uses classical Chinese and Japanese poetry and prose

vulgar, ordinary

an ancient form of Japanese poetry popularized in the Heian era.

a compilation of Muhammad’s “recitations” of Gabriel’s revelations to him. These were written down by his followers and published as a single book after Muhammad’s death.

• Confession of faith (at least once)
• Daily prayer (salat) 5 times daily
• Almsgiving (Zakat)
• Fasting at Ramadan
• Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

• indocility
• discontent
• slander 
• jealousy
• sillines

*the worst of them being silliness