e paintings that religious rites may have been used to ensure the success of hunting, fertility, and harvests.Confucianism began about 2,500 years ago in China. The founder Supreme Sage K'ung-fu-tsu (Confucius) and Secong Sage Meng-tzu (Mencius).Its, Doctrine of the Mean, Great Learning and Mencius.Confucianism has been for over 25 centuries, the dominant philosophical system in China and the guiding light in almost every aspect of Chinese life. Confucius and his followers traveled throughout the many feudal states of the Chinese empire, persuading rulers to adopt his social reforms. They did not offer a point-by-point program, but stressed instead the "Way," or "One Thread," Jen, which is (translated as "humanity or love") that runs through all Confucius' teachings. They urged individuals to strive for perfect virtue, righteousness (called Yi) and improvement of character. They taught the importance of harmony in the family, order in the state and peace in the empire, which they saw as inherently interdependent. Teachings emphasize a code of conduct, self-cultivation and propriety - and thus the attainment of social and national order. Stress is more on human duty and the ideal of the "superior man" than on a divine or supramundane Reality. Still, Confucius fasted, worshiped the ancestors, attended sacrifices and sought to live in harmony with Heaven. Confucianism is now enjoying a renaissance in China. TAOISM (pronounced "Dow-ism")Taoism is China's oldest indigenous religion. Dating from the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E. --- 220 A.D.), Its 81 chapters have been translated into English more times than any other Chinese document. It was founded and began 2, 500 years ago in China. The founder is Lao-tzu whom Confucius described as a dragon riding the wind and clouds. Their major scriptures are The Tao-te-Ching, or "Book of Reasons and Virtue," is among the shortest of all scriptures, containing only 5,000 words. Also central are the sacred wr...
