Religion in Japan
Most people in China would not call themselves religious. However, many still follow old traditions that are found in Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.
Buddhism
Buddhism arrived in China, from India, about 2,000 years ago. Buddhism in China is split into three: Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Southern Buddhism. Like writing Buddhism spread to Japan from China. There are lots of temples and statues around the country.
Buddhism arrived in China, from India, about 2,000 years ago. Buddhism in China is split into three: Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Southern Buddhism. Like writing Buddhism spread to Japan from China. There are lots of temples and statues around the country.
Potala Palace
Jade Buddha Temple
The Longmen Grottoes
There are around 100,000 statues here. A lot of historical information about art, music, religion, calligraphy, medicine, clothes and architecture are stored here.
There are around 100,000 statues here. A lot of historical information about art, music, religion, calligraphy, medicine, clothes and architecture are stored here.
Pagodas
Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Pagoda)
The legend of this pagoda says that one day some monks could not find any meat to buy. One of the monks looked up into the sky just as a flock of wild geese flew overhead. He said a prayer hoping that Bodhisattva would provide some meat for them to eat. Just then one of the geese fell to the ground with a broken wing. The monks built a pagoda where the goose fell. From then on they swore that they would never eat meat again. |
Temple of Soul's Retreat (Lingyin Temple)
The Shaolin Temple
This temple is in Dengfeng City in the Henan Province. It is here that Shaolin Martial Arts began.
This temple is in Dengfeng City in the Henan Province. It is here that Shaolin Martial Arts began.
Confucianism
Confucianism was not really a religion but was rather a guide for how one should live.
Confucius was a philosopher, teacher and politician. His philosophy, known as Confucianism, emphasized how people should behave. This covered their personal relationships. He also spoke about how governments should behave in a moral way. He said that those in power should be just. |
They hang red wooden plates with lucky words on them in the temple in the hopes of getting good marks.
Taoism
Taoism is based on the balance between human beings and nature. Yin and yang are also part of the Tao philosophy. Everything has both yin and yang in them. Yin and yang are considered complimentary. An example of this would be light and shadow. You cannot have shadow without light.
Taoism is based on the balance between human beings and nature. Yin and yang are also part of the Tao philosophy. Everything has both yin and yang in them. Yin and yang are considered complimentary. An example of this would be light and shadow. You cannot have shadow without light.
Feng Shui is the tradition of arranging ones surroundings in such a way that there is harmony between them and nature. It is closely related to Taoism. People who practice Feng Shui place things carefully. They want to make sure that there is a positive flow of energy through their homes and where they work.
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The Temple of Heaven
Islam
Christianity