Deck 6: Daoism and Confucianism

Question 1

Daoism and Confucianism flourished principally in __________.

Answer 1

China

Question 2

The distinctively Japanese religion is called __________.

Answer 2

Shinto

Question 3

In ancient Chinese belief, the highest god who rued over weather, crops, battles, and health was called __________.

Answer 3

Shangdi

Question 4

According to ancient Chinese tradition, the cosmos is a manifestation of an impersonal self-generating energy known as __________.

Question 5

The common religious text for Confucianism and Daoism, the I Ching, is known in English as __________.

Question 6

The two most salient texts of the classic Daoist tradition are called the __________ and __________.

Question 7

When asked to define the essentials of strong government, Confucius stated the only true essential is that __________.

Question 8

The model of a noble person in ancient Chinese civilization was known as a __________.

Question 9

__________ was the follower of Confucius who disagreed with the belief in the goodness of human nature.

Question 10

The belief in practicing Confucianism because Buddhism and Daoism brought moral weakness to society is called __________.

Question 11

Sacred rituals that are especially important in the veneration of ancestors are called __________.

A) li
B) qi
C) wu
D) wei

Question 12

The creative rhythm of the universe is called the __________.

A) Yang
B) Dao
C) Yin
D) Ch'i

Question 13

A major theme of Daoism is __________.

A) harmony with nature
B) the warrior king
C) salvation through confession
D) morality through civil service

Question 14

The practice that helps one determine the harmonious placement of a building or objects is known as __________.

A) Divination
B) Zhuangzi
C) Weu Wei
D) Feng Shui

Question 15

Which of the following martial arts is associated with Daoism?

A) Karate
B) Judo
C) Taijiquan
D) Tae Kwan Do

Question 16

Which of the following was the given name for the individual known commonly as Confucius?

A) Laozi
B) Mao Zedong
C) Jet Li
D) Kong Fuzi

Question 17

The Confucian virtue ren basically means

A) innate goodness
B) chaos
C) truth
D) filial piety

Question 18

A little over one hundred years after Confucius died, a "Second Sage" named __________ was born.

A) Mani
B) Mengzi
C) Rishi
D) Junzi

Question 19

Ancestor veneration is an important feature of ancient Chinese religious traditions.

Question 20

The yang principle represents the dark, receptive, female aspect.

Question 21

Some scholars question whether Laozi ever existed.

Question 22

The deity known as the "Consort of Heaven" is more popularly called Ma-tsu (Grandma).

Question 23

Daoists undertake individual spiritual practices for the sake of inner transformation and perhaps immortality.

Question 24

Today, Chinese temples combine Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist elements, but the liturgies tend to be Daoist.

Question 25

As in many religions, Daoist nuns are considered to be of lesser spiritual status than Daoist monks.

Question 26

Women in traditional Confucian society were expected to take up a subordinate role in family and society, characterized by self-sacrifice.

Question 27

Under the establishment of the communist Chinese regime in 1949, Confucianism was attacked as one of the "Four Olds."

Question 28

Business conducted according to Confucian ethics is known as Capitalist Confucianism.

Question 29

Nations such as Singapore and Korea have largely rejected Confucian teachings as authentic.

Question 30

Confucianism understands the cultivation of one's inner virtues as both a personal duty and also a duty to the state. From a Confucian perspective, explain how a person's religious virtues help to shape and strengthen society as a whole. Do you think this is a viable model for people in society today?

Question 31

Daoist thought understands the universe as characterized by the interchange of the complementary principles of the yin and yang. In this model, seeming opposites are balanced and held together as aspects of an inseparable whole. What are the implications of this thought for seemingly dichotomous aspects of human experience, such as good and evil or life and death? Give an example of how a Daoist might allow this philosophy to guide his or her understanding of something joyful or sorrowful that has happened.

Question 32

Chinese religious traditions have historically held massive influence on political life and government. Explain why this is the case, and give examples of modern Chinese attitudes toward the role of religion in political life. What are the pros and cons of justifying political power with religious authority?