Chinese Philosophy & Religion

Confucianism

Principles of Confucianism Confucianism had been regarded as an ethic-political system in ancient China. For more than thousand years it has moulded and shaped the civilization of China and exerted a profound influenced upon almost one fourth of the human race.   Confucianism has left us a rich literary heritage knows as the Four Books and Five Classics: The Great Learning, The Mean, Analects, and Mencius; Book of Change, Book of History, Book of Odes, Book of Rites and Spring an... More

Buddhism in China

Introduction of Buddhism The coming of Buddhism to China from Indian was a great event in the development of Chinese culture and of Buddhism itself. After a long period of assimilation, it established itself as a major system of thought as well as a religious practice, contributing greatly to the enrichment of Chinese philosophy and exercising and enduring influence on the Chinese popular religion and on the mind and character of the Chinese people. Indeed, it becomes one of the Three P... More

Taoism

Foundation and Spread of Taoism Taoism is indigenous to China. Together with Confucianism, it has exerted great influence on the mind of Chinese people, as well as on the political, economic and cultural life of the country. In many ways the doctrines of Confucianism and Taoism complement each other, running side by side like two powerful streams through later Chinese thought and literature.   As a religion, Taoism was firstly known as the Five Piculs of Rice Sect, founded in the... More

Islam in China

Islam was introduced to China via the Silk Road by Arabs from Tang Dynasty since China was highly tolerant of new religions and Chinese contact with foreign envoys flourished during that period. Although some believe that Islam may have arrived in China during the Sui Dynasty, the first official record of Islam's arrival in China occurred during the Tang Dynasty.  History of Islam in China Uthman ibn Affan, the third Caliph of Ummah, sent the first official Muslim envoy to China... More

Protestantism & Christianism in China

Protestantism in China Protestant missionaries first appeared in the early 19th century. Protestantism took a dominant position in Europe and was entering China. The period from 1807 to 1842 was the time Protestantism began its dissemination in China. Quite a number of missionary churches, including London Missionary Society, Dutch Reformed Church, American Baptist Association, American Church Mission, Church Missionary Society, Protestant Episcopal Church and so on, began their activit... More