The official religion in China was born during the fall of the Zhou Dynasty. In the 5-3 centuries BC, a strong and powerful state turned into a handful of feudal principalities, constantly fighting each other. The lower classes, coming out of obedience, boiled like a cauldron with boiling water, and in this "boiling water" hundreds of religions and teachings were born. Subsequently, the collection of these philosophical ideas became known as the "One Hundred Schools." However, only two teachings survived and took root - Confucianism and Taoism. Over time, these two schools became the basis of China's social and religious worldview. Taoism can be considered the religion of China, while the teachings of Confucius control the social life of the Chinese. Thus, these philosophical schools harmoniously complement each other, for already 2, 000 years defining the consciousness and behavior of millions of people.
Confucianism is named after its founder, Kung Fu-tzu. Thanks to Christian missionaries, this name began to sound like "Confucius." Confucius lived in 551-470 BC, when the way of Chinese society changed from patriarchal to bureaucratic. Confucianism and Taoism, supporting the spiritual realm, helped prevent anarchy and save the Chinese state from complete collapse. The teaching of Confucius is based on achieving harmony between the world and people. Confucius did not touch religion, focusing his attention on human life. She was controlled by five types of relationships based on the principle of “filial piety”, which to this day lies at the heart of Chinese culture.
An honorable place in Confucianism was given to various rituals. They were collected in a kind of "code of laws", which every Chinese should follow. Without observing the principles of Confucianism, a person could not make a career in public service. Instead of worshipers, ceremonies in Confucianism were performed by the head of the family, senior officials and the emperor, and the cult of the state was equated with the cult of Heaven. Thus, both Confucianism and Taoism completely controlled the life of the Chinese people.
Taoism was born from the teachings of the semi-legendary Lao Tzu. He outlined the foundations of his teaching in the holy book "Tao de jing." Lao Tzu saw the meaning and purpose of human life in immortality, which is achieved through asceticism and self-concentration. An ascetic leading a righteous life becomes a Tao man - an eternal reality, divine and creative principle. A manifestation of Tao in real life, De is considered the nature of things. Taoist never intervenes in De or tries to change him. Taoism, whose main ideas are in three concepts - love, humility and moderation - preaches the "principle of non-interference." Inaction is the main rule and foundation of Taoist life. He refuses any attempts to change the world and his own life and indulges in complete self-elimination.
As in Confucianism, in Taoism there is also an ideal of the state. In Taoists, this is a small country that does not wage war, does not trade with its neighbors, and whose social and spiritual life is based on the principle of non-action. In China, these ideas more than once became the cause of popular riots and revolutions. An ideal person in Taoism is considered to be a hermit who has devoted himself to achieving immortality. Over time, Taoism was divided into two conventional parts - philosophical and religious, which have significant differences. The religious part includes various superstitions and faith in magic. It was from her that such directions as astrology and feng shui came out. The spiritual centers of Taoism are numerous monasteries.
For centuries, Confucianism and Taoism have successfully opposed Buddhism. Supporting and complementing each other, these teachings formed that mysterious and incomprehensible China that has survived to this day.
