Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
universe operates, so it can be understood to be a universal or cosmic prin-
ciple.
Confucianism
Confucianism is based upon the teachings of Confucius (Kongzi), a 6th cen-
tury BC philosopher who lived during a period of constant warfare and social
upheaval. While Confucianism changed considerably throughout the centuries,
some of the principal ideas remained the same - namely an emphasis on five
basic hierarchical relationships: father-son, ruler-subject, husband-wife, elder-
younger and friend-friend. Confucius believed that if each individual carried out
his or her proper role in society (ie a son served his father respectfully while a
father provided for his son, a subject served his ruler respectfully while a ruler
provided for his subject, and so on) social order would be achieved. Confucius'
disciples later gathered his ideas in the form of short aphorisms and conversa-
tions, forming the work known as
The Analects
(Lunyu).
Christianity
Christianity first arrived in China with the Nestorians, a sect from ancient Per-
sia which spilt with the Byzantine Church in AD 431, who arrived in China via
the Silk Road in the 7th century. A celebrated tablet in Xi'an's Forest of Stelae
Museum (
Click here
) records their arrival. Much later, in the 16th century, the
Jesuits arrived and were popular figures at the imperial court, although they
made few converts.
Some estimates point to as many as 100 million Christians in China.
However, the exact population is hard to calculate as many groups - outside
of the four official Christian organisations - lead a strict underground existence
(in what are called 'house churches') out of fear of a political clampdown.
Islam
Islam (Yisilan Jiao) in China dates to the 7th century, when it was first brought
to China by Arab and Persian traders along the Silk Road. Later, during the
Mongol Yuan dynasty, maritime trade increased, bringing new waves of mer-
