Confucianism - Filial Piety in Chinese Religion Essay -- Philosophy Es

Filial Piety in Chinese ReligionFilial piety was an integral part of Chinese nuance and therefore was embraced by three of Chinas main religions Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Among the three, Confucianism, with its well documented social hierarchy, supported the ideals of filial piety the most. Buddhism and Daoism also supported filial piety in some of their texts, but had monastic systems that prevented monks and nuns from being filial children.The term filial piety refers to the extreme reward that Chinese children are supposed to show their parents. It involves galore(postnominal) different things including taking care of the parents, burying them right on aft(prenominal) death, bringing honor to the family, and having a male heir to carry on the family name (Brians 1). Practicing these ideals is a very important part of Chinese culture. Therefore, one would expect that filial piety would be incorporated into the major religions of China as it has been.The ideal of resp ecting and behaving properly towards ones parents fits perfectly with Confucianisms ideal of respecting and behaving properly towards all elders. Confucius himself addressed the subject in the AnalectsWhen your father is alive observe his intentions. When he is deceased, model yourself on the reminiscence of his behavior. If in three years after his death you have not deviated from your fathers ways, then you may be considered a filial child. (Confucian Teachings 20).According to Confucius, respect to ones father while he is alive is a given -- something that even animals do. But, to be a filial child, one must respect his parents even after their death. Confucius goes on to cite further specific examples of what a filial son should do for his parents. Am... ...oist monk can not be a filial son. whole kit and caboodle CitedBrians, Paul. Examples of Filial Piety. 1998. Washington State Univ. 23 Feb 2003. Brians, Paul. Examples of Filial Piety. 1998. Washington State Univ. 23 Feb 20 03. <http//www.wsu.edu8080/wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_1/filial.htmlHallisey, Charles. Auspicious Things. Religions of Asia in Practice. Ed. Donald S. Lopez, Jr. Princeton Princeton Univ. Press, 2002. 237-251.Book of Rewards and Punishments. Chinese Civilization A Sourcebook. Ed. Patricia Buckley Ebrey. New York The reconcile Press, 1993. 142-145.Confucian Teachings. Chinese Civilization A Sourcebook. Ed. Patricia Buckley Ebrey. New York The Free Press, 1993. 17-26.Precepts of the Perfect Truth Daoist Sect. Chinese Civilization A Sourcebook. Ed. Patricia Buckley Ebrey. New York The Free Press, 1993. 146-150.