Lesson Four Chinese Religion and Philosophy

UCLA Center for East Asian Studies Educational Resources

Lesson Four,
Chinese Religion and Philosophy

Objectives: Students will be able to explain the major tenets of the major religions/philosophies in China, and apply them to realistic modern situations they would be placed in.

Materials: Handouts on the Three Doctrines, handout of student questions.

Focus: How would people from different philosophical backgrounds respond in certain situations?

Time

Teacher Procedure
Student Activity

2 min. Briefly introduce the idea that China's "religions" have a more profound effect on their society than America's religions have here, and are thus sometimes referred to as philosophies. Tell students they will be learning the basics (by no means is this a thorough study) of the major Chinese philosophies. Listen.

20 min. Call on volunteers to read Three Doctrines handout. Explain as needed. Read about Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism.

20 min. Break students into pairs. Have them write out responses to the seven questions, from the point of view of a Confucianist, Taoist, and Buddhist. Role play, respond to situations.

Assessment: Read student responses to see if they ft in with how a Confucianist, Taoist, and Buddhist would act in the situations.

Japanese and Chinese Index

Time	Teacher Procedure	Student Activity
2 min.	Briefly introduce the idea that China's "religions" have a more profound effect on their society than America's religions have here, and are thus sometimes referred to as philosophies. Tell students they will be learning the basics (by no means is this a thorough study) of the major Chinese philosophies.	Listen.
20 min.	Call on volunteers to read Three Doctrines handout. Explain as needed.	Read about Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism.
20 min.	Break students into pairs. Have them write out responses to the seven questions, from the point of view of a Confucianist, Taoist, and Buddhist.	Role play, respond to situations.