Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism: Chinese Popular Religion

John Green introduces a unique unboxing video featuring items like Kit Kats, Boo Berry cereal, rice cakes, Funyuns, ramen, rice wine, and paper money. This playful setup transitions into an exploration of religion in China. While 40% of Chinese adults believe in religious figures or deities and many burn incense for worship purposes regularly, only about 10% identify with a specific religion. The concept of "religion" is often seen as unusual due to decades-long suppression under Mao Zedong's leadership until his death in 1976 led to some relaxation but continued governmental control over religious practices.

During the seventh lunar month in China, ancestral spirits and malevolent ghosts are believed to roam the earth. To appease these spirits, people offer food like chips or wine, perform operas with reserved seats for invisible guests, and burn paper money as afterlife riches. Precautions include avoiding actions that attract ghosts—like wearing red or swimming—to prevent possession or harm by vengeful entities. The festival concludes with rituals to send the wandering spirits back home.

The Ghost Festival, deeply rooted in Chinese traditions, transcends singular religious affiliations. It draws from Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism—collectively known as the Three Teachings—which are not seen as competing but complementary forces shaping society. Unlike Western notions of religion that emphasize exclusive identification with one faith, Chinese culture integrates these teachings into its calendar and cultural practices seamlessly. Even those outside formal religious identities can partake in such festivals much like secular celebrations elsewhere.

Confucius' Teachings and Legacy Born in 551 BCE, Confucius was destined for greatness but only began sharing his ideas in his fifties. He emphasized filial piety (xiao), humaneness (ren), and ritual propriety (li) as principles to improve society. Despite resistance from leaders during his lifetime, he amassed thousands of students who preserved his teachings in the Analects. Under Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Confucianism became China's state ideology with institutions dedicated to its study.

Enduring Influence of Confucian Values Confucian values like li and xiao continue shaping Chinese culture through etiquette practices, honoring elders, and ancestor worship rituals such as those at home or temples. These traditions include public ceremonies during events like the Ghost Festival or pilgrimages to Confucian temples. While debated whether it is a religion or philosophy, some scholars view it as blending sacredness into secular life.

The Essence of Daoism and the Unknowable Dao Daoism, also known as Taoism, centers around "The Dao," an impersonal cosmic force that represents the mysterious source of all existence. The Daodejing, attributed to Laozi (likely a legendary figure), explores living in harmony with this unknowable essence through practices like yangsheng—techniques for nourishing life by enhancing qi flow via breathing, movement (e.g., qigong), and meditation. Its teachings emphasize understanding life's mysteries gradually while promoting longevity.

Rituals and Communal Practices in Daoist Tradition Daoist rituals include communal offerings led by priests at temples to renew connections with the Dao. Grand Offerings involve elaborate ceremonies spanning weeks where participants sing, dance, parade through streets leaving symbolic gifts like fruit or flowers while inviting ancestral spirits to join celebrations. Despite these religious-like activities being central to many lives in China’s cultural fabric today, most practitioners don’t identify explicitly as 'religious' or even label themselves 'Daoists.'

Chinese popular religion encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices, including burning incense, worshiping deities, offering to ghosts, and venerating ancestors. These traditions are deeply rooted in China's cultural heritage and have been passed down through generations. They often blend indigenous customs with other influences but may not always be recognized as "officially" religious by practitioners themselves. Despite its widespread practice among hundreds of millions in China, the term "popular religionist" is rarely used or identified with by individuals.

The Ghost Festival exemplifies the intertwined influence of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism in Chinese culture. While elements like family devotion hint at these traditions' presence, participants rarely identify strictly with any one philosophy or religion. Instead of adhering to a single tradition's framework, people embrace connections to all three without exclusive commitment.