Modern China Religion

Modern China Religion Social Context

Before dissecting the religions of imperial and modern China, it is helpful to recognize the social context in which these religions spread, flourished, and even suffered. Chinese history is often categorized within the Dynastic Cycle, a tool used by historians to define the rise and fall of Chinese dynasties, and the periods of chaotic war sandwiched in between.

The influence of religions in China were inextricably tied to the welfare of the Chinese state. Sometimes, religions would grow in prominence during periods of war; such were the beginnings of Confucianism, while other religions were suppressed during dynastical rules, such as Christianity during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Fig 2: Photograph of terracotta soldiers of the famous Chinese Terracotta Army.

Beyond the Dynastic Cycle, Chinese history is one of northern invasion and intrusive colonization. From the Mongols to the Manchurians and the British, hordes of invaders have brought their own religions into mainland China, forcefully impacting the development of Chinese society.

Modern China Religion History

The official religion of modern-day China is atheism, but the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) recognizes five major religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism. These religions, as well as Confucianism, have fascinating stories within Imperial Chinese history.

Fig 3: Art depicting key figures of Chinese religion. From left to right: Shakyamuni (the Buddha), Lao Tzu (Taoism), and Confucius (Confucianism).

Taoism in Modern China Religion

Founded by 6th century philosopher Lao Tzu, Taosim (or Daoism), was a spiritual philosophy of inaction and nonresistance. Taoism places great emphasis on the importance and power of nature, informing its followers to study nature instead of wasting their time worrying about the affairs of politicians, governments, and human-created organizations. Formulated from the teachings of ancient Chinese folk religions and beliefs, Taoism draws its core spiritual essence from the concept of Tao, meaning "way".

Taoism fell behind other religions such as Confucianism and Buddhism, instead acting as the foundation for the success of later religions, but it remained a dominant presence in culture throughout all of Chinese history. Taoism suffered its greatest setbacks during the 13th to 14th century Mongol Yuan Dynasty but rebounded and is still practiced today.

Confucianism in Modern China Religion

During the sixth and fifth centuries BC, another philosopher named Kong Fu Zi, or Confucius, came to prominence. Claiming himself to be a "transmitter who invented nothing", Confucius sought to adapt Taoism into a more practical philosophy. Whereas Lao Tzu urged his followers to turn away from the politics and society, Confucius faced those same problems head on. Using traditional Chinese spiritual beliefs as the basis, Confucius advocated for ideas such as filial piety, the virtue of caring for one's parents, and humanism within a social context.

Confucius proposed the organization of society as the organization of the fundamental family unit; a leader (father) at the head, with the nation (family) subservient to him. Confucianism formed the basis of the civil service examinations, Chinese imperial exams that dictated who could serve in government offices. Starting with the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), and really kicking off with the Song Dynasty (960-1127 CE), Confucianism remained the core religious philosophy of Chinese elite leading into the modern era.

Indian Religions in Modern China Religion

Siddhārtha Gautama was a 5th century BC spiritual leader born in India. Also known as Shakyamuni, or Buddha, Siddhārtha founded the Buddhist religion and kick-started its spread across Eurasia. It is first believed that Buddhism came to China in the 1st century CE during the reign of Han Dynasty, developing a following as the Mahayana school of Buddhist thought.

By tying Buddhist ideology into the fundamental beliefs of Taoism, Buddhist monks rapidly spread their religion throughout East Asia. Buddhism sometimes faced persecution on the pretenses that it was a foreign religion, but it generally remained as a dominant religion in Imperial China's history, officially promoted in various forms through the courts of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. In a 2016 poll, 15.87% of Chinese citizens identified as Buddhist practitioners.

Abrahamic Religions in Modern China Religion

The Abrahamic religions of Islam and Christianity (later divided between Catholicism and Protestantism) also became mainstays in Imperial China, though to a lesser degree than the previously mentioned religions. The first Islamic Mosque was built in 627 CE in Guangzhou, under the rule of the Tang Dynasty, while the first Christian church was built in Xi'an just a few decades later.

Fig 4: Photograph of a mosque in Langzhou, China.

The two major Abrahamic religions flourished during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and Islam would soon find hold among Ming Dynasty courts, exemplified by the Islamic eunuch admiral Zheng He who traveled from China to Mecca and South Africa, and every point in between. Christian missionary Matteo Ricci served in Chinese courts and utilized the same evangelizing tactics of Buddhist priests by merging Christianity with Confucian and Taoist traditions, much to the disapproval of the Catholic Church.

Modern China Religion Beliefs

From the Medieval Era to modern times, world religions have found a permanent home in China. Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhist, Islam, and Christianity all influenced Chinese culture, telling stories of globalization in lands distant from their homelands and of ancient traditions finding purchase in the minds of people thousands of years after their creation.