What are the characteristics of ancient religions in China?

1. Many religions coexist, and integration is greater than disputes.

The Chinese nation is a multi-ethnic integration and coexistence. China's traditional culture has also developed in the constant collision and blending of multi-cultures, forming the process of multi-integration and the structure of multi-integration.

China society is quite tolerant of different religious beliefs, including foreign religions. Various religions and their branches can exist and develop normally in this land and can live in peace. People can even believe in two or three religions at the same time. This kind of thing is unthinkable in the west.

2. Politics guides religion, and imperial power dominates religious power.

In the history of China, absolute monarchy has been practiced for a long time, and the country belongs to the monarch. In the transfer of power, the eldest son inheritance system is implemented, often with the reconciliation of brothers and sisters, the imperial edict of the first emperor and the consultation of royal ministers as auxiliary means.

The concept of respecting the monarch is profound and solid. Under this political and cultural tradition, all religious organizations must be attached to and serve the imperial power, and religious power is never allowed to be higher than the imperial power. China's kingship (imperial power) always occupies an absolute dominant position, and the theory of divine right of kingship makes the divine right of kingship and kingship achieve a perfect unity.

The supreme rulers of all previous dynasties claimed to be "emperors", and showed their supreme status through religious ceremonies such as offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, worshipping gods in the suburbs, sealing Mount Tai, and sealing father Liang of Zen, demanding that their subjects absolutely obey themselves and abide by feudal ethics, and regarded this as "destiny" and "justice".

3. Based on human reality, pay attention to secular society.

Politicians and thinkers of past dynasties attached importance to religion because of its function of promoting moral education and stabilizing social order, which was called "Shinto teaching". Don't pay special attention to the situation on the other side of the world and the liberation of individual souls. So traditional religions gradually integrated into social customs, political system and education system.

Under the strong influence of humanistic spirit tradition, Buddhism and Taoism also show the characteristics of secularization. Indian Buddhism is pessimistic and world-weary, denying the truth and value of real life and asking people to abandon secular life, become monks and get rid of nirvana. Taoism is reborn and hates death. Its basic belief is to pursue immortality, which is obviously different from Buddhism and Christianity's pursuit of happiness after death.

Extended data:

Since its birth, the traditional religion in China has had a far-reaching influence on the politics, philosophy, literature, art and other fields in ancient China. As a religion, its negative side can not be underestimated, but as a part of culture, it also has undeniable positive side. We can neither completely deny religion nor fully affirm it.

While criticizing the historical limitations of religion, we should affirm its position in China's traditional culture, absorb its ideological essence, make it inherit and innovate in the development of modern society, and play an active role in promoting human progress.