A study of Chinese traditional patriarchal religion

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe present study poses a question of whether or not in Chinese history there was an orthodox religion accepted by all strata of society that would last for several thousand years, and gives an affirmative answer to this question, arguing that this was Chinese traditional patriarchal religion (Zhongguo zongfaxing chuantong zongjiao 中國宗法性傳統宗教). The core of Chinese traditional patriarchal religion was the worship of heavenly deities and ancestors, followed by the worship of Deities of Land and Grain, the Sun and the Moon, spirits of mountains and rivers and other natural objects and complemented by the worship of other supernatural beings. Chinese traditional patriarchal religion developed a rather stable system of sacrificial practices that included sacrifices to Deities of Heaven and Land, ancestors and other spirits and deities. These sacrificial ceremonies became an important part of traditional customs and rituals of Chinese patriarchal society. They constituted a spiritual force that maintained social and family order and were a source of spiritual comfort for Chinese people. Without gaining a good understanding of Chinese traditional patriarchal religion, it would be difficult to grasp the distinguishing cultural features of the Chinese nation as a whole and to understand the Chinese spirit of many foreign religions that came into and transformed in China.