2. The background of Modern business culture and etiquette.
For nearly two thousand years Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism has molded and shaped the civilization of China and exerted a profound influence upon almost one fourth of human race.
• 3. Chinese arts and crafts: Painting, operas, embroidery, china and martial arts
• 4. Chinese cuisine.
2. Modern Business Culture & Etiquette.
1. Why should we know Chinese culture?
2.1 Relationship (Guanxi)
• “Guanxi” literally means "relationships“, stands for any type of relationship. Chinese people care more about the social relationship than commercial relationship in doing the business: “Guanxi” means one will be quick to do a favor, do anything necessary for the other party: "You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours."
• It is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought that has had tremendous influence on the culture and history of East Asia.
6th Century AD
To 2010 To 2010
2500 years 1500 years
The Leading Figures
Confucianism
Confucius
Taoism
Lao Zi
Buddhism
Shakyamuni
1.1 Confucianism
• Confucianism (儒家; pinyin: Rújiā) is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of Confucius (Kǒng Fūzǐ, lit. "Master Kong", 551–478 BC).
Confucius
Teachings of Confucianism
Ren 仁 (benevolence, love) & Li 礼 (rites)---respect for the system of social hierarchy.
• The basic clou of Confucianism stresses the importance of the individual moral development, so that the state can be governed by moral virtue rather than by the laws.
Journey to The West
Teachings of the Buddha
Life is filled with suffering. Suffering is caused by people’s wants.
• Buddhism promotes code of conduct in life. That is what they call Five Precepts of avoiding killing, stealing, indulging, lying and alcohol drinking. It leads to self-understanding.
Painting, operas, embroidery, china and martial arts
1. Religion and Philosophy
• China has an approximately 4100-year recorded history. ( From the endless
1.2 Taoism
• Laozi (老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ;) was a philosopher of China around 6th century B.C. and is a central figure in Taoism.
• Laozi literally means "Old Master" and is generally considered• Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Shakyamuni (Gautama), commonly known as the Buddha.
their own customs.
Too many culture elements!
Brief Contents
• 1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy:
Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism
• 2. Modern business culture & etiquette. • 3. Chinese cuisine. • 4. Chinese arts and crafts:
•Taoism is the Chinese religion which believes in ghosts and spirits. It emphasized cooperation with the natural forces.
Lao Zi
Teachings of Taoism
Wu wei (无为; pinyin: wúwéi) is a central concept in Taoism. The literal meaning of wu wei is "without action". It is often expressed by the paradox wei wu wei, meaning "action without action" or "effortless doing".
A. China is becoming a economic powerhouse. B. Commercial activity is not merely the exchange and cooperation
based on economic benefits, it is also the collision and communicating between different cultures that each side has. C. Every person is grown in a particular culture, learning the “right way” of doing things .
King of Monkey
Brief Contents
• 1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy: Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism
• 2. Modern business culture & etiquette. Relactionship (Guanxi), Face (Lian)
• Golden mean (philosophy): the felicitous middle between the extremes of excess and deficiency “ Rid the two ends, take the middle one.”
• Relationships are central to Confucianism. Particular duties arise from one's special situation in relation to others.
Explore the Chinese Culture
Let’ s learn together !
Eric Li
What is Culture Definition ?
• Some conceive of culture as separating humans from non-humans. • Some define it as communicable knowledge. • Some as the sum of historical achievements produced by man’s social life. • In a word: culture is learned, shared, and transmitted from the generation to
the next.
Chinese Culture Overview