In China and Japan Philosophy and religion are not two separate pursuits

Unique about religion in the orient is that people are more than one religion without any conflicts. Oriental religions are complementary rather than mutually exclusive. A person might be both Buddhist and Confucian or Taoist and Confucian or all three, each serving a different function in one�s life.

China�s concerns are practical, down to earth. The questions of concern are "How can we achieve longevity?" "How can we get along better in our relationships with others?" "How should a good ruler lead the people?" The emphasis is on harmony, social relationships and practical application of underlying metaphysical concepts. Chinese philosophy and religion is world and life affirming (unlike India which seeks release from material existence).

Three strands of religion/philosophy in China (in addition to imported Buddhism):

• Folk religion: focus on the natural spirit world, the world of the dead and their spirits, on divination and fortune telling

• Confucianism: based on the teachings of Confucius (551-479 BCE) which provides a model for proper social behavior (morals and ethics)

• Taoism: based on the teachings of Lao Tzu (6^th cent. BCE) which provides the model for individual behavior (in harmony with the cosmos)