This guide by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau discusses the many beliefs present within the country, a brief history of religion in Taiwan, and complementary images that display the beauty and originality of religious practices in Taiwanese culture.
This resource from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy provides an overview of Legalism. Legalism became popular in the latter half of the Warring States period as a representation of the teachings and beliefs of the scholars Han Fei, Shen Buhai, and Shang Yang. The goal of these legalists was to attain “a rich state and a powerful army” and to focus on the stability of the government and the people in such a turbulent time as the Warring States period. The basis of legalism was the belief that humans are inherently selfish, and shouldn’t be expected to act morally and abstain from coveting wealth and power. Instead, legalists believed that commoners and elites alike should be allowed to strive for wealth and fame in ways that benefitted the state, such as agricultural pursuits and warfare. Legalism, along with Daoism and Confucianism, is one of China’s foundational philosophies.
This article from the Asia Society provides helpful context and key text references on the subject of Daoism/Taoism. Daoism originated in the 5th century B.C.E. from the teachings of Laozi and his classic text, the Dao De Jing. The basis of this philosophy was connection with nature, a life of simplicity, and a spiritual approach to the universe. Daoism, along with Confucianism and Legalism, is one of the philosophies that has shaped China for thousands of years and represents an integral part of Chinese history.
This resource from Asia Society provides a brief overview of Confucianism. Confucianism was established between the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. by its founder known as Kongzi (Confucius, 551-479 BCE.) whose intention was to reinterpret the undefined Zhou religion. The basis of this social and ethical philosophy was tradition, defined roles within relationships, and mutual obligations. Confucianism is one of the philosophies that has shaped China for thousands of years and represents an integral part of Chinese history.
From Asia Society: “Curriculum and related frameworks (conceptual underpinnings or guiding principles for curriculum design), as well as materials, instruction, and assessment aligned with strong curricula—are critical components of effective Chinese language education. CELIN staff have had conversations with leaders in the Chinese language field in the United States about this issue, and we have collected a strong set of available resources.”
Asia for Educators, at Columbia University’s Weatherhead East Asia Institute, has compiled a collection of resources for K-5 teachers. This collection is centered around China and offers resources for a wide variety of subjects: geography, language, culture, history, science, math, literature, arts & crafts, and drama & music.
This article highlights the educational value of The Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en (1592) and provides strategies for teaching it in the classroom. The novel presents an exciting story while engaging with topics such as Daoism, Buddhism, and the Silk Road, which deeply influenced the Tang dynasty and continue to shape the world today.
Here you can access three free and informative videos from expert Sara Schneewind. These videos, titled “Ming Voyages in China’s History: The Truth about the Maritime Expeditions Led by Zheng He of the Ming Dynasty,” “Easternization (not “Westernization”): Modernity is a Global Formation,” and “Footbinding: Confronting the Very Strange” are each designed to increase your understanding of Chinese history. Each video presentation also comes with 2 Professional Development Hours. To participate, sign in or register an account on the program site.
This is a comprehensive and scholarly online resource created by Kokugakuin University, one of Japan’s leading institutions for Shinto and Japanese religious studies. The Encyclopedia of Shinto provides in-depth, English-language entries on Shinto concepts, rituals, deities (kami), festivals, and historical development. It also includes images and primary source materials. The site is ideal for educators and students seeking academic-level content supported by Japan based scholarship.
This module from UC Berkeley examines how key features of Shinto shrine architecture—such as torii gates, honden (main halls), and natural settings—reflect core spiritual values like harmony with nature, purification, and reverence for kami. Designed to support classroom use, it includes background readings, visual materials, and discussion prompts that help students analyze how sacred architecture expresses religious and cultural meaning. It is especially valuable for teachers seeking to integrate visual learning and cross-cultural analysis into their lessons.
