Philosophy and Religion

Three large ancient Buddha statues are carved into a rock cliff, with greenery in the foreground and a small structure to the right—echoing the cultural legacy of the Silk Road.

Yale Silk Road Database | Yale University Library

This collection includes 11,000+ images of major sites along the Silk Road taken between 2006-2010. These photographs take the viewer on a trip through multiple Chinese provinces and the regions of Inner Mongolia and Tibet to map out the modern-day Silk Road that was shaped by the interconnected web of trade routes linking medieval Asia.

Teacher Resource
A row of traditional metal lanterns hangs from the ceiling of a corridor in a Japanese Shinto shrine with red-orange pillars and railings, capturing the spiritual ambiance described in the World History Encyclopedia’s Shinto introduction.

Shinto: An Introduction (Lesson Pack) – World History Encyclopedia

Shinto: An Introduction is a lesson plan for History classes that enables educators to teach about Shinto—the oldest religion in Japan—through its beliefs, values, and rituals. This resource, provided by the World History Encyclopedia, offers a complete lesson plan, activities, homework, assignments, and answer keys, altogether providing everything needed to make understanding Shinto accessible to students. The lesson itself covers Shinto’s gods and core beliefs, its application to everyday life, and classroom ethics teachings on values and accountability. This informative and engaging resource is available for free download as a PDF or Microsoft Word document.

Lesson Plan
A stone statue of a robed figure, possibly Confucius, stands outdoors before dense leafy trees. This black and white image evokes the ethos of Confucianism and can enhance Asia for Educators class materials.

Class Materials over Confucianism | Asia for Educators

This curated collection from Asia for Educators gathers a wide range of teaching materials on Confucianism. One highlight is the Confucianism lesson plan, which provides strategies for getting students to think more broadly about applying Confucian ideas—fostering both historical understanding and critical thinking. Another useful resource is the DBQs featuring selections from The Analects, which offer accessible primary sources alongside thoughtful discussion prompts that help students engage deeply with Confucian values.

Teacher Resource
A large crowd gathers at night in front of an ornate, illuminated temple gate in Taiwan, surrounding a decorated boat and holding up phones to take photos, celebrating the vibrant religious traditions at the Heart of Asia.

Religion | Taiwan the Heart of Asia

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.  

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Stone statue of a seated man with a long beard and traditional hat, resting his chin on one hand with scrolls beside him—an image evoking the deep contemplation found in Legalism and ancient philosophy, set outdoors with trees in the background.

Legalism | Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

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.

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A statue of a figure in traditional robes holding a yin-yang symbol, seated in an ornate shrine decorated with flowers and gold accents, reflects the influence of Daoism celebrated by Asia Society.

Daoism | Asia Society

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. 

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A stone statue of a Chinese figure in traditional attire and headwear stands in front of lush green willow tree branches, reflecting the values of Confucianism often explored at Asia Society.

Confucianism | Asia Society

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. 

Teacher Resource
An old Chinese book, possibly Han Feizi’s The Five Vermin, is displayed open under warm lighting, showing traditional vertical Chinese text on aged, yellowed pages—perfect for an Asia for Educators exhibit.

Selections from the Han Feizi: Chapter 49, “The Five Vermin” | Asia for Educators

This excerpt introduces students to Legalist political thought through “The Five Vermin,” a chapter from the Han Feizi, a foundational Legalist text attributed to Han Fei (d. 233 BCE). A former student of the Confucian philosopher Xunzi, Han Fei rejected Confucian ideals in favor of a more pragmatic, authoritarian approach to governance. His writings reflect a systematic synthesis of Legalist and Daoist ideas, emphasizing strict laws and centralized power. This chapter criticizes social groups seen as harmful to the state, offering valuable insight into Legalist critiques of Confucianism and the ideological tensions of early Chinese political philosophy.

Primary Source
Ancient Chinese painting depicting three men in traditional robes and hats, possibly referencing the Debate on Salt and Iron, standing together against a textured background.

A Record of the Debate on Salt
and Iron | Asia for Educators

This translated excerpt from A Record of the Debate on Salt and Iron presents arguments made during a government debate on fiscal policy under the Western Han dynasty. Held in 81 BCE in the court of Emperor Zhao, the debate featured state officials—led by Lord Grand Secretary Sang Hongyang—and Confucian scholars who challenged the economic policies of Emperor Wu, especially the government monopolies on salt and iron. This primary source offers insight into early Chinese governance, Confucian political thought, and economic philosophy.

Primary Source
A traditional painting of an elderly man with a long beard, wearing a blue head covering and robes, holding a small object—a serene portrait reminiscent of figures found in the Analects of Confucius.

The Analects of Confucius 論語 | Translated by A. Charles Muller

This digital edition of The Analects, translated by A. Charles Muller, provides open-access English translations of one of the most foundational texts in East Asian thought. The Analects is a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his disciples, offering insights into ethics, government, education, and proper conduct that have shaped Chinese and East Asian societies for centuries. Translator A. Charles Muller is Director of the Institute of Buddhist Culture at Musashino University in Tokyo and formerly taught at the University of Tokyo. His work focuses on East Asian philosophy, Buddhist studies, and digital humanities.

Primary Source
A large red torii gate, a symbol of Shinto, stands in the water near shore, with city buildings and forested mountains in the background.

Encyclopedia of Shinto | Kokugakuin University

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.

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