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God Worshipping Society
The God Worshipping Society () was a polytheistic and nationalistic popular-religious movement founded and led by Hong Xiuquan under the influence of Protestant Christianity and combined it with Chinese folk religion, based on the faith in Shangdi ("Highest/Primordial God"), and other religious traditions. According to historical evidence, his first contact with Christian pamphlets occurred in 1836 when he directly received American Congregationalist missionary Edwin Stevens' personal copy of the '' Good Words to Admonish the Age'' (by Liang Fa, 1832). He only briefly looked over and did not carefully examine it. Subsequently, Hong claimed to have experienced mystical visions in the wake of his third failure of the imperial examinations in 1837 and after failing for a fourth time in 1843, he sat down to carefully examine the tracts with his distant cousin Feng Yunshan, believing that they were "the key to interpreting his visions" coming to the conclusion that he wa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hong Xiuquan
Hong Xiuquan (1 January 1814 – 1 June 1864), born Hong Huoxiu and with the courtesy name Renkun, was a Chinese revolutionary and religious leader who led the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing dynasty. He established the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom over large portions of southern China, with himself as its "Heavenly King". Born into a Hakka family in Guangzhou, Hong claimed to have experienced mystical visions after failing the imperial examinations. He came to believe that his celestial father, whom he saw in the visions, was God the Father, his celestial elder brother was Jesus Christ, and he had been directed to rid the world of demon worship. He rejected Confucianism and began propagating a fusion of Christianity, Daoism and millenarianism, which Hong presented as a restoration of the ancient Chinese faith in Shangdi. His associate Feng Yunshan then founded the God Worshipping Society to spread Hong's teachings. By 1850, Hong's sect had over 10,000 followers and incre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Imperial Examinations
The imperial examination was a civil service examination system in Imperial China administered for the purpose of selecting candidates for the state bureaucracy. The concept of choosing bureaucrats by merit rather than by birth started early in Chinese history, but using written examinations as a tool of selection started in earnest during the Sui dynasty (581–618), then into the Tang dynasty (618–907). The system became dominant during the Song dynasty (960–1279) and lasted for almost a millennium until its abolition during the late Qing dynasty reforms in 1905. The key sponsors for abolition were Yuan Shikai, Yin Chang and Zhang Zhidong. Aspects of the imperial examination still exist for entry into the civil service of both China and Taiwan. The exams served to ensure a common knowledge of writing, Chinese classics, and literary style among state officials. This common culture helped to unify the empire, and the ideal of achievement by merit gave legitimacy to imper ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Protestantism In China
Protestant Christianity ( zh, t=基督敎新敎, p=Jīdūjiào xīnjiào, l=New teachings of Christianity, in comparison to earlier Roman Catholicism) entered China in the early 19th century, taking root in a significant way during the Qing dynasty. Some historians consider the Taiping Rebellion to have been influenced by Protestant teachings.Dr. G. Wright Doyle (2010). How Dangerous are Chinese House Churches'. A review of "Redeemed by Fire: The Rise of Popular Christianity in Modern China", a book of Lian Xi. Yale University Press, 2010. . Since the mid-20th century, there has been an increase in the number of Christian practitioners in China. According to a survey published in 2010 there are approximately 40 million Protestants in China.2010 Chinese Spiritual Life Survey conducted by Dr. Yang Fenggang, Purdue University’s Center on Religion and Chinese Society. Statistics published in: Katharina Wenzel-Teuber, David Strait. People’s Republic of China: Religions and Churche ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Robert Morrison (missionary)
Robert Morrison, Royal Society, FRS (5 January 1782 – 1 August 1834), was an Anglo-Scottish Protestant missions in China 1807–1953, Protestant missionary to Portuguese Macao, Qing Empire, Qing-era Guangdong, and Dutch Malacca, who was also a pioneering Sinology, sinologist, lexicographer, and translation into Chinese, translator considered the "Father of Anglo-Chinese Literature". Morrison, a Presbyterian preacher, is most notable for his work in China. After twenty-five years of work he translated the whole Bible into the Chinese language and baptized ten Chinese believers, including Cai Gao, Liang Fa, and Wat Ngong. Morrison pioneered the Chinese Bible Translations, translation of the Bible into Chinese and planned for the distribution of the Scriptures as broadly as possible, unlike the previous Roman Catholic translation work that had never been published. Morrison cooperated with such contemporary missionaries as Walter Henry Medhurst and William Milne (missionary), Wi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tian
Tian () is one of the oldest Chinese terms for heaven and a key concept in Chinese mythology, philosophy, and cosmology. During the Shang dynasty (17th―11th century BCE), the Chinese referred to their highest god as '' Shangdi'' or ''Di'' (, 'Lord'). During the following Zhou dynasty, Tian became synonymous with this figure. Before the 20th century, worship of Tian was an orthodox cosmic principle of China. In Taoism and Confucianism, Tian (the celestial aspect of the cosmos, often translated as "Heaven") is mentioned in relationship to its complementary aspect of '' Dì'' (, often translated as "Earth"). They are thought to maintain the two poles of the Three Realms of reality, with the middle realm occupied by Humanity (, ), and the lower world occupied by demons (, ) and "ghosts", the damned, (, ). Tian was variously thought of as a "supreme power reigning over lesser gods and human beings" that brought "order and calm... or catastrophe and punishment", a deity, destiny, a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Doumu
Dǒumǔ (), also known as , and , is a goddess in Chinese religion and Taoism. She is also named through the honorific Tiānhòu ( "Queen of Heaven"), shared with other Chinese goddesses, especially Mazu, who are perhaps conceived as her aspects. Other names are and . She is the feminine aspect of the cosmic God of Heaven. The seven stars of the Big Dipper, in addition to two not visible to the naked eye, are conceived as her sons, the , themselves regarded as the ninefold manifestation of or , another name of the God of Heaven. She is therefore both wife and mother of the God of Heaven. In certain Taoist accounts she is identified as the ambiguous goddess of life and death Xiwangmu. In religious doctrines Taoist esotericism In the esoteric teachings of Taoism she is identified as the same as Jinling Shengmu, and }, representing the mother of the immortal "red infant" () Dao enshrined at the centre of the human body. This links her directly to the myths about the birth an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hong Tianguifu
Hong Tianguifu (23 November 1849 – 18 November 1864) was the second and last king of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. He is popularly referred to as the Junior Lord (). Officially, like his father Hong Xiuquan, he was the King of Heaven (). To differentiate, he is also called the Junior King of Heaven (). History Hong was born in village in Hua County (present-day Huadu District), Guangdong. Initially given the first name Tiangui (天貴; "Heaven's Precious"), his father added an additional character (福; "happiness/"blessing") around 1860, making his name unusual, as Chinese given names typically have only one or two characters. The name change came amid Hong Xiuquan's increased focus on mysticism and belief that Hong was fit to replace him as "worldly leader". In the kingdom's hierarchy, Hong was referred to as "The Young Monarch of 10,000 years", mirroring his father's title "Heavenly King, Lord of 10,000 years". Hong succeeded his father on 2 June 1864, a day after his de ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shi Dakai
Shi Dakai (1 March 1831 – 25 June 1863; ), born in Guigang, Guangxi, also known as the Wing King () or phonetically translated as Yi-Wang, was one of the most highly acclaimed leaders in the Taiping Rebellion and a poet. Early life Shi Dakai was a Hakka from Guixian, Guangxi.Franz H. Michael, The Taiping Rebellion: History 40 (1966) He headed the family at a young age after being orphaned, and was known in the local community for his hospitality, martial skills and justice in handling local affairs. Shi had studied for the imperial examinations, but had failed in his attempts to pass them. Taiping Rebellion In 1849, at the age of 16, Shi was sought out by Feng Yunshan and Hong Xiuquan, and joined them in the leadership of the rebellion. Quickly distinguished by his brilliant tactics, skilled training of the troops and fair administration of the public funds, Shi was made commander of his own army at the age of nineteen. In January 1851, Hong Xiuquan and the five key leade ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Xiao Chaogui
Xiao Chaogui (; 1820 – September 1852) was an important leader during the early years of the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing dynasty of China. He was a sworn brother to Hong Xiuquan, the leader of the Taipings, and claimed to serve as a mouthpiece for Jesus Christ. Because of his importance to the rebellion, he was awarded the title of the "West King." Early life Xiao Chaogui was a poor peasant farmer from Wuxuan, now part of Guiping, in the Thistle Mountain region of Guangxi. Despite his modest means, he became an influential leader in the region. He was probably a member of the Hakka people, but it has also been suggested that he was Yao. He may have been a relative of Yang Xiuqing. He, along with his wife, father, and brothers, joined Hong Xiuquan's Society of God Worshippers. He possessed a "legendary reputation for valor and physical strength." Wife He was married to Yang Yunjiao, a zealous God Worshipper. Yang claimed to have visited Heaven in 1837 during ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wei Changhui
Wei Changhui () was the North King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom during the Taiping Rebellion. Pre-Rebellion involvement Wei Changhui was a wealthy native of Jintian, Guiping, Guangxi, who owned both land and a pawnshop. Wei was also educated and a member of a prosperous clan that had ensured that the market town of Jiantin was a safe haven for the God Worshippers. During the early days of the movement during the 1840s, Wei converted to God Worshipping by Feng Yunshan and Hong Xiuquan. During the summer of 1848, Wei swore brotherhood to Hong Xiuquan, Feng Yunshan, Yang Xiuqing, Xiao Chaogui, Shi Dakai, and Jesus Christ. During the Rebellion Wei was a principal Taiping general since the early days of the rebellion. On December 4, 1851, Hong Xiuquan declared Wei to be the North King, Lord of 6,000 Years. Once the Taiping captured Nanjing Nanjing or Nanking is the capital of Jiangsu, a province in East China. The city, which is located in the southwestern corner o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yang Xiuqing
Yang Xiuqing () (died September 2/3, 1856), was an organizer and commander-in-chief of the Taiping Rebellion. Early life Yang Xiuqing's family were farmers from Xincun near Jintian, Guangxi, but he lost his parents at a young age. According to imperial reports, Yang was a charcoal burner with some education who later organized a convoy system used to protect merchandise that was being transported through the area from bandits. His brother Yang Fuqing also later became a Taiping military commander. Society of God-Worshippers In April 1848, while Feng Yunshan and Hong Xiuquan were in a neighboring province, Yang assumed a leadership role in the God-Worshipping Society. Yang claimed to have been stricken deaf and mute only to have regained his hearing and speech at a meeting of the God Worshippers. He began to claim that he could enter trances in which he would be possessed by the Holy Spirit ( Fei Lian), allowing God the Father (Shangdi) to speak through him. It does not ap ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Divine Filiation
Divine filiation is the Christianity, Christian doctrine that Jesus Christ is the only-begotten Son of God by nature, and when Christians are redeemed by Jesus they become sons (and daughters) of God by adoption. This doctrine is held by most Christians, but the phrase "divine filiation" is used primarily by Catholics. This doctrine is also referred to as divine sonship. Divine filiation builds on other Christians doctrines. In the doctrine of the Trinity, God the Son is the Eternal Word spoken by God the Father. The doctrine of the Incarnation teaches that around 2000 years ago, God the Son assumed a human nature, "became flesh and dwelt among us" () as Jesus in Christianity, Jesus of Nazareth. Divine filiation is the centerpiece of the Gospel, the Good news (Christianity), Good News: it is the reason why humanity was saved. And is also the purpose behind baptism. According to John Paul II, divine filiation is "the deepest mystery of the Christian vocation" and "the culminating p ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
