This course explores the Chinese historical context out of which evolved the philosophical bases of these two religions during the Age of the Philosophers (6th century BC). We will examine the life and key teachings of Confucius and the development of Confucianism as a universal religious system. We will also study the poetic Tao Te Ching of Lao-Tzu and the doctrines of philosophical Taoism; the immortality cults; and the development of Taoism as a universal religious system.