Translate the following words to Chinese:

Introduction

Oracle bone inscriptions are ancient Chinese texts that were inscribed on the bones of animals. These inscriptions were used for divination purposes by Chinese fortune-tellers during the Shang Dynasty. The inscriptions reveal many aspects of ancient Chinese culture, including their belief in ancestor gods. These gods were believed to have a profound influence on the lives of humans, and their behavior towards their offspring was often harmful. This paper will explore the reasons why ancestor gods were believed to harm their offspring, the impact of this belief on Chinese culture, and what can be learned from this belief.

Reasons for harming offspring

There were several reasons why ancestor gods were believed to harm their offspring. One of the main reasons was to test their loyalty and obedience. According to Chinese mythology, the ancestors were believed to be watching over their descendants and would punish them if they disobeyed or were disloyal. By harming their offspring, they were testing their loyalty and obedience to see if they would continue to worship and honor them.

Another reason for harming their offspring was to teach them a lesson or to punish them for their sins. Chinese mythology believed in the concept of retribution, where humans were punished for their sins, either in this life or the afterlife. The ancestor gods were believed to be the enforcers of this retribution, and by harming their offspring, they were teaching them a lesson and punishing them for their sins.

Finally, ancestor gods were believed to harm their offspring to protect them from harm. According to Chinese mythology, the world was full of dangers and threats, and the ancestor gods were responsible for protecting their descendants from harm. By harming their offspring, they believed they were protecting them from greater harm or danger.

Impacts of harmful ancestor gods

The belief in harmful ancestor gods had a significant impact on ancient Chinese culture. It reinforced the idea of obedience and loyalty to authority, as failure to obey or honor the ancestor gods could result in punishment. This belief also reinforced the idea of filial piety, where children were expected to honor and obey their parents and ancestors.

The belief in harmful ancestor gods also had a significant impact on Chinese religion. It reinforced the idea of retribution and punishment for sins, which became a central concept in Chinese Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The practice of ancestor worship, which was central to Chinese religion, also became more complex and ritualistic, as the ancestors were believed to have a more significant influence on the lives of their descendants.

Finally, the belief in harmful ancestor gods had an impact on Chinese history and politics. The Shang Dynasty was believed to have been ruled by a priestly or shamanic class that was responsible for conducting ancestor worship rituals. The belief in harmful ancestor gods may have reinforced the power and authority of this class, as they were the mediators between the ancestors and the people.

Conclusion

The belief in harmful ancestor gods was a central aspect of ancient Chinese culture and religion. This belief had a significant impact on Chinese society, reinforcing the importance of obedience, loyalty, and filial piety. The belief in harmful ancestor gods also influenced Chinese religion and history, reinforcing the concepts of retribution and punishment for sins, and reinforcing the power and authority of the priestly or shamanic class. While this belief may seem primitive or superstitious by modern standards, it reveals much about the beliefs and values of ancient Chinese culture and provides valuable insights into the evolution of Chinese religion and society.