Shangdi is the High God in the earliest-known religious system of the Han Chinese people. While such terminology implies parallels with the gods of the world's religious traditions, two important differences must be acknowledged: first, while Shangdi was understood as a benevolent ruler divinity, this conception was not conflated with a role in the cosmogony; second, He was seen as one divinity (ancestor) among many. In this way, Shangdi bears more similarities to the dyeus figures in Indo-European religions (e.g., Zeus, Jupiter, Tiwaz) than to the God of Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Did you know that the worship of Shangdi existed before before T’ien did? Also Shangdi was the god of heaven.
Shangdi was worshiped by the Emperor, Ti in order to please him. The Emperor, his family and ancestors all worshiped Shang, or the head of the hierarchy of their ancestors. The people could not worship Shangdi, for if they did, they would be claiming a familiarity or relationship that could be punishable with death. When the people worshiped the king, they were really worshiping Shangdi.
Did you know that the worship of Shangdi existed before before T’ien did? Also Shangdi was the god of heaven.
Shangdi was worshiped by the Emperor, Ti in order to please him. The Emperor, his family and ancestors all worshiped Shang, or the head of the hierarchy of their ancestors. The people could not worship Shangdi, for if they did, they would be claiming a familiarity or relationship that could be punishable with death. When the people worshiped the king, they were really worshiping Shangdi.