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Similarities between confucianism and taoism
Taoism reflection essay
Comparisons with Taoism and Confucianism
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Reading through these materials, both differ in a most significant manner. Taoism talks more about exploring one's mind; an essence. The ability to trust, be less judgmental, isolate conflict or anger in any relationship, and kindness to oneself. Whereas Confucianism speaks of being responsible, acquire good leadership skills, respect higher bodies such as the government, obligation to cultural identity and to live a better life. In the Analects, Kong Qui said, "See what a man does. "Mark his motives. "Examine in what things he rests. "How can a man conceal his character?" (Section I.2) Clearly, we see a leadership role in this passage. Why must one see what a man does? Yes, it requires patience to observe a person. Everyone wants to be a
First of all, in the first Chapter, he made a clear definition about leadership. He wrote, “Leadership is the process of persuasion or example by which an individual induces a group to pursue objectives held by the leader and his followers.” In this precise sentence, he pointed that four indispensable parts in one organization: leader, team member, target, belief. He regarded leader doesn’t refer to an individual, but the leadership team, because no individual has all the skills to solve different difficulties.
In conclusion the teachings of Confucianism and Daoism judging from a pragmatic standpoint cannot coexist with one another. Although their main objective is similar which is to provide a valuable philosophy for the rulers to adopt, the philosophies themselves differ in many ways. If the Kings or rulers decided to embrace the Confucius philosophy then they would go against the Yin-Yang and flow of nature.
Per contra, the views of the nature of these two philosophies have something in common as well as some differences. Taoists consider the nature as sensible, enormously sophisticated, and interminably illogical. The aim of Daoism is wu wei, doing nothing against it. For nature, there is no need to be improved or enriched. Only people have to change and transform. The only means to determine the original source is to observe the nature. In Taoism, there is no a single mention of anthropocentrism. Unlike other religions, it always remembered its animal gods. Early Chinese shamans put on animal masks to join and speak with these deities. Their animals-spirits linked the world of people, dynasties, and idols. There was a tradition, according to
Taoism and Confucianism are two major Chinese philosophies. I say that they are philosophies because religions tend to worship deities and Taoism and Confucianism don’t seems to worshiping anything. To some they appear to be different, even clashing but to me, they seem very much alike but they come at it from different points of view. Both philosophies strive to reach harmony but in to very different ways. I do believe the reason they can co-exist is because they see Tao from two different ways.
...may be similar to the other. These two have the same goal in moving away from selfishness instead be a part of a whole to be a productive citizen. Both are endeavoring to find harmony although in a different way. Taoism achieves it by going with the natural flow of things while Confucianism does it by finding solutions in a more active way. Confucius once said, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated,” it was the people way of thinking that they experience complications because they do not get satisfied. People attempt to ask for more after getting what they want. It is in this way that Taoism wants its believers to detach themselves from worldly things so they will have harmony. The two philosophies might be different in some ways but executing some of their values and teachings will be a better way to achieve harmony and contentment in life.
In India, around the 6th century B.C., a man gave up his royal lifestyle to attain enlightenment, and began teaching others the path to enlightenment as well. This prince-turned-teacher became known as the Buddha. At the same time, in China, Confucius too was just initiating his teachings in social construction. Their teachings became important and are still influential in their home countries. For India, and later on in China too, Buddhism became a religion and in China, Confucianism became a social structure model. Throughout their teachings, three philosophies were covered by both teachers in their own way. These viewpoints were humanity without selfishness, education in the fundamentals of firmness of beliefs and keeping fresh minds, and
Confucius thought that society needed to return to the Dao while Daoism teaches that we need to follow the Dao or else we will not continue to live. Confucius was “not the one who was born with knowledge, [but is the] one who loves the past and is diligent in seeking it” (Confucius and the Analects 51). Both traditions support a following of the Dao, but their approach to living the Dao is very different. Confucianism is very explicit in what is right and wrong. A major source of information for what is right and what is wrong are the Analects, where conversations “focus on the practicalities of interpersonal relationships, personal cultivation in the context of those relationships, and the relationship of personal cultivation on the part of rulers and ministers to the conduct of government” (Confucius and the Analects 42). This is important because it shows how important Confucius thought that human and social relationships were to and how they can help society return to the old ways. In section 2.3 of the Analects, Confucius
“A leader or a man of action in a crisis almost always acts subconsciously and then thinks of the reasons for his action.” (Jawaharlal Nehru) Leaders throughout history have been idolized as the magnificent humans with the ability to sway the heart of man with both silent and thunderous footsteps. One such man being Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Shakespeare dictates that a leader is cunning, sharp minded, and a caring person who is prepared to dedicate their life to a goal and to the people they care for; the reason be “right” or “wrong”.
..., when we look at the deeper meaning of education as seen in Confucianism and Taoism, we see that they consider education in much the same way. One must know the importance of self-realization and understand how they fit into the whole. This is a very important form of education. In this way, we will be better prepared to integrate the greater whole.
Confucianism has a close concern on social reality and strong sense of mission on history that ‘the country management and governess as own responsibility’ (Cline, 2007, pp.231). It refers that a person should keep learning and practice what has learnt to become benevolent and righteous for himself, and help others, manage state affairs as well as protect the peace of country (Confucius, 1994). This is a positive life attitude for human being relates to what called “Dao”. In contrast, the ideology of Taoism ignored and removed the barrier of interpersonal relationship, insisting to build peaceful in world based on the value orientation. The theory taught people to show no interest in physical success and social issues because everything has its own natural attributes ( 'Taoism and the arts of China ', 2001). It means that they think doing nothing is better than doing something because the latter one may break the perfection and harmony of nature. Most excellent Confucianism learner became politician in the future, however, most of Taoism learner became solitary (Wang & Chanzit, 2004). It address that the most important thing comes from the interior mind. Taoism cares about the pursuit of spiritual thing like moral and characteristics rather than physical or superficial thing such as reputation and welfare, corresponding to the
Taoism and Buddhism were born in the same century. Siddhartha reached enlightenment in approximately 535 B.C. and Lao Tzu’s teachings were recorded around 500 B.C. There are many similarities in the basics of these two religions. Some of the similarities can be seen clearly when examining the three meaning of Tao.
There is a similar bond between the Confucians and the Tao in the category rules and behavior. They both believe that you must act accordingly in some way. These two are different also in the sense that Tao believe the life is to be lived according to the Tao and Confucians believe to live it according to actions. Also, the Confucians believed you need to understand the relationship with family, and to follow the five goals of Confucianism. The Buddhists had a totally different idea for this though; they believe that you just need to follow behavior in the ways of the eightfold path and the nine precepts.
Although Judaism and Confucianism appear to be on different realms of the religious spectrum, they have similar traditions deriving from dissimilar roots. The significance of family in Confucianism is strongly upheld by the filial piety rooted within all of the traditions and beliefs. Meanwhile, Judaism’s emphasis on God’s word as being the ultimate path for a righteous life is supported throughout the Jewish adherence to the special laws commanded by God. Whether the foundation of the religion is rooted from filial piety or God’s commandments, both Judaism and Confucianism reflect similar standards in family rituals, religious beliefs, and moral conduct.
Philip J. Ivanhoe. Confucian moral self cultivation. New York : P. Lang, vol. 3, 1993.
Another difference is Confucianism is based off of respect for others and their superiors, and Confucians are to follow a code of conduct with social harmony as a goal. On the other hand, Taoism is based on the contemplation of life and followers are to seek balance in their lives through following the path or Tao. Even though they have similar views, the differences they each possess, such as with virtues, beliefs in self-improvement and cultivation, and methodology of learning and following philosophies, are another major factor in what sets them apart. Despite both their similarities and differences, both Confucianism and Taoism have developed into the modern age where they have hundreds of thousands of devoted followers that believe in their faith.