Confucianism And Taoism

867 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Similarities between Confucianism and Taoism

Confucianism and Taoism are religious belief systems which have co-existed in China for well over two centuries. Confucianism deals with social matters and status, while Taoism concerns itself with the search for meaning and being one with nature. I agree with the statement that Chinese philosophies and religious practices are concerned with the creation of harmony as this will be proven in this essay as the similarities and differences between Confucianism and Taoism with regards to their strategies for the creation of harmony will be analysed. Furthermore, the maintenance and restoration of harmony within the individual will be analysed in accordance with the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang and Qi through acupuncture. Social and cosmic harmony will also be discussed with regards to Confucianism and Taoism respectively. The conclusion will be based on beliefs of Confucianism and Taoism alike.

According to Birch (2002) it was during the 6th century B.C.E that the two most influential leaders namely, Confucius and Lao-Tzu, lived and practiced their philosophies of Confucianism and Taoism respectively while simultaneously attracting countless of followers. Confucianism is a set of laws which was established by Confucius as he was primarily concerned with social responsibilities and social hierarchy. Confucianism is a leadership ethic which views hierarchy as the natural order. Therefore, if relationships and society are to be successful it is crucial for leaders to be good people. Senior leaders are powerful and power must be exercised in the best interest of themselves and those for whom they are responsible. Relationships and organisation will not be mutually advantageous and good results are much less likely occur if social ...

... middle of paper ...

.... Chinese practitioners diagnose their patient’s illness by means of patterns of disharmony within the body. Acupuncture was the medical system that was created from the worldview of Qi. To maintain and restore health, the ancient Chinese worked with the Qi of the body. Acupuncture is a Chinese form of holistic healing which seeks to regain the balance and restore harmony within the individual. Chinese Medicine, as created by the Taoists, focuses on Qi which is said to be the energy that creates and sustains life. Qi is the most important energy within the human. Taoists believe Qi is like the heart that pumps the blood in the body as this indicates the importance and significance of Qi. Qi is an important concept in Taoism and Confucianism even though Taoists came up with the concept. Acupuncture, however, is present in both Confucianism and Taoism respectively.

Show More
Related

  • The Mencius-Xunzi Debate in Early Confucian Ethnics

    1094 Words  | 3 Pages

    INTRODUCTION Confucianism is regarded as one of the primary religions that have profoundly influenced Chinese beliefs and ideologies. While Kongzi, or Confucius, is the founder of Confucianism, he is not the only philosopher who has contributed to such a significant impact on China. Similarly, the Analects of Confucius is not the single text that represents Confucianism. In fact, during different time periods throughout the history, there are a number of eminent representatives of Confucian thoughts, such as Mengzi and Xunzi. Because Confucianism aims at eliminating chaos and maintaining order in a harmonious society, they all agree that the guidance and education of virtuous Confucian pioneers are of extreme importance to achieve this goal.

    Read More

  • Confucianism, Daoism & Legalism

    1215 Words  | 3 Pages

    Amidst the chaos of political instability and constant warring of the Zhou era, arose many intellectual thinkers that brought such profound impact in the field of politics, religion and philosophy. Even to the day, their influence can be espied in the many matters of China. Confucianism became the paramount school of thinking and later significant philosophies such as Daoism and Legalism gained immense recognition as well. Each party had their own proposals for creating an idealistic political society where the many problems they faced in their everyday lives could be eliminated. All three approaches were very distinct but at the same time, they contained certain similarities as well. In my reasoning, I find that Confucianism and Daoism could be paralleled in many ways to find several common grounds. On the other hand, Legalism goes on to take a more unique approach which was much different from the previous two.

    Read More

  • Confucianism Vs Daoism Essay

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    During the Warring States period China was going through chaos. The teachings of Confucianism and Daoism were welcomed by society to bring order, stability and liberate people from the misery and oppression. The rulers were greedy and desirous of political power and their own agendas; however they were looking for a new way to unite their people. It is often said that Confucianism and Daoism are the yang and yin, respectively, of Chinese religion. That is, they are not rivals so much as complementary traditions, working together to produce an overall balance in the lives of the Chinese. This is not true because the two religious philosophies were different from one another. Confucius believed that the traditions and virtues that were studied and taught in the old days by the Ancients was the best way to organize society (trickle-down approach). Also followers of Confucius believed in education, a moral force and human goodness to advance and progress within society. Daoism on the other hand relies on human nature and a balance of good and evil (Yin-Yang) to bring about social order. It neglects education, virtue and cultural norms because it is said that people are born faultless.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Confucianism And Daoism

    1931 Words  | 4 Pages

    While possessing similar goals, Confucianism and Daoism texts have conflicting information on how to achieve these goals. Confucianism and Daoism have some similarities such as the belief that “human fulfillment lay in harmonizing our thinking and behavior with the Way (dao)” and a refinement of the self to gain an objective (Adler, Chinese Religious Traditions, 15). Both traditions recognize that we can do better as humans. While there are similarities between these religious traditions, their written teachings have very different instruction on how to achieve the Dao. Confucianism encourages the notion of ru, which is “evoking a commitment to learning, refinement, cultural accomplishments, and the practice of rites and

    Read More

  • Judaism and Confucianism: A Comparison

    1515 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Comparison Of Buddhism And Taoism

    542 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Influence of Confucianism on Chinese Culture

    1731 Words  | 4 Pages

    Confucian culture, also known as Confucianism, was founded by Confucius during the Spring and Autumn Period, which was developed gradually after the Han Dynasty with benevolence as the core. Since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism was the official ideology and the basis of mainstream ideology in the vast majority of historical periods of China, and it also influenced many southeast Asian countries in history. After a variety of shocks, Confucianism was still the core values of China's social public, and represented the Chinese culture and national tradition in the world (Littlejohn, 2010). In the contemporary society, the Confucian culture in China increasingly spread, at the same time, its modern value is excavated by many countries in the world, and its international influence is also growing with the rise of China.

    Read More

  • Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism

    1035 Words  | 3 Pages

    Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism constitute the essence of the traditional Chinese culture. The relationship among the three has been marked by both competition and complementation in history, with Confucianism playing a more dominant role. Confucianism emphasized a reiteration of current moral values and Taoism developed a system of based upon a harmonization of man with the natural order. These two popular philosophies, however, developed into popular religions eventually. Besides the major religions, ancestor worship and animism also have strong support in China. Chinese people are very pragmatic, worshipping gods that might answer their prayers.

    Read More

  • Difference Between Confucianism And Taoism

    1048 Words  | 3 Pages

    Even though Taoism and many other folk religions have shaped the Chinese mind, Confucianism remains, by any historical measure, its chief mentor” (Novak 113). Therefore, since the two religions grew up together, there are similarities, such as their views on humans, attempting to find harmony in life and in nature, and serve as guides for their followers through self-cultivation and improvement techniques. Confucianism believes that their congregation should have human conduct over the idea of God in their lives, whereas Taoism is formed on the belief that its congregation should create a relationship with nature. This is pointed out by Smith in Experiencing the World’s Religions, “Confucius represents the classical, Lao Tzu the romantic; Confucius stresses social responsibility, Lao Tzu praises spontaneity and naturalness; Confucius focus is on the human, Lao Tzu’s on what transcends the human” (Smith 218).

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Confucianism And Daoism

    1141 Words  | 3 Pages

    Reaching harmony with the world is important in Confucianism (Confucianism.pptx, 4). Confucius placed an importance on harmony in the family, he believed that it lead to a better society (Wilkinson, 242). Harmony starts at the top. The ruler has to give sacrifices to heaven “to insure his mandate to rule” (Confucianism.pptx, 5). These practices were already around before Confucius, he did however support many of the old traditions (Confucianism.pptx, 13). Taiji, the ultimate reality, “is an unknowable absolute force that orders the universe” (Wilkinson, 242). People believe that with enough meditation, contemplation, mental discipline and the pursuit of knowledge can lead them to a “unity with Taiji” (Wilkinson, 242). Like in Daoism, Confucianism believes in yin and yang (Wilkinson, 242). Followers can reach harmony in two ways, li and ren. Li is “epitomized by the behavior of the ancient sages in the Five Classics” and includes a balance between ceremony, rituals, and manners (Wilkinson, 244). Ren is about right human conduct, “goodness, love, humanity, and generosity” (Wilkinson,

    Read More

  • Confucianism And Daoism

    218 Words  | 1 Pages

    Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism are religions that also act as a complete way of life guiding ethics and philosophy. These Asian traditions emerged as an explanation of mortality and have a long history of mutual influence on China, India, and Japan, developing during a time of war and political instability. These three schools of thought each have no gods and teach in improving the followers relationship with the universe. Confucianism and Daoism are complimentary traditions that share beliefs on ancestral spirits, Tian or “heaven”, and Yin & Yang (the balance of forces) however, they diverge on the expression of the Dao. The Dao is a unity that connects all things together, however it is not viewed as an ultimate god or deity. Daoism

    Read More

  • Importance Of Harmony In Chinese Culture

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Confucian model of the social hierarchy order provides philosophical basis starting from maintenance of the family structure to the government. Confucius’s followers believe that society is a trust based community on social responsibility not an adversarial system based on individual rights. That might be one of the reasons why Chinese people have high sense of vertical order in their attitudes.

    Read More

  • Essay On Confucianism

    1482 Words  | 3 Pages

    Confucianism has had a major influence on Chinese social, political and economic life for more than 2000 years. Confucius was the most innovative and respected philosopher in Chinese history. His ideas have been the strongest influence on China and its society. Confucius taught the value of practical ethics and social morality in order to obtain his decadent view of society. He presented the idea of perfecting the human personality by incorporating the five virtues of Jen, Li, Hsiao Ti, Chung-Su and I (Smith 1973, p 66) until the ideal of a perfect man and true gentleman is reached. Confucianism changed everything about China including the way the government ran the country and how young people were being educated. This essay will examine Confucianism as a philosophy, rather than a religion, and how it acted as a moral guide to a way of living in Chinese society in order to create cultural unification and social harmony.

    Read More

  • Acupuncture Essay

    2445 Words  | 5 Pages

    Acupuncture in Gale Science in Context it explains that Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is also considered an Ancient type of therapy and it first began in the eastern part of Asia around 2,000 years ago. In Chinese philosophy the body energy is called “Qi” and its pronounced “Chee.” Qi is the body energy and it travels

    Read More

  • Reflection On World Religion

    991 Words  | 2 Pages

    Lao-Tze founded Taoism around 550 BC. The goal in Taoism is achieve Inner harmony, pea...

    Read More

More about Confucianism And Taoism

Open Document