Religious Practices and Morality in Ancient China

923 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The Roman and Chinese civilizations

When I think of great cultures I immediately start to imagine myself in Ancient China. They had interesting ways of living and dying. In this essay I will compare and contrast the different religions and morality in Ancient China. Ancient China had 3 main religions which are Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. The three religions have different guidelines but have an ultimate goal that is somewhat similar.

Religion separates the world into several different regions with its own beliefs. Religion is what keeps the world alive with divine thoughts and beliefs for most of the population, they wake up everyday living their lives with a purpose. People of a certain religion have an established set of rules and guidelines they follow in order …show more content…

In conclusion Buddhism does not say if gods exist or not and they do not believe that people should look to gods to save them or bring them enlightenment.

Taoism is one of the oldest religions in the world, the origins of Taoism points to one person by the name of Lao Tzu, a philosopher and poet of ancient China. Taoism was founded on China in the c. 550 BCE. The writings of Lao Tzu are considered to be the core of Taoism.

Some of the core beliefs of Taoism are that the way to happiness is for people to learn to go with the flow of life. Ying is the moon in other words death and Yang means sun which is birth, they both have to be balanced if not tragedy will occur. Lao also belief in that one should make their own decisions. The sacred text of Taoism is The Tao-te Ching and the Chuang-tzu, they both define the nature of the universe and provide a guide for living a spiritual life. In conclusion Taoism is to follow your nature and the nature of the …show more content…

He also was known for his work in “ Four Books”. Confucianism was founded in China on the c. 500 B.C.E. The ideas and writings of Confucius are considered to be the core of Confucianism.

Some of the core beliefs of Confucianism are people should live their live by this two principles that are concern for others and appropriate behavior. Confucius beleved that everyone has a role to play in society. The sacred text of Confucianism are Analects , the Five Classics and the Four Books, they define the way people should live their life and how to help others. In conclusion Confucianism is an ethical system which strives to create harmonious relationships between people.

The major difference between Confucianism and the other 2 religions is that Confucianism is not a religion. It is an ethical system emphasizing on responsibility to family, etc and the responsibilities of rulers and citizens, but it does not have any gods or other supernatural beings. Confucianism is about making people more educated so they themselves can make better choices. Buddhism is about controlling one's selves emotions to prevent negativity from entering the world. The central concepts in taoism are power, virtue and

Show More
Related

  • the Tao Of Pooh Book Review

    2327 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...oundation of all living things that exist in this world. The mission of Taoism is not to force its beliefs on people, but to help them realize their inner-self and guide into a happy life in harmony with nature. To best summarize Taoism a quote from Lao-Tse can be used: "We believe in the formless and eternal Tao, and we recognize all personified deities as being mere human constructs. We reject hatred, intolerance, and unnecessary violence, and embrace harmony, love and learning, as we are taught by Nature. We place our trust and our lives in the Tao, that we may live in peace and balance with the Universe, both in this mortal life and beyond." There are thousands of religions that offer endless solutions to end suffering, to restore peace and unity in the world. For decades philosophers tried to come up with ways to find happiness, but in the end there was only one answer. The answer came from a some would call silly, others wise bear by the name of Winnie-the-Pooh, who discovered the secret for happiness in and old religion, founded by a great master Lao-Tse. This religion became the answer for the endless search for happiness and the answer was Taoism.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Confucianism Daoism And Legalism

    516 Words  | 2 Pages

    To begin, Confucianism is a system of philosophical and ethical teachings founded by Confucius. Confucianism was the code of ethics accepted as the certified religion of most of the immense empires in the territory since the Han Dynasty. Confucianism provided an outline of ethical and religious beliefs that most of the Chinese expanded to make other religions such as Daoism and Legalism. To expand, Confucianism was founded by Confucius and his beliefs on the political and social order of China. Confucius believed that everything would fall into place if children had respect for their parents and if the rulers were honest. In Confucianism, specific roles were followed by each person in the family. The head of the family, the father, was the one primarily in control and then it was the oldest son that was next in line. Confucius had the belief that a ruler has to be everything he wants

    Read More

  • Taoism’s Historical Origins and Leaders

    1754 Words  | 4 Pages

    Taoism is an ancient Chinese religion, a religion of peace focused on universal balance. The religion itself, though generally surviving today, was almost entirely wiped out in ancient times. Taoism’s primary symbol is still visible on the global market in modern times, though it tends to carry somewhat different meanings then it necessarily did previously. An incredibly life-structure oriented religion, it has permeated through society and is more easily understood through analysis of Taoism’s historical origins and leaders, its types and beliefs, ethics, and the modern influences of Taoism on society.

    Read More

  • Exploring the Religion of Taoism

    1089 Words  | 3 Pages

    Though no one is completely certain, The Urantia Book Fellowship(Sprunger) many scholars believe Taoism’s foundation goes back to 604 BC, by Lao Tzu. Taoism is one of the more influential religious practices of the Eastern culture and many view it as a way of life rather than a religion. It emphasizes various themes centered on naturalness, vitality, peace, non-interference/non-resistance, refinement, detachment, flexibility, receptiveness, spontaneity, and the ways of life, speaking, and guiding behavior. Taoism represents the road, path followed in life, the flow of the universe, or the force behind the natural order of life that keeps the universe balanced and ordered. There are several variations of Taoism practiced around the world.

    Read More

  • Taoism: Potential Within Passivity

    1456 Words  | 3 Pages

    Taoism follows a much different idea of the "chain of being," than that of the other major religions (i.e. Hinduism, Judeo-Christian, Islam), which is very important in consideration of the ecological sensibility which stems from it. As opposed to a God-over-man-over-nature view of the world, Taoism states:

    Read More

  • Taoisism And Confucianism Research Paper

    685 Words  | 2 Pages

    Lao Tzu believed that Tao is a natural thing. He believes that you come by it or you realize its presents and experience it. The best way for me to explain how Lao Tzu perceives the Tao is to take it directly from our reading in Molloy, “The Doa cannot be named because it has no form. But the Dao can be experienced and followed by every individual thing that has a name (213).” Lao Tzu used Tao as a way of being and living in harmony with nature. Lao Tzu believed that Tao came to you by using his teaching of Wu Wei, Simplicity, Gentleness and Relativity (217-218).

    Read More

  • Comparison Of Buddhism And Taoism

    542 Words  | 2 Pages

    In its second sense, Tao means "the way of the universe." Tao is something that goes through all beings, all of the earth. It is everywhere, all the time. It is something that flows through everything. This flowing idea links with the idea in Buddhism that Nirvana can be reached by anyone, as long as one is devoted enough and has lost all attachments.Thirdly, one life must be a certain way to work with the Tao: Tao also refers to "the way of human life" as it "meshes" with the universal Tao in its second sense.

    Read More

  • Aristotle versus Confucius

    1796 Words  | 4 Pages

    The teachings according to Confucius refer to Confucianism. Confucianism is the multifarious classification of ethical, collective, political and pious philosophy developed by Confucius and the old Chinese practices (Bertrand, 1999). Confucianism aim is actually making an individual honorable but also making such an individual the character of learning and of proper manners. The ideal and faultless man has to combine the characters of a saint, an intellectual and gentleman. Confucianism is a religious conviction whose adulation is focused on offerings to the dead. The idea of responsibility is extensive beyond the precincts of morals and holds close to the minutiae of daily living.

    Read More

  • Key Features And Characteristics Of The Chinese Popular Religion

    1037 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Buddhist brought with them the concept of multiple gods and Buddha’s “spiritual state to provide the power for humans to make the transition into death and the afterlife successfully” (Corduan, 2012, p.410). Confucianism brought the obedience of the child to the parent into Chinese mainstream life, plus the “social stratification and codes governing dress, actions and communication” (Corduan, 2012, p.409). Taoism introduced the balance of forces in harmony in spirits in the form of yin and yang, thus creating that balance of nature and humans (Corduan, 2012). Christianity influenced Chinese life both socially and economically by introducing the concepts of “love for one’s neighbor, self-discipline, and trust” (Lu, 2014, p.2) as both essential and beneficial (Lu, 2014). All of these together with the traditional Chinese religion, give the Chinese culture it’s popular religion

    Read More

  • Comparing Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism

    405 Words  | 1 Pages

    All of the three beliefs have a different view on life. The Confucians believe that you should be improved by education and development of your character. The Tao believed that the life you lived with the Tao ways was good and following society's ways was very bad. The Buddhist believe that there will always be negativity in life, and that all life has a lot of suffering in it. Therefore, you cannot change that. This is why the Buddhists think reincarnation is a bad thing.

    Read More

  • Taoism: Pursuing Happiness

    686 Words  | 2 Pages

    Taoism (or the Daoism) is a religious and philosophical tradition of the Chinese formed around 3rd or 4th centuries B.C.E. They indicate of living in harmony with nature, humanity and the divine emphasized. The Tao means “the way”, “the path” or “the way things are”, and can be found in other Chinese philosophies and religious. Everything about Taoism comes from The Tao Te Ching written by Laozi (or Lao Tzu) and father of Taoism. The book explains what to know about the Tao, how the Taoist disciple’s should follow the Tao, and which is his/her main

    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

  • Comparing Hinduism, Buddism, and Confucianism

    333 Words  | 1 Pages

    Confucianism is a religious philosophy formed by the Chinese philosopher Kung-fu-Tsu. This philosophy came out of need during the warring states period of Chinese history. K'ung-fu-Tsu was a teacher at the hundred schools. His prime concern was the improvement of society. Confucianism has no gods, and the only written history of this religion is in the Analects, a collection of his responses to his disciple's questions. K'ung-fu-Tsu believed that the improvement of society was the responsibility of the ruler and that the quality of government depended on the ruler's moral character. This new way meant concern for others and adherance to the golden rule. Confucianism has had a greater and longer lasting influence on China than that of any other religious philosophy.

    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

  • 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 Religious Practices and Morality in Ancient China

Open Document