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Similarities between Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism
Similarities between confucianism and taoism
Five key features of Chinese popular religion
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There are four reasons why Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism can coexist so peacefully. First of all, these three religions are compatible with the traditional Chinese culture. Secondly, adherents of these faiths believe that it is impossible to describe the Dao adequately using the vocabulary of only one language; therefore, they have no problem incorporating the language of the other faiths to describe more adequately the Dao. Thirdly, this combination of religions help them create a better society, and lastly, harmonizing these religions is much better than searching for the differences among them. First of all, these three religions are compatible with the traditional Chinese culture. As such, adherents of these faiths strive to achieve
In today’s society, there are roughly around 4,200 religions that exist on this planet. Some define "religion" as a cultural system of behaviors and practices that help people make important decisions in life. Out of the many religions, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism have many similarities that connect them to one another. Themes of morality, justice, love are found through both the Buddha's teaching and the Hebrew and Christian Bible.
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
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.
Since I grew in traditional chinese family, so I don’t know much about religions. In my family, we don’t go to church or temple. In my family, we do have some special customs that we follow during holidays,
Regarding religion, Chinese culture saw the emergence of Confucianism and Buddhism as the major influence. Confucianism stressed filial piety which meant respecting elders and superiors, ruling righteously, and obeying commands and orders. Confucianism was introduced by the Chinese thinker Confucius. Buddhism was brought to China, but originated in India and was founded by Siddhartha Gautama. Followers of Buddhism worshipped Buddh...
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.
One way Confucianism and Legalism would not work well together in a society because of their different beliefs of human nature. Confucians believe humans have the potential to be good, whereas legalist believe humans are naturally evil. These are not compatible because evil and good are opposites. Confucianists believe people must practice the Way so they can be good. In selection 3 from the confucianism primary sources it says, “Confucius said, “If you set your mind on humanity, you will be free from evil.”
In conclusion, Daoism and Confucianism seem to have a lot more in common than one might think. The two philosophies share the same viewpoints on the notions of filial piety and education. I believe, the principles and values that are taught in those philosophies could be of great benefit to our contemporary society.
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.
The basic beliefs and concepts of Confucianism are similar to Taoism in the sense that they want peace and good behavior. The Buddhists, on the other hand, strictly have the purpose to reach Nirvana and follow the four noble truths. The overall goal of Confucian is different than Buddhism and Taoism because the overall goal of the Confucius is to find their peaceful and harmonious place in life, while the two others have no overall goal. The goal of the individual believer is similar in Confucianism and Buddhism because they each follow a certain behavior and want to be in harmony with nature. The Tao just have to follow the life according to the Tao.
Mozi have created many important philosophical accomplishments that comprise Chinese earliest moral and governmental systems. Mozi does not attain unbiased ways that many other philosophy. He suggested only the moral codes would guide the people to living the right way. If an individual makes a mistake in his or her life it can be forgiven and able to follow the old structure of philosophies. Unlike Confucius, Mozi was one of the first philosopher to argue against Confucius.
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).
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
Even though, when Confucianism puts the family above the king, or hierarchy; it can create some problems; I believe Confucianism to be the best way to organize society because Confucianism is not a religion but a system of beliefs, and Confucius and his teachings continue to exert a deep influence on society even today.
Christianity and Buddhism are two of the most popular religions in the world. Each religion has their separate demographic, belief systems as well as rituals. Buddhism is centered upon the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha, where Christianity is centered on the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ.Christianity and Buddhism may seem that they don’t have a lot of similarities but surely both religions have a lot of similarities. In the next 3 paragraphs, the similarities and differences of Christianity and Buddhism will be explained.