ipl-logo

Differences And Similarities Between Daoism And Confucianism

1206 Words5 Pages

The most prominent religions, mentalities, and ways of life in China, also known as “The Three Teachings”, can easily be distinguished at first glance. Confucianism aims to create harmony in society with its followers. Daoism's goal is to release the practicer from society's chains and align one's life with the natural order of life. Zen Buddhism focuses on freeing oneself from all societal and natural structures to reach enlightenment. Despite these differences, there are aspects in each ideology that are remarkably similar. The intersection of Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism lies not in the end, but in the means to the end. Cultivation of the mind and soul is the only way to reach enlightenment, or in a Confuciast case, your harmonious place in life. The Confucian perspective of self-cultivation lies in getting in touch with your moral values and enhancing those qualities that make you who you are. As I stated earlier, the Confucian goal is to achieve a harmonious place in life, that is the living world. This is different from Zen Buddhism where the goal is to achieve Nirvana and break the endless cycle of life and death. However, the means to the …show more content…

In Daoism, reincarnation is seen as the natural flow of life and death. Zen Buddhism’s perspective of reincarnation is similar except for how you are reincarnated. In Zen Buddhism, you may be reborn as a lesser or greater being based on the consequences of your actions in your previous lives, otherwise known as karma. Despite this difference, Daoism and Zen Buddhism share the common goal which is to achieve spiritual enlightenment through cultivating inner peace and harmony. Doing so liberates you from the physical cycle of life and death. The idea of reincarnation provides the framework for conceptualizing the cyclical nature of existence and the possibility of spiritual progress over multiple

Show More
Related
502 Words | 3 Pages

The nomadic threats in China continued for a long period of time and also Confucianism, which is philosophical teachings that was a major part of China’s bureaucracy is still taught all over Lu 7 Asia now as well as ancestral worships. Confucianism is the religion and belief system of most of Asia. It maintained a focus on family and the relationships in the family. Because of Buddhism and Confucianism being so popular, Confucianists mixed beliefs of Buddhism with Confucianism which led to Neo-Confucianism. Civil service exams were based on the teachings.

Read More
1110 Words | 5 Pages

Because the Chinese during the Tang dynasty liked to create statues, they created a statue of Buddha, which represents the blend of cultures with the religion because of the Chinese’s devotion to the religion. Zong Mi, a leading Buddhist scholar, described that “Confucius, Laozi and the Buddha were perfect sages.” and states that their teachings were similar and that “...they must be observed with respect.” (Doc 6). Confucianism, founded by Confucius, and Daoism (Taoism) founded by Laozi are philosophies that were all founded in China and was very popular to Chinese people. With the spread of Buddhism in China, Zong Mi wanted to compare the three philosophies together to where they blend with one another, so that Buddhism would be a religion that can be accepted into the Chinese

Read More
641 Words | 3 Pages

Document 1 describes “The Four Noble Truths” which were preached by the Buddha. The document shows the steps necessary to obtain enlightenment which appealed to lower-class citizens. Document 1 also shows a connection between Daoism and Buddhism by referring to “the Way” which is the Daoist path to enlightenment while Nirvana is the Buddhist path to enlightenment. Document 2 shows the instability and lack of structure in China following the fall of the Han dynasty. Zhi Dun was a Buddhist and a Chinese scholar who is guiding Chinese aristocrats and high officials indicating doubt within Confucianism.

Read More
738 Words | 3 Pages

― Lao Tzu, Tao Te The Ancient religious traditions of Daoism and Shinto both provide distinctive responses to the search for meaning for their adherents due to becoming more than just an aspect of their life, but a way to live their life. This is conveyed through the specific principal beliefs, supernatural powers and deities and rituals which belong to each religious tradition. Both religious traditions provide an answer to the search for meaning through their set principal beliefs.

Read More
394 Words | 2 Pages

Regarding the four Chinese philosophers: Legalism, Daosim, Confucianism, and Buddishm. There are multiple similarities and differences between them all regarding how a state should mainly be ruled. Confucianism is a value system based on social order and obedience. Daoism was a religion of world peace that warned its believers against dealing too much in issues. Legalism wants organized, totalitarian rules and hard punishments against their community.

Read More
1732 Words | 7 Pages

Buddhism, since it is a foreign religion can never match the true beauty and value of a religion such as Confucianism that is a classic in Chinese culture. An anonymous Chinese scholar once argued about how “If Buddhism is the greatest and most venerable of ways, why did the great sages of the past and Confucius not practice it? In the Confucian Classics no one mentions it” (Doc 3). Not only did the anonymous Chinese scholar consider Buddhism as “outlandish”, but he makes an argument stating that if it was so great, why were the principles of Buddhism not incorporated into Confucianism, a religion that has been around much longer and has had greater influence. Buddhism also did not bode well with the reemergence of the imperial authority as jealousy arose among the elites since Buddhist monasteries were able to evade taxes, but continue to gain funds and riches.

Read More
402 Words | 2 Pages

I imagine we get reincarnated whether we do wrong or rights. Even though I fancy in a God, I somewhat follow Buddha’s teachings in which they believe in finding enlightenment. This can also help serve with the moral I follow. With the teaching of Buddha, They are trying to reach enlightenment by doing the rights more than the wrongs. It sorta helps each other.

Read More
501 Words | 3 Pages

Similar to Confucius, Laozi also sought out a solution to create harmony in a world full of chaos and fragmentation. But Laozi found the solution through Daosim. The three ideas, the Dao, wuwei and yin and yang, are three key concepts in Daoism that leads to the harmony that Laozi strived for. These ideas, although created hundreds of years ago, still deeply influence Chinese thinking and culture

Read More
434 Words | 2 Pages

The religions of Confucianism and Daoism are alike because of the fact that they want peace and good behavior. Buddhists, on the other hand, strictly have the plan to reach Nirvana and follow The Four Noble Truths. The general goal of Confucian is different than Buddhism and Taoism because the general goal of the Confucius is to find a harmonious and peaceful place in life, while Buddhism and Taoism have no general goal. Daoism is not seen as a belief centered religion. Both Daoism and Confucianism originated from China.

Read More
843 Words | 4 Pages

Introduction Daoism and Buddhism are two different religions that guide people how to live a good life. They also teach the important values of life to people. They have similar beliefs as both of them believe in the life after death and cycle of life never end. However, Daoism and Buddhism have different views and beliefs about the life after death. In Buddhism, it aims to obtain the enlightenment and releases from the cycle of rebirth and death.

Read More
491 Words | 2 Pages

During the reformation across Europe, there was many forward thinkers who were able to make sense of the ‘pressing problems’ of their day and age. One philosopher in particular, John Locke, was able to press on, and make sense of the problems that he faced in England during his time. However, the philosophers Locke, More, and Hobbes, contributed to society through the various arguments that they brought about. The arguments placed by Locke, Hobbes, and More in society acted as a building block for people in society to either follow, or disregard.

Read More
217 Words | 1 Pages

Daoism and Confucianism are very different philosophies. The thought of the two ruling together is very hard and unrealistic to imagine, but not impossible. Both believe in very basic morals such as, not stealing, cheating, lying, or killing. They also believe in treating people well. Daoism strongly believes every living thing including bugs are equal.

Read More
462 Words | 2 Pages

In Confucianism Ren and Li enable one to preserve the Dao, when an individual’s Benevolence and the proper manners or behavior pattern combine, a mystical power is produced with human and spiritual relations. Only through ritualized interactions with others and with the spirits can one realize one’s full potential as a human being. Daoism Dao is the primordial entity that exist in an undifferentiated state prior to the coming into being of the myriad things. Daoism evolved out of the same ancient Chinese religious mindset as Confucianism

Read More
775 Words | 4 Pages

Similarities and Differences between Confucianism and Daoism Doaism and Confucianism are the top two ancient styles of living in China, where they both originated in 550 B.C.E (before common era). I believe that Daoism and Confucianism are both the top religions/styles of living in Ancient China, while they have some similarities they are much more different than they are similar. Both are not only ways of living but, they are a way of life. Confucianism is the belief in setting good examples for other people to follow. They are based off of the five key relationships of the ancient chinese society.

Read More
835 Words | 4 Pages

Confucianism and Taoism Confucianism is the foundation of traditional Chinese culture in addition to the full ideological system formed by Confucius on the conventional culture of the Shang, Xia and Zhou dynasties. It dominated the feudal community and has lasted for 2000 years, hence its effects in social, culture, history in Chinese cannot be assumed. However, it has been changed with time and still remains an item of learning, social code of Chinese and source of values. Its influence has likewise enlarged to other nations especially in Vietnam, Japan and Korea. Some people do not consider Confucianism as a religion since it has no deities or teachings concerning the afterlife (Xinzhong, 2000).

Read More

More about Differences And Similarities Between Daoism And Confucianism

Related Topics

Open Document