Ideal Practitioners in Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism each have their own ideal practitioners described in their teachings. These ideal practitioners provide a role-model and an ideal path for their followers. They also help followers and outsiders understand the important values of each tradition. In regards to Buddhism, this paper will delve into two ideal practitioners; one from Theravāda Buddhism and the other from Mahāyāna Buddhism. Theravāda Buddhism’s ideal practitioner is called an arhat (or Arahant). An arhat as stated by Rahula is “a person who has liberated himself from all defilements and impurities such as desire, hatred, ill-will, ignorance, pride, conceit, etc.” (Rahula, 1959). Their belief is that there can only be one Buddha, so a fully enlightened person that came after Buddha is called an arhat. After a person becomes an arhat, they leave this world because their main goal is finished, and they have reached the end of their path. …show more content…
Buddhism’s ideal practitioners focus on wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. Buddhists seek knowledge, act properly, and mediate to obtain liberation. These traits contrast Taoism by Taoists believing knowledge is not something to strive for because it leads to desire, which leads to forceful action. Although, The Analects by Confucius has a theme of wisdom and learning, which parallels Buddhist’s values for wisdom. Confucianism is also similar to Buddhism in the importance of proper behavior. Both religions put an emphasis on behaving appropriately in society and in the home. Confucianism shows this in the theme of filial piety and benevolence, and Buddhism shows this in the ethical conduct section of the Noble Eightfold