Daoism And Buddhism Similarities

Confucianism is the philosophy that would be the most stable comparing to Legalism and Daoism. First of all, the goal of Confucianism was to have a society that was peaceful and just. This means that Confucius wasn't a violent man. It shows that he wanted peace. His purpose wasn't to rule everything around him; it was the complete opposite.

Daoist thought is holistic and universal, based on the observation of relationships among all phenomena (Jung, 1997). The Dao is a concept that is difficult to explain. It is described as that which is within everything, as a certain philosophy of living, and as a “Way” or path to enlightenment. Watts (1993) describes it as “a vast Oneness that precedes and in some mysterious manner generates the endlessly diverse forms of the world” (p.xxvii). The Dao is often explained in metaphorical terms, and through the use of other poetic literary devices such as rhyming and repetition. The Dao is expressed eloquently through the visual images and stories portrayed in Miyazaki’s films. The characters in Princess Mononoke also express attributes of the

According to Hindu and Buddhist scriptures both believed in karma and reincarnation. Both religions have a common goal of life to attain nirvana or salvation, although they adopted different paths to reach their goal. Buddhism denies the authority of the Vedas and dislikes animal sacrifice, while Hinduism

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. Confucianism believes that people eventually with following Confucianism beliefs and becoming a gentleman then you are perfect and equal to everyone.

Confucians heavily emphasized bettering the community through active learning. On the other hand, Daoists prefer a more passive approach where they withdrew themselves from the problem in order to solve it (Benjamin 9). Also, unlike Confucius, the Daoists thought about the metaphysical, such as whether or not death is really something to be feared (Benjamin 9). Nature is a large focus in Daoism, something to be respected, while Confucians emphasize respect towards humans (Benjamin 9). Even so, both Daoism and Confucianism values are adopted by many of the modern day Chinese, where they will be Confucians in the workplace and Daoists when they get some time to explore their inner selves (Benjamin

Dao in Confucianism represents the entire normative human order. The Dao in Daoism antedates Tian and acts as the basis of the natural order. While in Confucian Dao they hold the ideal political-social-ethical order ordained by tian for the people. Confucianism encourages their perfectibility through self-effort the teaching of ethics and good movement. The primacy of the Confucian Dao requires superior human beings, sages and men of virtue to exert their highest effort to actualized its ideal design. While the Daoist purpose as the pro creator of the cosmos and everything in it to recognize the universal importance of the human body, physical

Daoist philosophy places emphases on an instinctive awareness, supported by balanced contact with nature, and rejects everything that is not natural. The principles of the Daoist encouraged isolation from humanity for personal development in nature and attaining balance between yin and yang. Confucian philosophy seeks order and social stability. The philosophy states that junzi (superior person) who has ren (human heartedness), exemplifies the ideal social order sought. An individual could become a junzi by promoting certain qualities like understanding of suffering and a quest of morality and righteousness. Confucius and his disciple Mencius had an influence on Chinese thought and social practice. Chinese traditions of worshiping deceased ancestors and exceptional leaders inspired the growth of Confucianism as a philosophic custom and religion. Confucianism was established as the state’s official doctrine by Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty. However, both philosophies of Confucianism and Daoism believed that anyone can develop wisdom or skill, regardless of social status or birth.

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.

When thinking about religions, you may not realize that many of them played a huge role in history. They helped unite people, set social standards, and create features of different cultures. Two examples of this is Hinduism and Buddhism. They helped shape each other and are similar in many ways, though they still have differences.

Zong Mi, a leading Buddhist scholar defends Buddhism by praising it as it was established “according to the demands of the age and the needs of various beings” during a time of need. (Doc 5) Also, in Zong Mi’s defense of Buddhism he is careful not to criticize Confucianism or Daoism as to avoid angering Emperor Wu after his revival of the imperial structure, instead he calls the founder’s of these religions “perfect sages.” (Doc 5) On the other hand, the Buddha simply lays out the basic principles of how to achieve nirvana in the Buddhist tradition of “The Four Noble Truths.” These traditions come straight from the Buddha’s sacred texts, so it suggests that all followers of the Buddha would share these same beliefs. In addition, this document does not explicitly encourage the spread of Buddhism or advise against its opposing religion of Confucianism. In fact, these two documents remain pretty indifferent towards Buddhism’s spread into China, only defending it when

Daoism believed it was impossible to figure out the universe, so in essence, going with the flow was ideal. Instead of focusing on one’s duty and action, it focused on letting nature take its course as a way of providing universal harmony. They This gave individualist more power to control their own realities, therefore creating universal harmony. Whereas, Legalism focused on the fact that strict laws that if broken, were punishable, would create proper behavior, Daoism’s belief is if one experiences good, it now has knowledge of what isn’t good or evil and again would act accordingly. Popular Daoism became more religious based with the practice of rituals to obtain heavenly rewards. Daoist sorcerers would even perform rituals to give an individual mind power to achieve power, long life, a good sex life, and ultimately heavenly

The Dao or ¨the way¨ is a universal force and the guide to all things. The way is where all creatures live in harmony except humans. Instead humans must find a way to relate to nature without riches or power. The way states that you should not fight over good and bad and accept things the way they are. The good and bad should be balanced out like the Yin and Yang. Yin is supposed to be cold dark and mysterious while Yang is supposed to be warm and bright. The quote “shoulder Yin and embrace Yang” means that evan though there is both good and bad, you can choose to block out the bad and embrace the good. No changes must be made to the world around you that might even the slightest bit effect and change the possible future. The behavior people must follow is to act in harmony and be humble, quiet, and thoughtful. “And the one who has the way does not abide in them” (document 7). Meaning that the people who have “the way” do not participate in wrong doings and is peaceful. Daoists believe that being in total peace, evening the good and the bad, and not changing anything will make them one with the Dao but also living in harmony just like the

Buddhism believed followers abandon family for their teachers. Because Buddhism was centralized on a life immersed in religious teachings, teachers were the main leaders for Buddhists, meaning the emperor’s ability to rule would be demolished, as Buddhists will only look up to and serve as instructed to by their teachers, ignoring the orders of the emperor. The presence of Buddhism would also end up eradicating the form of government in China. Document #6 mentions how Buddhists were not productive to Chinese economy and relied on laborers to feed and clothe them. If Buddhists weren’t working, that implies they spent their whole lives on worship. If they focused on worship so much, it meant there would be no need for a government since their teachers are practically their rulers, and they didn’t really interact with neighboring people. Government wouldn't be needed to maintain control since daily life revolved around worship. Zong Mi believes that Buddhism led to the creation of an organized state. Zong Mi, a Buddhist, Chinese official, wrote document #5 in the early 9th century (after the fall of the Han) with an open and supportive tone, stating that Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism were all respectable practices with the same outcome (an orderly society). This piece was meant to be heard, and written for everyone, to say that these three practices should be viewed with

It can be said that opposites attract as well as complement each other. Within the religions of Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto lay harmony, respect, and ethical behavior towards nature, ancestors, oneself, and others. Although Daoism and Confucianism are native to China and Shinto to Japan, East Asian cultures integrate these religions and practices with openness and acceptance. They are the light and dark without reference to good or bad as the opposites necessitate one another. (Fisher, 2014, 201) Instead the interwoven religions of Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto compliment each other in addition to having distinct differences.

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