Comparing Confucianism And Daoism

Confucianism and Daoism are both chinese religions. They both incorporated religious practices with daily activities in a way that it pertained to philosophy as well as religion, making the secular sacred. Confucianism was grounded in ethics and virtuous socio-political conditions. Daoism, also known as Taoism, sought to establish the proper relation between humans and the cosmos through discernment of the Tao, or Way. Confucianists are more concerned with social relationships and Taoism is of a more broader nature and more mystically oriented and more philosophical. They both focused on relationships that humans had with each other as well as the relationships that humans had with nature. They were atheistic in a sense that they had no

The most important things about past civilizations and their movements includes their major advances in government, military, religion, arts, and intellect. Throughout the times of each civilization, or movement, they have progressed greatly up to what we have today. For instance, Rome, Medieval Europe, China, and the Renaissance.

Confucianism and Taoism are some of the major religions in China. They have greatly influenced the culture of the Chinese people as well as their world view. The connection between the two religions has influenced many people over time. It can also be said that when the principles of both philosophies are put together, the outcome is a well-rounded person. The following is a discussion of the principles and philosophies behind these two religions as well as how the two religions interact and connect to influence an individual.

As turmoil spread across China people sought to find peace and order. As 500 B.C. and 200 B.C. passed three philosophers tried to seek ways to spread peace. Confucianism, Daoism and Legalism were the philosophers solutions. Villages fell as armies sent to destroy neighboring enemies. As the Period of the Warring States commenced thousands of people died in battles they never wanted to fight. As the clashed went on, Confucius, Laozi, and Hanfeizi created three major theories developed.

Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism were the three political beliefs and institutions of Classical China. Confucianism was about the connection between personal virtue and a stable political life. It emphasizes having respect for other people, especially one’s social superiors. It taught people ethics and loyalty to their government. Daoism, on the other hand, was the belief in harmony and balance among people and the world around them. It embraces the idea of magic and the mystery of nature. Daoism greatly influenced science and art in China. Legalism was the harshest of these beliefs. Legalists promoted discipline and a state that ruled by force. Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism are all different but each contributed to Classical Chinese philosophy.

The religions, Confucianism and Taoism, both originate from indigenous Chinese beliefs and practices. Although they come from the same area in the world, they have several differences alongside their similarities. Additionally, they both are influenced by the Tao; however, they have different meanings behind the concept. Taoism can be summed up as appreciating all that is natural; whereas Confucianism is ideal society model created through a lifetime of relationship dedication. Neither of these religions worship a “god,” but they do have their own unique form of worship. The likenesses and differences of Confucianism and Taoism can be found in their beliefs and concepts of self-cultivation, texts, and society and nature.

Confucianism has been a predominant school of thought in China for ages and is a cornerstone of Chinese culture. Its influence on human relationships and ethical

East Asian culture brought to us three distinct and enlightening religions, Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. These religions are all very different and unique they have very unique ties that bind. Daoism and Confucianism were both brought into fruition during the Shang dynasty around 1600 to 1046 BCE in China (1) while Shinto is an ancient religion to which we do not have a defined date of conception. The most forward similarities Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto share are State Cult, and ancestor worship (although Shinto practices ancestor veneration (2)). Now let’s take a more in-depth look at these unique and wonderful East Asian religions!

During ancient China, there were two main religions. The two religions were Confucianism and Daoism. Both of these religions did not entirely agree with each other. However, people believed in one or the other, or parts of each. Both of the religions were important to the country of China.

Confucianism and Daoism are complex Chinese philosophies that are seemingly at odds with each other. Confucianism stresses the importance of respect, relationships, and social activism, while Daoism recommends withdrawal and introspection as a solution to one's problems. Although it appears impossible for these two ideals to exist simultaneously in one culture, they exist as natural and logical solutions to problems, and are present globally. Because Confucianism and Daoism are philosophies and not actual religions, they can easily assimilate into any culture, including America's, resulting in positive and negative consequences.

Daoism is one of the main philosophical traditions in China and the East. Daoism uses nature as a guide to understand the way to live and by using common themes like the Yin and Yang and The ‘One’ or better known as the child, the Daoist Sage reflects a harmonised way of living. These two themes from chapters stated above help identify the meaning of Daoism, and what this way of living reflects.

The term “Confucianism” is often regarded as a complex mechanism of social, political, moral as well as religious beliefs that have considerable influence especially upon the civilizations belonging to the East Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea along with Singapore and Vietnam. With reference to the observation made by Reid (1999), it can be viewed that a clear depiction about different principles and beliefs exists within the sphere of “Confucianism”. Therefore, the major purpose of this report is to briefly review of T. R. Reid’s book “Confucius Lives Next Door: What Leaving In The East Teaches Us About Living In the West” through concisely unfolding the experience of

When Western people think of Confucianism, they often think of it in a past sense- as something only relevant to ancient China that cannot be applied to modern day society. However, what these people fail to realize is that Confucianism’s roots have been so integrated into China’s society that the values have become a part of every day life. Without having to explicitly state that they are following specifics aspects of Confucianism, most Chinese people submit to them, often times unknowingly. However, Confucian values not only exist in the Chinese society, but also permeate into other areas of Chinese culture such as architecture and aspects of Feng-Shui.

Buddhism is a religion that is practiced by millions of people across the world. It is a religion that heavily focuses on a variety of traditions, beliefs, and spiritual practices that are based on the teachings of the Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama. Periodically viewed as a philosophy or a religion, the teaching of Confucius also known as Confucianism, is concerned with primarily ethnical principles; the way of life. Buddhism and Confucianism are both spiritual beliefs that sought ways to end peoples suffering across the world. For those that practice the Buddhist faith or that of Confucius can see many of the similarities and differences that both these practices share. To understand the similarities and differences one needs to be exposed to the pathways of Confucianism and Buddhism.

Daoism is synonymous with Taoism; in this religious philosophy, the way of nature is central theme of life. It was founded by Lao Tzu in 500BC in China. Lao is believed to have authored the “Dao de Jing”, which details the Daoist beliefs. Dao is a concept, a way, a principle that will lead a person to a happy, peaceful life. Dao can be achieved by incorporating the Three Jewel of Taoism that are humility, simplicity and compassion in one’s life. According to Dao, de Jing “The Way to Heaven is to benefit others and not to injure”.15 Further, there is no concept of good and evil, the Dao is simply the universe, which is perceived as a self- sustaining entity that generates energy called qi. Like other Chinese traditions, Daoist also have great reverence for the spirits of ancestors as well as spirits of nature that is plants, animals, rivers, etc. 16