Religion is unique in several different ways, but each religion has the same core values and guidelines that intertwine with one another. However, I do agree Confucius and Buddha are indeed incredibly comparable. Confucius and Buddha encouraged, believed, and aspired deeply to share their teachings. Although, Confucius struggled more than Buddha to spread his teachings, Confucius’ main goal of humanity still thrives in China’s civilization. On the other hand, Buddha’s message of trying to end suffering and preserve humanity was spread quickly and used effectively.
Moreover, Buddha and Confucius came from entirely unique backgrounds, their message still had a connection and held similar values. According to The life of The Buddha, “Buddha was a symbol of peace, symbol of compassion {and} symbol of nonviolence.” Buddha cared immensely about preserving life, he up and left his wife and child to travel to find wisdom. Also, the life of the Buddha claims, “Most western are not drawn to Buddhism as a way for leaving society behind, {they are} drawn to the practice of mediation, they way to be more effective in society” (Balawegaya,
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However, their teachings were original, admirable, and remarkable throughout their countries and still remain powerful today. In addition, The Biography of Confucius states that “2500 years after his death, Confucius influences more people than he had ever dreamed possible, and today is booming Asia his teachings have brought paralleled prosperity millions who believe as he did in hard work, education from the capacity of every human being to succeed” (Biography Confucius, 2015). Buddha tried to endeavor for individuals to reach internal peace and happiness. Essentially, Confucius and Buddha have an impressive impact on society that their journey’s, uplifting message, and themselves have remained one of the most used and influential religions as of
“It is often said that, aside from the impact of Marxism on twentieth-century China, the only other time when the Chinese looked beyond their own borders for intellectual sustenance was during the period when Buddhism was absorbed from India” (LaFleur 23). Why did this religion appeal to the Chinese when they disregarded so many other external influences? After all, being tied to the rest of the world by the Silk Road meant they were constantly inundated with novel concepts from far and wide. The answer must lie in how Buddhism interacted with the other faiths already established in the country, namely Confucianism and Daoism (sometimes spelled Taoism). While at first glance it may appear that Confucian China would be the last place
A thing that appealed the people of the Classical Period about this two religions and led to the spread and evangelization of them was the fact that they both promised their followers salvation. As it is stated in the paragraph before their followers state of salvation was achieved when reaching the Nirvana or Heaven. During the Classical Period people were in a state of chaos, the lower class was losing the lands they used for agriculture, middle class’ trade was being affected, and upper class were losing power. These three different social classes needed the hope of salvation, the one that Buddhism and Christianity could give them. Another thing that appealed about these two religions, specially to the lower class was the Universality of it. You were spiritually equal to Buddha or God no matter what, not even social class or race. Also, both of them were against slavery. At last, was how personal it was. You could directly interact with God or Buddha by praying or meditating, which supposedly will help you and direct you throughout your life.
“Happiness does not depend on what you have or who you are, it solely relies on what you think”, The Buddha. Buddhism is a message of deep enlightenment for the spiritual mind set of breaking the chain of reincarnation to achieve nirvana. Buddhism was founded by a man named Siddhartha Gautama who lived five hundred years ago. He spawned a spiritual enlightenment for the mind which we call Buddhism and eventually it came to the United States. Buddha, spreading his teachings of the four noble truths throughout Asia and many parts of the world that would someday enlighten the minds of the American culture and help lead people to a higher state of enlightenment. Over many hundreds of years Buddhism has transformed into many sects throughout history and is becoming one of the many fastest growing religion in America. (Pew, 31-33).
The founder of Buddhism is Buddha Siddhartha, born 624 in present-day Nepal. His name means “Awakened One.” A Buddha is somebody who has awoken from sleep and suddenly sees things truthfully. As Buddha grew up, he could speak sixty-four different languages and was a good mathematician. He often visited poor and old people, and realized that every person would one day experience sufferings, for example, sickness and death. Because Buddha believed in reincarnation, he became aware of the fact that everyone would experience these sufferings in a never-ending cycle. This caused him to feel sympathy for them and himself, and so he wished that they could all escape suffering. Thus, this created the religion of Buddhism.
Matt, I do agree that there are similarities between Hinduism and Confucianism; however, despite both societies, placing a premium hierarchy and authoritarianism, their internal motivations and ethical paradigms are widely divergent. I am going to incorporate the input you provided on my original thread regarding this topic as well. I tend to recycle my rhetoric so bear with me.
Buddha is one of the wisest religious leaders in the world. He has forever influenced the world with his wise outlook on the world. He has shown people that being a kind person is more important than riches he or she inherits. Buddha’s number one goal was to put a stop to suffering (Thero). Buddha hated seeing others struggle and wanted to see them live a happy life and encourage everyone to be kind to everyone around you. Because of his simplicity, patience, and compassion, Buddha taught many people that wealth doesn’t measure how great of a person he or she is.
It is worth noting that Confucianism focuses on the human quest for perfection of moral character. While both Mencius and Hsun Tzu were avowed Confucians, the held opposing views concerning human nature. The two
Buddhism and Confucianism were very different from each other. One reason is Buddhism’s creator was Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. While Confucianism was created by Confucius. Another reason is Buddhism and Confucianism had different goals. The goal of Buddhism was to reach nirvana. Nirvana means the perfect state of peace. Confucianism’s goal was to make sure there was respect, social harmony, and proper roles on society. Confucianism was all about respect. Buddhism was all about peace. Buddhism meditated and fasted, while Confucianism followed
Confucius’s ideology included the belief that people behave exceptionally because it's in their spirit to do so. Incredibly, with the cruel, bloody wars surrounding him, he was able to have this set of mind. He desperately looked for ways to bring structure to deal with those devastating times. Education and intelligence bring people together and he believed that everyone should have the opportunity to learn. From then on, a person's position in the social hierarchy hinged on their education, rather than their birth. Being raised in a violent society, he sought peace and enlightenment. His empowering thoughts punched brutal wars right out of the way. While Confucius was raised in struggling times, the Buddha had a great life ahead of him as someone not only at
Confucius Lives Next Door is a book by journalist and author T.R Reid about how the teachings of Confucius has greatly influenced Asian society. Confucius was an Chinese philosopher, political, editor and teacher born 29 September 551 BC.The main teachings of Confucius are Jen-human goodness;what gives people with humanity,Li- benefit of order;acting for one 's role in society, respect for all ages,Te-the power of example,Ye-moral sense,Hsiao-filial piety and Chih-all people are born good.
Confucianism has easily been influential in the development of the Chinese state through history. In fact, the core ideals of Confucianism have evolved. Despite the harsh repression of Confucianism by Marxist revolutionaries during the second half of the twentieth century, Confucian values continues to be influential in Chinese society and recently, Confucian political philosophy has resurfaced again. In addition, the political ideas and social ethics of Confucianism can provide the basis for a new, functional form of government in China. Confucianism can be a viable political philosophy for China in the twenty first century because many intellectuals have turned to Confucianism to make sense of such social
How would you compare the lives and teachings of Jesus and Buddha? Well, Buddha never considered himself to be a god of any type. He just thought of himself as a person to shower other people with gifts and wealth. As far as Jesus, he was looked at as “The way, the truth, and the life.”.
“Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draws it. Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves (Siddhartha Guatama, n.d).” Siddhartha Guatama is recognized as the leader and the founder of the Buddhist religion. He was a prince in 5th century B.C.E that opted to give up all possessions and begin a life in the forest, seeking enlightenment. While living and meditating in the forest, underneath a large tree, he discovered the way to eliminate suffering. Through this change to his life, he acquired important wisdom that shaped the formation of Buddhism. His teachings are the foundation of the religion, but even more than that, they are what I believe to be very important in shaping yourself as a human being.
Confucius faced a lot of troubles during his time, mainly from his unpopularity with the feudal leaders of China – way back when China was still divided by states. Although Confucius is considered to be the greatest teachers today, he considered himself a failure since he never attained a significant role in the government or be an adviser to a leader who would listen to him in his life time. Confucius would never know how his ideology greatly influenced a lot of people, and systems – not only in China, but to several parts of the world, as well.
Throughout history, there have been historical figures that have changed the way we think in the world. These people are called philosophers. Philosophers are people who view the world in a different way with theories and questions in ethics and logic. They do not see the world as just black and white; they are the ones that discover color in between. They find a deeper meaning to what black and white really is. Although, it may seem like something so simple to the average person, a philosopher would see it is another world of hidden meanings. Some famous philosophers throughout time are people like Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle who shaped the way Greeks thought the way they did in history. They were the foundation of not only their