Daoism And Confucianism

China has been the home to various religions. At different times different dynasties endorsed certain religions while repressing others. While Buddhism flourished during the Sui and Tang dynasty, it faced opposition from the government during the Song dynasty. Confucianism lost government endorsement during the Sui and Tang but gained momentum during the Song as Neo-Confucianism. Yuan dynasty promoted Islam and Tibet Buddhism but ignored Confucianism. Different rulers sponsored and protected different religions but Confucianism and some form of Buddhism have always been alive in Chinese society from 600 to 1450.

The Han dynasty collapsed in 220 CE bringing with it a great deal of destruction. Buddhism, which was founded in India in the 6th century BCE, made its way to China in the first century. As it traveled it gained many followers and popularity, especially with the lower classes of the Chinese Dynasties because they were greatly disrespected. Buddhism rejected the idea of the social classes thus appealing to the impoverished. Many people accepted Buddhism, however some used it as the basis for many political and social injustices. Furthermore, a group of people remained indifferent and tried to unite the two groups.

In another way, Daoism was based upon the teachings and writings of Laozi, whose views varied from the ideals of Confucianism. In summary, there has been a transformation in the Chinese culture due to founding contemporaries the philosophies workings of the three major social beliefs, Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. The three major social belief systems faced issues such as political order, humane treatment and how to unified society. Although there are distinct similarities and differences between the groups each established their own defined game plan or path in search of an optimistic future for china in order to solve or evict the many problems that plagued everyday

Daoism has everything to do with nature. It plays the most important role in human development and knowledge . It states that humans should help

Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism were the three main philosophies in ancient China for a form of government. I state that Daoism is the most effective form of government because it is based around balance: balance in nature and opposites of the universe. Daoism has the highest number of followers at around 20 million people among the three philosophies. Daoism is concerned with helping people live in harmony with their self.

After its spread into China during the first century CE, Buddhism received several responses and perspectives over the course of the centuries that followed. Initially, people began to accept Buddhism when it was first introduced because they wanted stability after the collapse of the Han Dynasty during 220 CE as it promoted security. As time went on, people began to see the faults of Buddhism as imperial structure was restored in China during the Sui and Tang Dynasties around 570 CE, along with Confucianism being implemented once again. In between these responses were those who had an intermediate and neutral response to Buddhism, seeing it as equal to other philosophies at the time.

On top of being advantageous for the justification of Wu’s throne, the adoption of Buddhism also benefitted the Chinese government. Wu’s openhanded policies towards Buddhism and her proclamation of an era of peace brought the empire economic stability and prosperity (Smarr Feb. 17 2012). The reciprocated correlation between religion and state is clearly identified by Wu’s unambiguous relationship with Buddhism: Wu accepts the previously rejected religion and becomes its primary fiscal source, which ultimately leads to the wide-spread of Buddhism throughout the country, while Buddhism, in return, legitimizes her reign and facilitates the trade routes on the silk roads to the western world, bringing countless advantages to China and significantly boosting the Chinese economy during a peaceful period.

- China had the most profitable and wealthiest economy compared to most of the world via their highly export-based trade.

During the Tang and Song dynasties, Buddhism changed in a way for other beliefs and practices to be involved in. The importation of Buddhist ideas influenced Chinese culture by having schools of Buddhism, borrowing Chinese cultural traditions, and building temples. Monks and scholars coordinated several

Buddhism for centuries, has long been influencing the population all over the world, specifically in China . Buddhism first came to China as a result of merchant traders from India. From there it spread within the merchant community. It mainly expanded because it gave people a sense of hope and faith with the chaos they were experiencing from the collapse of the Han Dynasty. It also spread because it covered what Confucianism lacked; a more spiritual and emotional approach that appealed to many people of different classes. It is because of this that Buddhism spread and was able to influence and greatly affect China during the period of 300-900 CE. Buddhism influenced philosophy and moral teachings, kept the Chinese society peaceful and orderly, as well as affecting the overall economy. Buddhism had strong religious teachings that appealed to the lower class with the idea of afterlife and nirvana as well as an emphasis on following your own path that transformed Chinese beliefs causing a large portion of the population to convert (doc’s 1,4). Buddhism kept the Chinese society orderly by reminding all of Buddha’s life and teachings with statues and the influence it had on monks to spread charity and missionary work (doc’s 2,3,6). Buddhism also had an effect on the economy of China. As it spread from other regions, it caused more farmers and silk producers to convert and spread the religion as monks and nuns. (doc 7,5).

The emperor Taizong gave money to monasteries, sent for more Buddhist books, and created art and statues honoring the Buddhist religion. The empress Wu compose the ultimate dedication to the new faith. She not only created more Buddhist artifacts, but she gave monk more political and social power and requested different scholars to come and teach more of this religion. Wu also injected a law which made Buddhism supersede any other beliefs. So based on the information presented in this paragraph, you can clearly see the political influence on Buddhism and China. Now let’s go over some social effects that helped with the continuous spread of Buddhism through China and central Asia.

They lived in harmony With the Dao (Which meant the way of the Cosmo)and had nothing to with the world of politics and administrative. they also didn’t do anything, yet they still accomplish nothing. Daoism also found it pointless to waste time and energy on challenging problems. Daoism believed that the way to live in happiness was for people to learn and live naturally. The reason why this I didn’t choose this philosopher was because even though it’s a peaceful ,we can't live in harmony with nature without having desire and if they only think by just waiting our chaos will end , it won’t are just going to freak out and do their own thing rather than ending the political and social

Daoism, Chinese philosophical and religious system, dating from about the 4th century BC. Among native Chinese schools of thought, the influence of Daoism has been second only to that of Confucianism.

Daoism is a philosophical theory developed by Lao-tzu advocating a simple honest life and noninterference with the course of natural events. There are some images that come to mind when one thinks of Daoism, such as simplicity, nature, and harmony. When I think of Daoism I think of Winnie the pooh, Ying Yang, and the painting of the 3 sages. These images are the epitome of Daoism, and replicates what Daoism is all about.

Daoism is a Chinese school of thought that stresses the importance of existing in harmony with the Dao, the “Way.” It originated from Laozi, a semi mythical figure who was, allegedly, a contemporary of Confucius. Legend has it that he tried to leave China, but was prevented from doing so by a border guard. The guard stated that Laozi could only pass if he wrote down his teachings in 5000 words. And thus, the primary scripture of Daoism, the Daodejing, came into being. Literally translated, it means “the Book of the Way and its Virtue.” The Dao is not specific to Daoism, it is central to all Chinese traditions, indeed, Confucius mentioned the term in his teachings. However, it has more mystical connotations than Confucian ideology. Daoists believe that the Dao is the source behind existence and the main force that governs it. Superficially, an easy way to differentiate streams of Daoist thought is to separate it into philosophical and religious categories. However, in the Far East, this is not so easily done as the lines between the two are blurred, with some philosophical Daoists believing in Daoist deities; often mirroring imperial China were the Jade Emperor rules with the Celestial Masters, Laozi and the Three Pure Ones. Additionally, Chinese folktales, alchemy, martial arts such as Tai Chi and Buddhism have become integrated with Daoism amongst others. As a result, scholars have argued that a more appropriate distinction is eastern Daoism and westernised Daoism.