Christianity And Confucianism Similarities

Can a person be a Christian and follow Buddhist traditions? In comparison to ancient times, today it is not unusual for a person to identify as both a Christian and a Buddhist. Though Christians and Buddhists have been interacting since ancient times, it is now that the topic of dual belonging has become more common. How can a person be both a Christian and Buddhist when both are significantly different from the other in practice and in belief? Dual belonging is becoming a common practice in the Western world. This paper will compare Christianity and Buddhism and explain the concept and practice of dual belonging.

Christianity and Islam are two of the world’s largest religions. The two are different in beliefs but are similar in origin. Like many religions both Islam and Christianity claim to be the one and only true way to God. Although Islam and Christianity differ in major ways, they also share some similarities.

There are many parts of Christianity that differentiate it from other religions, but for the sake of your time and immediate sanity- I will only delve into three of them. Upon identifying them, you might face some initial confusion, but know that I will explain each one in depth, so that you can completely wrap your mind around them. Grace, the Doctrine of the Trinity, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ are all characteristics that comprise a Christian’s relationship with God. All three of these topics set apart Christianity from other religions that claim to have the real truth.

Asia was shaped during the classical era by different religions that influenced it socially and politically. Confucianism and Islam are two beliefs that came about during the Classical period of China and Islam. However, they both flourished in China, and both became very different religions and philosophies. Although both beliefs possessed a few similarities, they were still two very distinct. Where the two beliefs compare in minor topics such as a caste system, they differ in beliefs as a whole. Confucianism is a philosophy, not a religion, and is a very unique idea. Whereas, Islam is in fact a religion and can be compared to the religion of Christianity.

Christianity believes in one god that is represented trough the trinity: Father, son, and holy spirit The trinity is sometimes confusing to non-christens who think the trinity represents three gods. Christianity grew out of Judaism, Jew's who accepted Jesus as the messiah were considered to be Christians. My Professor Steven Rossi said "The Jews were a strong influence on early Christan church" ,and he is correct, Jewish tradition and bible were used until the new testament was created. Christians are expected to follow the 10 commandments from the old testament also they are expected to follow Jesus's teachings called the two great commandments. The two great commandments display the main focus of many Christians which is love god and love your neighbor following these laws allows christens to reach heaven. (Molly 343-347)

Hinduism and Confucianism are two well known religions that have been around for thousands of years. they have a lot of similarities, but also some differences. Both religions are located in Asia, while Hinduism is mainly in India, and Confucianism is in China. Both religions are based around the people’s actions as well as the meaning of life, which are shown through their strict society and social structures. Even though they’re different, both religions have 3 principles or values they go by. They are two of the most peaceful religions on the planet, with both their goals being to bring order in human existence, they both look to bettering the lives of the people within them. Hinduism and Confucianism both believe very much in education and social statues, which is why they have strict policies on them. They have both influenced philosophy greatly since their existence in the early times. Overall, both Hinduism and Confucianism look for the common good that will help enforce peace and brotherhood. Their belief systems go on a basis of making their followers act accordingly, helping to run their government and set a stable mindset for its people.

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

Despite the similarities between the two, differences that may prevent one from being both a Christian and a Confucian exist. According to Huang (2009), differences between them are seen in their ways of thinking. One of the apparent striking differences is in their beliefs. Christians have faith in a single God who created everything in the universe. God is considered to be distinct from human beings. God is purely spiritual, unlike a human being who has a physical and spiritual segment. Nevertheless, Confucians have no particular person as their god (Doyle and Chang, 2014). Confucius never

There are a number of similarities between the eastern religions and philosophies of Confucianism, Buddhism and Hinduism. While Hinduism is centered around a supreme being, Buddhism and Confucianism are centered around the teachings of a man. Each encourages moral behavior, ethical values, such as non-violence, charity, and a respect for the universe. To better understand the philosophical similarities and differences between Confucianism, Buddhism and Hinduism, it is important first to consider the teachings of Buddha, Patanjali and Confucius in their historical context.

Christianity is a monotheistic (believing in one God) religion, which is based on the “teachings of Jesus.” Deemed the son of God, Jesus walked around town helping those in need and preaching the words of his father, served as a role model, exemplifying to others how to live life selflessly. His life was short lived, “at the age 33, he was crucified on the cross.” Christians believe that God sacrificed his only son for the forgiveness of their own sins, which they give thanks for throughout the year at Christmas, Lent, and Easter. One of the most prominent figures in the Christian church is the cross. The most important book in Christianity is the Bible, which they consider sacred and holy. It is a doctrine that holds all Jesus’s teachings, which have been broken up into 2 parts: “old testament and new testament.” In the Bible, individuals will find a set of guidelines (10

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.

Although Islam and Confucianism represent two totally different worldviews, they have similar characteristics, which provide a potential idea, that both can be from a common source. Mirza Tahir Ahmad, who was a Caliph in Ahmadiyya Muslim community, supported this idea in his book “Revelation, Nationality, Knowledge & Truth”. He supports his idea saying, “All humans are God’s creation; it stands to reason that God not only guided people in the Middle East through Abrahamic prophets. He also guided other people through prophets like Confucius, Buddha and Zoroaster.” His claim is based on the existence of common themes between Islamic and Confucian teachings. Another supporting evidence is that God in one of the verses of Quran in which He

More importantly, the main beliefs in both religions have points in common. Buddhism and Christianity teach people and help them to escape the sufferings, and both of them

Christians are called to give up everything in order to put Jesus first in their life; Christians are called to put Jesus first in their life so that they

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.