Confucianism And Taoism : A Common Thread That Is Observed Within East Asian Religions

China is a very influential world power and has been for many years. The Classical and Post-Classical years in China were a time of achievement and advancement, especially in the religious movement. Post-Classical and Classical China were very important historical periods, and their religions, and the effect of them on the world around them highlighted that importance.

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

A Yiddish Proverb states, ?Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough, but not baked in the same oven? and could easily be used to describe three religions of this world. The third, fourth, and eighth largest religions when ranked by membership numbers are Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism and their individual beliefs are different which will be explored; however, these same three religions rank one, two, and three in the nontheistic religions that do not focus on belief in gods?the one area that all three are the same.

Ancient China: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism were three major religions in ancient China. Confucianism emphasizes the importance of ethical standards and of a well-ordered society. With

Confucianism and Taoism are two well known philosophies from China. Created by Confucius and Lao-tzu, these ideas have developed side by side for more than 2,000 years. Throughout history, these two frames of mind have guided large regions of the world at different times. In American society, these two ideologies would produce very different results should they be implemented. Although they do have certain similarities, Confucianism’s values of Filial Piety and Humaneness would be very beneficial to American society while Taoism’s principals of inaction and individualized independence would be detrimental.

The two Chinese philosophies of Legalism and Confucianism could not be more opposite. Even though two of the writers of Legalism were students of Xinzu, a philosopher of Confucianism, there are more of differences than similarities between the two. Because of this, legalism, which preceded the concept of Confucianism, had a lot of reasons why Confucianism was considered wrong. While towards the fall of the Qin Dynasty, Confucian beliefs started to revamp and become more widely accepted and thus they were blended together to some extent, this was not the case beforehand, in fact it could be argued that blending the two together seemed almost impossible. Confucianism stressed the ideas of the knowledge, humaneness, and filial piety while legalism stressed power, rewards and punishments, and agricultural wealth. Thus from a legalist standpoint, Confucianism was considered wrong because it placed value on virtues instead of the laws, focusing on education to prosper growth and moral character instead of simply obeying societal laws and valuing agricultural wealth rather than humaneness Thus differences far exceed similarities between these two ancient beliefs. However, both have made everlasting marks on Chinese culture and tradition that to this day still exists.

“In many ways, while Confucianism might not, properly speaking, be considered a religion in the traditional sense, it nevertheless provided ideas that better “prepared” China and the Far East for the coming of Buddhism than Taoism.” According to this claim, Confucianism paved the way for the new and upcoming belief of Buddhism. But it also stated that Confucianism better prepared China and the Far East for Buddhism better than Taoism. This statement is essentially correct due to the shared similarities of Confucianism and Buddhism, as well as the stark differences between Taoism and Buddhism.

Confucianism and Daoism are two influential schools of thoughts that have existed in ancient China around the 6th century BCE. The former, led by the politician and philosopher Confucius, proposed that humans live in society according to a set of predefined rules and that they transform society through political action. Whereas the latter, led by the philosopher Lao-Tzu, promoted the idea of inaction; people should go with the flow instead of taking action to control their lives and dominate their surroundings. Although, at first glance Daoism and Confucianism seem to be two opposing philosophies, a more in depth analysis of two of their key ideas –filial piety and education—reveals that they do share some similarities.

Which philosophy: Taoism, Confucianism, or Legalism would be best in your opinion for maintaining a peaceful society? Why?

Confucianism is a religion that is made to be interwoven with other East Asian religions like Taoism and Buddhism. The combination happens because Confucianism along with the other East Asian religions are more like traditions and are better to be seen as having different qualities that add up to the religion of Eastern Asia (Brodd 127). I agree with the idea that East Asia’s religion of different traditions. Confucianism is a religion that focuses mainly on human relationships (Brodd 128). A major goal in Confucianism is learning to be human.

In Chinese history, there were three main philosophies: Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism. These beliefs helped shape Chinese culture as well as Chinese history. Not only did people believe in these ideas, but the three helped to govern the mighty Chinese dynasties. These dynasties all provided an impact to each doctrine; the philosophy that had the greatest impact was legalism because it ended the Warring States Period, provided structure, and strengthened agriculture, and the military of China. Although Confucianism, Taoism and Legalism had a few things in common and at times tried to resolve the same problem, they were very different from each other in their beliefs, character, and ways of life.

Environmentalist a movement that China established to improve and change the environment issues. The government declines nations associated with Non Governmental Organization (NGO) because the organization is a nonbeliever towards god. People can practice religion in China however only in private surrounding with family members. It prohibited religion mediating between the government and citizens. Non governmental organization (NGO) lacks government and are funded by various private or public institutions. The reason why the organization gain power because they understand the needs and resources the low income lack of. Developing nation gave the organization the opportunity to implement policies while the government is at the vulnerable stage.

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 is the philosophical and ethical teachings, introduced to Chinese culture/religion. This philosophy strained the ideals of the perfection of man, improving one’s self, having a strong education, and the practice of rituals. It deals mainly with the moral conduct and ethical living, and is often associated with an ethical/moral system, than an actual religion. The importance of Confucianism influenced China and its culture.

When examining Taoism and Confucianism they might appear to be different, or conflicting one another. When realizing Chuang Tzu and Confucius are very much in connection with concepts the two philosophers are represented differently with their ideas. Tao described as “The way” two both philosophers have a different meaning and even a different view point. Throughout this essay the reader should gain and understanding of both philosophers idea of the way and the elements that are involved in with the way, by seeing contrast of similarities and differences between them.