Similarities Between Classical China And Classical India

In China during 406-221 BCE, the battling states between the Zhou and the Han Dynasties? were in a state of governmental disorder. Although the era was in a disruptive state, it ushered in a cultural opening that left a long lasting imprint on the Chinese history. As a result, three major belief systems surfaced Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism in an attempt to achieve a sense of political order in a disorder period. There are distinctions in the way each of the belief systems approached the many problems that plagued the Chinese society. First, all of the founders were contemporaries in China. As well as considered philosophies, who studied the future, and sat out to focus on the present rather than the past. In contrast, Confucianism, Daoism and Legalism established various paths in search of an optimistic future for the success of China. Second, both Legalism and Confucianism developed a social belief system, but are considered a religion. However, both Legalism and Confucianism purpose was to create an orderly society in the hopes of prosperity. In contrast, Daoism does

Hinduism, Confucianism and Buddhism are three of the world’s most distinguished belief systems of the past and for some, still in the present. The guidelines they provided influenced the social, political and religious lives of people within the societies that followed them. Hinduism emerged when the Aryans arrived in ancient India and began to combine their ideas with those of the Dravidians, the native population. One major Hindu idea was the caste system, which influenced the social lives of its followers and provided the state with political stability. Confucianism first saw an emergence of numerous followers during the Warring States period, when many philosophers were developing ideas for how to return order to China in this era of chaos. It provided political stability to the state by promoting an ethical system with several virtues and the idea that education could allow for social mobility. Buddhism originated from classical India when many people started looking for a new belief system, as they began to reject the caste system imposed by Hinduism. Buddhism had a minimal political or social impact on its followers, but instead influenced their religious lives. There is no doubt that these three belief systems significantly impacted the lives of their followers, but the manner in which they did this varied for each. Socially, Hinduism had the greatest impact with their caste system. Politically, Confucianism had the greatest impact by promoting virtues and

Religious and political ideas have served as the fundamental foundation to many early civilizations and settlements and Ancient China is no exception. The texts of the Ta Hsüeh and the Chung Yung clearly details some ideas and concepts of early Confucianism in Ancient China. These early Confucian ideas and concepts from the two texts, in many ways reflect the political, intellectual, and social context of ancient China. Although Confucianism is no long as prominent as it was during the times of ancient China, it is important to understand these concepts and how later Chinese Dynasty adopted it. Confucianism has developed and influenced modern China and also other East Asian cultures, customs, and heritages.

The predominant Hindu religion in India was polytheistic and centered on the soul. It was heavily tied to Indian culture and the social system due to it being an ethnic religion. Wealthy landowners and rulers, who sought validation of their power and rule through the prestige of Brahmin priests, depended on Hindu ideology. The Buddhist faith also taught about the illusion of life and rebirth like Hinduism, but did not believe in the immortal soul or a universal god. The Buddha’s denial of a god put him on the fringes of Hindu thought. The rejection of the caste as an organizing hierarchy and of the Hindu priests as connoisseurs of religious truth had won him both powerful allies and powerful opponents.

Greece and China had a variety of similarities and differences; one similarity was their importance of being wise and one difference was their governments.

The society and people from China in the early years were not so different from China today; many of the traditional beliefs and values are still intact. One very prominent value in the early Chinese culture was religion and the role it played. Religion was not only important on a spiritual level, but also at a governmental level. For example, during the rule of emperor Yu, Shu ching said that “heaven chose the rulers of the government”, and they held ministers at very high positions. Stating that heaven chose the rulers of the government illustrates that Chinese religious values played a crucial role in early civilization, and in choosing who ruled there country. It is evident though the entire history of China; from the Xia dynasty, Shang dynasty, and to the modern Chinese government that religion

India has been the root of many civilizations, groups, and philosophies ever since humans arrived there. The ancient civilizations of India were diverse and evolved quickly, and they still have a major impact on our world today. One such impact is the creation of Hinduism and, later, of Buddhism. These two religions and philosophies are similar in many ways, but also have significant differences. An important element of ancient and modern Indian society, as well as of Hinduism, is the idea of a caste system, separating the social classes with very little possibility for change. The caste system has an important role in Hinduism, and Buddhism came about as a reaction to the inequality present in Hinduism. Hinduism and Buddhism, while similar,

Ancient India’s religion were and are very diverse and they all impact India’s people and culture. The religions are Brahmanism, Hinduism, and Buddhism and they all believe in different things. Brahmanism developed from the Vedic religion, Brahmanism slowly evolved into Hinduism over time, and Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama. Religion greatly impacted people because of how people worship and praise their gods and goddesses .

In the original document for Hinduism, the article seemed to talk in circles most of the time, but they discussed the idea of a soul and generally stated a soul cannot be born and nor can it dies and continued to say the soul does not die when a body dies but rather is rebirthed into a new body (Mueller, 1910). This idea of a soul and reincarnation also influenced how Hindus thought of their caste system. Additionally the Hinduism original document also mentioned “the fruit of action”, in which they are trying to say your business should be by your actions alone and not by what you can gain from those actions (Mueller, 1910). As as a result, Hindus believed how you acted in your life determined how high of a rank you assumed when you were reincarnated in society.

Chinese beliefs may have similarities but are considered different truth seeking practices. Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism has influenced Chinese civilization from past to present. Customary base was set; the most permanent affects came from Confucianism. Every phase of life, depicted by a system of how to behave was taught and learned to maintain social order among the people; the morals and ethics of the Chinese people up until the revolution. The Chinese believes it to be based off of religion; they do not consider it one. Confusions created it with the intentions of bringing social order to the people of the Zhou dynasty religion was never wished for.

When the government structure in China fell apart creating chaos emerged two major religions, Taoism and Confucianism. These two roles played a big part during this time to get things back in order. The difference between both religions is how they believed the structure should be. Taoism was not into much of the government. They believe the least the government the better. Lao-tzu who is the founder of Taoism is known for saying “Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish” – do not overdo it (p. 180). By doing so, they will live a simple quiet life. In Confucianism, their belief is much different. The Confucians believe in a big government with an order. Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, believed if society lived by “Li”,

What’s more, the social system of modern China is not suitable for the spread and development of religions. The type of government in ancient China was a monarchy that was often autocratic and despotic. It was ruled by emperors who were sovereigns of Imperial China and recognized by their subjects as the rulers of “All under

Legalism and Confucianism form the fundamental basis of traditional Chinese culture and has exercised extensive influence over Chinese domestic laws for a period of almost 1,400 years. The Tang dynasty of 619 to 907 especially marked a period of efficient government, strong economic growth and effective administration in all forms of social and legal affairs. The amalgamation of two prominent Chinese philosophies amounted to immense success by creating a framework of domestic laws that was a partnership between the Confucian orthodox ideology and a structurally Legalist state. Such a system of legal code which eventually shaped contemporary social, ethical and political aspects of Chinese culture, allowed for Confucianism’s emphasis on

India and China have been two of the biggest and most powerful countries in Asia for thousands of years. They each have a long history of powerful ruling empires which led them to become the great nations they are today. The first empire of China was the great Qin Dynasty, who ruled for from 259 – 210 BCE. The Mauryan Empire was the first empire of India, who ruled from 321 – 184 BCE. Both of these great ruling monarchies created long-lasting laws and values within their countries, and their histories continue to live on today.

Chinese philosophy encompasses a myriad of philosophies that speak on religion, human nature, tradition, how to govern and essentially how to live. Among these collections of schools of thought are Confucianism and Toaism. While there exists both similarities and differences between the Confucian sage and the Taoist sage their political beliefs communicate different methods of achieving a prosperous and ethical state. However, based on the apparent adaptability and separation from potentially inadequate socially imposed structures, the philosophical approach introduced by Taoist thought is more favorable in creating a healthy and strong state.