...In Chinese religion there are three traditions that have been practiced including folk religion, taoism and confucianism. This trio can also be known as the three dimensions and has had a significant impact on buddhism throughout the years. Taoism is a way of living in harmony with a group of individuals. This can also be said as living with the tao which would mean living with the path or basically getting along with one another. A significant piece of taoism is tao te ching which helped to teach various characteristics to Laozi. Laozi was the founder of tao te ching and really had a major impact on the chinese religion through the teachings from the book. Also through taoism there is wu wei a perception that Laozi uses to reveal in taoism...
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...Compare and contrast Daoism (Taoism), Legalism, and Confucianism. Daoism, Legalism, and Confucianism share similarities as they worked together to form schools of thought that worked to exercised a deep influence in Chinese political and cultural traditions. They also worked to bring political and social stability to China during the years of the Zhou dynasty and the period of the warring states (Bently, Ziegler & Streets, p.100). The differences among the three is Confucian’s involved themselves in society by holding government positions and made concrete efforts to solve political and social problems while promoting harmony in public life. The Daoism’s believed that it would be pointless to focus on social activism. Instead they focused their time trying to understand the principles of living in harmony as they believed that someday there would be harmony to society as a whole (Bently et. al. p.103). The Legalists were unlike the other two. They did not concern themselves with ethics, morality or property nor did they care about the place of human beings in nature, instead, they placed their focus to the state, which they sought to strengthen and expand at all costs (Bently et. al. p.104). What did each system stress as most important? Daoists thought that they should withdraw from the world of politics and administration so that humans could not live in harmony (Bently et. al. p.103). Legalists’ sought to channel as many individuals as possible into...
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...Ashley Colvin Confucianism and Daoism (Taoism) REL 212: World Religion Instructor: Professor Joel Goldstein Daoism is one of China’s major religions indigenous to the country. The primary belief is in learning and practicing “The Way” (Dao) which is the ultimate truth to the universe. Confucianism and Taoism are both ancient Chinese styles of living. Confucianism believes in setting good examples for others to follow primarily in 5 key relationships: ruler & subject, wife & husband, older & younger sibling, friend & friend, father & son. While Daoism (Or Taoism) was a way of living in which there were not many rules and believes in the dialectical philosophy of inaction. Through nature and harmony you can be happy. This is where yin and yang come from. Daoism is also known as Taoism, Daoism traces its beginnings to Sixth Century BC when Chinese philosopher Laozi wrote the iconic book Dao De Jing on the tenets of the Dao. Laozi’s successor, Zhuangzi, further developed Daoist principles. Daoism is an organized religious tradition that has been continuously developing through China, Korea and Japan for a little over two thousand years. Daoism has now spread around the globe from Sydney to Toronto and includes among its followers people from a whole range of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. Day by day, Daoism is truly becoming a...
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...Think about his meaning and how it might be similar or different than key ideas of seeking the highest good in both Confucianism and Christianity. What is the relationship of right being to right doing in each of these three religions (Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity)? Lao-Tsu (570-490 B.C.) wrote the following on the highest good in his Tao Te Ching: The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao. In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. In speech, be true. In ruling, be just. In business, be competent. In action, watch the timing. No fight; no blame." Write an essay of 750-1,000 words discussing this idea. 1. Think about his meaning and how it might be similar or different than key ideas in seeking the highest good in both Confucianism and Christianity. The philosopher, Lao-Tzu, wrote about the highest good in his Tao Te Ching. Lao-Tzu was known as the father of Taoism; a philosophical and religious tradition that origins from China by Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu that emphasizes to live with the Tao in harmony (Taoism, n.d.). Taoism is known to go hand-in-hand with Confucianism which is a mainly characterized as Chinese philosophical and ethical system rather than a religion that was based on the teaching of the Chinese Philosopher known as Confucius (Berling, 1996). This is due to...
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...2. To what did the Latin religio refer? 3. Taoism and Confucianism are nontheistic religions, that is, religions for which belief in God or gods is nonessential. While gods are not alien to either Taoism or Confucianism, belief gods is not central to either tradition. What are a couple of other religions that can be called nontheistic religions? 4. What is Paul Tillich's definition for religion, and why do Hopfe and Woodward consider its development too broad? Theories of the Origin of Religions, pp. 5-9 5. Explain E. B. Tylor's theory concerning the origin and evolution of religion. What is animism, and to what, "ultimately" and "finally," did Tylor think it evolved? 6. To what does the term "mana" refer? 7. Explain Max Müller's theory concerning the origin and evolution of religion. 8. How does Wilhelm Schmidt's theory differ most from those of Müller and Tylor (hint : the answer has something to do with which came first, monotheism or polytheism)? 9. Explain Sir James Frazer's theory concerning the origin and evolution of religion. 10. According to Ludwig Feuerbach, who created whom? 11. For Karl Marx religion consisted of the idea of heaven, so what did Marx mean when he wrote that religion, or the idea of heaven, "is the opium [a pain killer] of the [oppressed] people"? 12. Sigmund Freud argues that "the younger males" who "joined together in killing" their father experienced enough...
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...study of Near and Far Eastern societies and cultures, languages and peoples by Western scholars. It can also refer to the imitation or depiction of aspects of Eastern cultures in the West by writers, designers and artists. The hubs of strong traditions that are easily visible lie in East Asia. The following countries are commonly seen as located in geographically East Asia: People's Republic of China (China), Hong Kong and Macau (a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China), Republic of China (Taiwan), Japan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), Republic of Korea (South Korea), and Mongolia (Wikipedia 2007). Oriental Ideologies These are the main ideologies connected with Asia: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism/Daoism. Others comprise of Shinto and Zen (Eastern Buddhism). Over 93% of Taiwanese are...
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...Comparison of two religions | Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism | Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism constitute the essence of the traditional Chinese culture. The relationship among the three has been marked by both contention and complementation in history, with Confucianism playing a more dominant role. | | Buddhism religion and philosophy was founded in India c.525 B.C. by Siddhartha Gautama, called the Buddha. There are over 300 million Buddhists worldwide. One of the great world religions, it is divided into two main schools: the Theravada or Hinayana in Sri Lanka and SE Asia, and the Mahayana in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Japan. A third school, the Vajrayana, has a long tradition in Tibet and Japan. Buddhism has largely disappeared from its country of origin, India, except for the presence there of many refugees from the Tibet region of China and a small number of converts from the lower castes of Hinduism. Daoism and Confucianism grew largely in China and later spread to Korea and Japan. Daoism was founded by Lao Tzu. It is more than 1800 years history originating in the c.550 B.C time period. Confucianism has a worldwide influence and obtained it’s stable position under the reign of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty (202BC- 220AD). Some of Buddhism’s foundational paths are within The Four Noble Truths which is what the Buddha set forth during his first sermon at sarnath. This foundation leading to all his later teachings are, 1. Life inevitably involves suffering...
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...interest of themselves. Buddhism's theory also has a large influence of believing of next life, this made people believe that if they do not have a perfect life, they could give hope to their next life. So they would not struggle too much and this is what the government using to manipulate people at ancient time. But a person can abandon everything including love, family, friends, but not food and water, otherwise this person is dead. which is saying that as a human being, eventually is depending on this world no matter what religions, what believes, so from this aspect, Buddhism is fundamentally unpractical. Taoism has a different theory of that the reason of everything exist is for its opposite, in certain condition it will alter. And the relationship between positive and negative, a general relationship of everything in the world. Another theory of Taoism is largely accepted by the manipulate level to the manipulated level, which is to fool people. At the dynasty of Ch'in, in order to rule the country easily, there was a policy of burn books and bury Confucian scholars alive, so people would had no knowledge and willing to be slaves. Sagas could be immortal is certainly a misunderstanding, since no one is immortal but few are sagas, thus the conclusion of sagas by " Pao-p'u Tzu" is that the reason why to call Confucius and Duke Chou sagas, is not because of their immortal life, but is the wisdom and contribution to the society and countries that they lived in. ...
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...Chapter 8,9,& 10 1. Are Taoism and Confucianism truly religions argue both sides. Taoism and Confucianism are two very different religious traditions of ancient China. Both Taoism and Confucianism cannot clearly be explained as a religion with certain doctrines and rituals as other well –known religions. As religious and social forces, they have coexisted for centuries in China and have spread to other Asian regions. The name Taoism is taken from the title of the book called “Tao Te Ching, which translates to “the way of nature. Taoism is based on the ancient Chinese understanding of the universe. Historically, the origin of Taoist philosophy is unclear, but it is said that the founder of Taoism is Lao-tzu, who lived in the sixth century B.C.E. Taoism can be described in terms of its history and its effects on Chinese people, nut it cannot be clearly delineated as a religion with a certain body of doctrine and rituals of Chinese antiquity. Philosophically, for Taoism, the ideal life is one that is lived in harmony with the way of this shifting nature. By the early centuries of the Common Era, Taoism had been converted into a religion complete with gods, priests, temples and sacrifices. In the modern days, Taoism is mainly associated with charms, exorcisms and magical attempts to prolong life, in which there is a self-generating force called chi (rather than there being a Creator Deity). This force manifests two interplaying aspects: yin and yang. Yin is the dark...
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...There are an abundant amount of religious and glorified explanations of how our world has become present day. Society refers to these narratives as myths or legends. Mythology spreads all across the world reaching different cultures, which in their own have ideologies to the present common rituals beliefs that have brought their culture to present form. Although there has been much development in the culture of Chinese mythology, this culture can be traced back 4,000 years to the oldest of myths (Willis 88). Mythology tries to answer the question of earth’s origin through beliefs and cultural myths. In Chinese mythology the earth is said to have formed when chaos ruled the universe, from this chaos a cosmic egg formed for 18,000 years. A divine beast formed within the egg creating a perfect balance known as Yin and Yang. The divine beast burst the egg apart and separated Yin from Yang to create earth and sky. The Yin or light parts formed the male skies while the opaque Yang parts formed the female earth. The beast Pan Gu then lies down and dies so that he may rise up to keep the earth and sky apart. His body parts then become sun, earth, moon, wind, water, and clouds. The symbolism of complementary opposition is a representation of their duality and oneness and is represented in Chinese culture through the Yin and Yang symbol and is a staple in Chinese culture. Mythology has a strong belief in deities and supernatural beings. Pan Gu is a supernatural divine creature...
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...Wesley Kivett World Religions December 11, 2011, Darin Metz Seeking the Highest Good Breaking down the religions of this world has been a task of mankind for centuries. Theologians and Philosophers have studied the very core of many world religions trying to find the similarities between the religions. Debates and many of hours have been put into this research trying to find out who is right and who is wrong. When we look at three of the leading religions of the world, Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity there are similarities and differences between them, but the meaning in which they are taught are very different. Since the beginning of time mankind has always been seeking for a greater understanding of life and what our purpose is here on earth. Many have written books on how to find the meaning of life and how to focus on your purpose, or could we say, seeking a higher good. As we look at these three religions it is difficult to even begin to see how three religions that are so far apart can find common ground. Taking each one of them individually and trying to pinpoint their relationships can be very challenging. Lao-Tsu (570-490 B.C.) wrote the following on the highest good in his Tao Te Ching: "The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao. In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle...
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...factors worked to turn the pacific movement of Nanak into the warrior caste of later Sikhism? The torture and death of Arjan and execution of Singh. 3. List the three major sects of Sikhism. What are the major characteristics of each? Udasis- order of holy men who follow the rules and principles that govern Hindu, Janism, and Buddhism. Sahajdharis- conservative and slowgoing, reject militant characteristics. Singhs- theology of reincarnation, non use of stimulants long hair on heads and faces. Chapter Eight: Chinese Religions Page 203: Answer the Following Questions 1. Are Taoism and Confucianism truly religions? Argue both sides. They are truly religions because they embody the concept of religion. Taoism cannot be classified as a religion with certain doctrines and practices but it has been converted to one with prescence of gods, temples, priests, and sacrifices. Confucianism is more of a philosophy of the Chinese people and has no sacred writings priesthood etc. but it has affected Chinese character and created cultic development. 2. Describe the Chinese concept of the yin and yang as a unifying explanation for the universe. A positive and negative force in nature. All nature, humankind, and events are a combination of both forces and when the forces are harmoniously combined life is the way it should be. 3. How could the hexagrams of the I Ching be viewed as a means of divination? How could they be seen as having personality and wisdom of their...
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...Culture; Taoism doctrine and religion Chinese culture involves many different religions and philosophies. A peculiarity of Chinese religions is that they are mutually exclusive and can be taken simultaneously for different functions throughout life. Each town has the religion inherited from the ancestors. This aphorism is widespread in China more than in other countries. Scholars say that primitive religion of the Chinese, and people leaving near them, was the ancestor worship, and the force of nature, which they thought themselves endowed with spirits. Confucianism and Taoism precisely these two primitive religions have obviously permeated both philosophical and religious systems more important in Chinese history. Taoism was created about 2500 years ago in China. Since its inception it has two complementary aspects: one related to social life, human relations, moral values and the government, on the other hand the mystic, which aims to transcend daily life and society, to obtain a higher plane of consciousness and become a sage, a visionary who has managed to merge and understand the universe. The sage is related in the spiritual and earthly events. Unites both aspects: the intuitive wisdom and practical knowledge or contemplation and social life. The Chinese for its tranquility compares with the image of the wise and their movements with the King’s image. In the sixth century BC, Chinese philosophy was developed in two very different schools, these were Confucianism and...
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...Nadine Couto LIT-211 03/03/2014 The book Tao Te Ching was originally called Laozi, the author’s name. When people mentioned Laozi, they were referring to the book as well as the man. The Tao Te Ching is translated as The Classic of the Way and Its Virtue, or simply The Way of Life. Laozi was a quiet and secluded person, and no one would have known him had he not written the Tao Te Ching. No details are known with certainty about his life. The introduction has the purpose to describe the concept and structure of Tao. Lao Tzu was trying to explain something that was inexpressible with language. According to the text Laozi (Lao Tzu) “One of the difficulties of the poems in the Dao De Jing is that they do not provide explanations or definitions, The Dao De Jing begins with what seems to be a series of conclusions about the dao, a word and concept for which we have no English equivalent. “ (Crawford et al. 1603) With that being said, Tao is something that is beyond whatever we could possible describe. The first two lines on the introduction “ The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao/ The name that can be named is not the eternal name.” can be described as the Tao that can be completely explained or expressed in words is not the constant, eternally unchanging and true Tao. The main idea here is that the Tao is a concept beyond reason and logic. If the name of this Tao can be defined with words, then it is not the constant, eternally unchanging name of the...
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...Religion in China was quite common for different areas of the country. The 3 religions were named Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. The different types of religions were important because of the different times in China. Each religion had a different meaning for that religion and time period. Taoism was founded during the Zhou Dynasty in the 6th century. Taoism people believed that one should be with nature and all living things to have a living flow throughout them. Taoist believers didn’t feel that the use of rules and government should be allowed and were very unique in this way. The second religion is Confucianism. Not long after Lao-Tzu found Taoism, Confucius was discovered in 551 BCE. Confucius came up with ways to how people should live...
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