...Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism were all introduced to China during the chaotic Warring States period in part due to intense interstate warfare. These philosophies acted as a guide for not only citizens but rulers as well. Thus, the popularity of these philosophies varied depending on the ruling family’s ideology. Therefore, philosophical beliefs helped govern and build positivity. This week, I will be comparing Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism, and their role in addressing the chaotic late Zhou period. Confucius, also known as Master Kong, was a justice minister and the founder of Confucianism. His school of thought primarily focused on ambiguous rituals which allowed man to find their inner “goodness.” Despite his focus on ceremony, Confucius’ teachers were to be thought of as an ethical system rather than a religion. Thus, he taught his followers to be respectful to their family members, ancestors, and elders:...
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...In ancient China many different rulers tried to unify and rule the country using a variety of methods such as Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism. Each theory has its own set of rules of how people should act both in public and privately. The overall goal of each philosophy was to set a standard, acceptable living that would ensure harmony and success for the society. However, each theory was different and therefore had different results on the dynasties. I believe the best way for the people of Chinese government to succeed in a peaceful, stable, society occurs when both Confucianism and Legalism philosophies are combined. The theory of Legalism encourages to be scared of your leader, not inspired by them. Almost every crime, had a harsh punishment, which scared people from behaving that way, without question. It gives the people almost no civil rights or personal freedoms outside of the laws they must follow. The legalists believed in the well-being of the state or region, not an individual person. Legalism may be seen as inhumane to many because of all the killings from the forced labor. However, Legalism was a very successful philosophy that did provide China with stability. There were numerous achievements accomplished for China under the Shi Huangdi who followed legalism. “Emperor Qin divided the empire into 40 administrative units called “commanderies” 1 which were further divided into districts and counties. He created separate provinces and districts headed by officials...
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...According to Professor Vincent Shen, human being in the postmodern society has been facing two major problems: mental nihilism and environmental crisis (171). And as he wisely pointed out, the teaching of classical Confucianism and Daoism provides us with a solution: return to simplicity and reconstruct the harmonic relationship for both mind and environment. Furthermore, generosity towards many others, as a dynamic tension inside both classical Confucianism and Daoism, can be practiced through strangification. And this generous strangification towards many others, is the source of practical value in classical Confucianism and Daoism (295). In this reading report, I will try to show my critical reflection on Professor Shen’s wisdom in Chapter 8 and 13 of his anthology. For classical Confucianism represented by Confucius, reciprocity in social relationships is the fundamental phase of...
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...China and India China and India are two great civilizations that have been heavily influenced by religion and it has played a major role in their lives. The main religions from both of the civilizations are Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Although China and India were governed by their beliefs and it determined how they were supposed to live their lives, the civilizations have different lifestyles and believe in different aspects of life. (Siwei, 2010) (Buddhism & Hinduism Compared, n.d) Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism have been a major part of life for the Chinese. In c. 500 B.C.E, Confucianism, a system of teachings by Confucius, was founded. Although many people consider it to be a religion, Confucianism is thought of more as a series of teachings. The way the Chinese go about life or think is often based on the teachings of Confucius. Two thousand years ago, Buddhism came into existence and was implememnted into the Chinese culture. Buddhism is solely based on the teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the belief that suffering is the path to overcome. Siddhartha Gautama is the founder of Buddhism. Written by Laozi, Daoism is a spiritual philosophy that focuses on living in harmony and peace....
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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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...Lee Skinner ( Person # 37646847 ) World Civilization 1 William Newsome Ramya Sreenivasan The Treatment of Confucianism and Daoism The treatment of Confucianism and Daoism are seen abundantly throughout The Chinese Maize Murders. Many social values of Confucianism are portrayed through Judge Dee, the hero of the novel. The novel portrays the Confucians as having rulers with impeccable intellect and knowledge. The Daoist is viewed as people that do not value thought and education,” Knowledge is bad because it creates distinctions.”( Craig textbook, pg 54) This is supported by the Dragon and Worm analogy in the story. The novel ultimately endorses the values of Confucianism. This is exemplified through the main character Judge Dee and is supported by the fact that the three main conflicts of the story are solved by Confucian thinking and reasoning. The relationship between these two philosophies is seen as Confucianism learning from the thoughts of Daoism. Judge Dee is the ideal Confucian. He rules with rich morals and deeply thought out justice. The Confucian idea that the smartest men should rule is shown through Judge Dee. He is a brilliant man that uses his wit and knowledge to solve case after case. He uses violence when he has to but he prefers to outsmart his opposition to resolve conflict, just as the thoughts of Confucianism state. He demonstrates the Confucian ideas of proper conduct, compassion, generosity and righteousness. Throughout the story he holds up to these...
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...is an abbreviated translation from the Chinese Classic novel: Xi You Ji (The Journey to the West) composed by Wu cheng’en. The whole book is narrating the story of Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty traveling west to India to get the scripture, which is considered a greater vehicle that can be the salvation to all beings. Although apparently the idea of Buddhism is shown as the major concept throughout the whole small talk, the other two Teachings including Confucianism and Daoism are also sufficiently blended in the whole master piece. As a matter of fact, Monkey blends Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism together, which form in Neo-Confucianism. Throughout the whole book, their characteristics and the experience they went through show the ritual and benevolence in Confucianism idea, adopt the natural way in Daoist philosophy, and explain the path to reach Nirvana in Buddhist belief. The backgrounds of the main characters can represent the influence by three Teachings. First of all, in the whole book, Tripitaka blended the Confucianism ritual and benevolence traits into Buddhism suffering Nirvana process, and eventually got the true meaning of Buddhism and became a Bodhisattva. Tripitaka, the core character of this west Journey, was the son of Chen O who received the first place at the final Court Examination and married the daughter of the minister. Civil Exam was an examination that adheres to Confucian values. In other words, Tripitaka was actually born this life in the family that...
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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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...At the end of the Zhou dynasty, the period of the seven warring states began. During this time, there was no social or political order. China was very chaotic. Three Chinese philosophers emerged, all with different ideas on how to restore order in China. There names were: Confucius, who founded Confucianism; Lao Tzu, who founded Daoism; and Han Fei, who founded Legalism. Legalism and Confucianism both believed in leading China by law. However, Legalists believed in harsh punishment, whereas Confucianists believed punishment would not do China good. Confucianists and Daoists both believed in pleasing the people. But, while Confucianists believed in pleasing people through law and order, Daoists believed that not having laws would please the...
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...Philosophy and Religion China’s history has been full of richness of culture, mainly due to how they progressed with philosophy and religion. Since the beginning of the Chinese’s civilization philosophy and religion has been at the forefront of Chinese culture. From the ancient oracle bones and bronze inscriptions to the development of different schools of thought, the Chinese have always been adept for the time period in philosophy and religion. And over the course of their history they have combined the two in a manner that suits their needs, through this evolution and combination of the two they have become a strong nation. Oracle bones were the corner stone of the early Chinese dynasties such as the Shang from around 1200-1050 B.C (Shang pg. 1). In one of the articles it attempts to explain the use of these bones by saying that the kings of the Shang Dynasty would “attempt to communicate with the spiritual forces that ruled their world by reading the stress cracks in cattle bones…” (Shang 1). These kings would apply a heated poker to the bones which would produce cracks that they would analyze based on the direction and deepness of the crack. Recently these bones and the records of the king’s analyzation were uncovered. An estimated 150,000 oracle bones were found, and have references to the god of the Shang, Di (Shang pg. 1). This type of analysis by the kings is an early form of a religion, and the building blocks for later philosophy and schools of thought in China’s...
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... Buddhism was based off of Hinduism. While they had their similarities, they were very different. Gautama said that people need to let go of the beliefs of Hinduism to fully accept Buddhism in their heart. In China, there was something called Confucianism. It was not necessarily a religion, but a philosophy. Confucianism created social order in China. There was also something in China called Daoism. Daoism was very different from Confucianism in the fact that it focused less on social order, but that it focused on being close to nature. Daoism also was different in the fact that it says logic cannot explain nature nor how it was created. Over time, Buddhism spread into china. This is present in document 7. The Daoist people understood its reasoning and where much more likely to adopt it. Confucius people were much less likely to adopt it and did not disagree with it at all. However, in the end Buddhism and Confucianism c-existed and the reactions of people were positive, negative, or blended. Positive people accepted and defended it policies, which is apparent in documents 1 and 2. Others blamed it for China’s social and political problems, which is depicted in documents 4and 6. Some people remained indifferent and blended Confucianism and Buddhism, and is displayed in documents 3 and 5. Document one is a quote from the first sermon preached by the Buddha, and is about the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths are four beliefs of Buddhism and are about how to reach enlightenment...
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...religious beliefs. However, there were also some similarities based upon their religions such as governing rules. At one point, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism all played a role in the Chinese government during the Han and Yuan Dynasties. One difference was in the religion itself. While the Han Dynasty believed in Confucianism, the Yuan Dynasty believed in both Buddhism and Daoism. The Confucian principles taught that the material world is truly real. It also taught that it was the “heart” of the state government. Confucians believed that fulfillment comes from participating in the world....
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...WORLD RELIGIONS – REL 212 World Religions HINDUISM & JAINISM WEEK 2 Cosmogony Origin of the Universe Hinduism and Jainism cosmogony origin of the universe is that there isn’t no specific origin or founder. Nature of God/Creator The Gods are in male and female form and represent many different things. View of Human Nature Hinduism and Jainism: Karma is what comes around goes around. View of Good & Evil Hinduism and Jainism: Good actions have a good effect and bad actions have a bad effect. “Karma”. View of Salvation Hinduism and Jainism salvation is called Moksha. It’s when an enlightened human being is freed from the cycle of lifeanddeath and comes into a state of completeness. And the Jainism salvation is achieved through three cycles right belief, right knowledge, and right conduct. Hinduism and Jainism: Samsara reincarnation is taught that the soul leaves the dead body and enters a new body. They believe in the rebirth and reincarnation of the souls. Jainism following liberation one’s jiva ascends to the apex of the universe to join the other siddhas. One can ascend to a heavenly realm due too good karmas accrued but must return to a human incarnation in order to achieve final liberation. Hinduism and Jainism: Practices (both): Praising the Cow called “The Cow is our Mother, for she gives us her milk.” Worship with fire, yoga, sacred chants, verbal formulas, and sacred actions. Worship deity images, pictures and sculptures...
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... |Confucianism |Daoism | |Countries of origin | Hinduism’s Country of origin are Sri |Buddhism’s Country of origin are Nepal, |Confucianism Countries of origin are |Daoism’s Cointry of origin are china, | | |Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, |Theravada, Mahayana, Japan, Afghanistan, |china, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore |Thailand, Beijing, Hubei, Sichuan, Korea | | |Fiji, Suriname, Guyana & Trinidad and |Central Asia, China, Thailand and |Vietnam | | | |Tobego |Indonesia | | | |Historical figures and |Hinduism’s blends into God are descended |Buddhisms historical figures are the Guru|Confucianism historical figures can be |Historical figures of Daoism are the | |events |to earth. Huli is a festival event |Rinpoche, Tsongkhapa, Fifth Dalailama, |the Zhu Xi or Confucuis. Han Dystany is |Confucuis Buddha and Lao Tzu. Events are | | |celebrated on the day after the full moon|King Sungtsen Gampo, Milarepa. Some |known as one of the events in |the Tang Period, Modern Daoism, Eastern | | ...
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