Confucianism Comparative Essay
Confucianism is a philosophy that developed into a religion in northern China, yet when comparing it to other religions many similarities can be found. Confucianism, Christianity, and Buddhism all have written teachings for their followers. All three of these religions originated in parts of Asia, and they all have a form of the golden rule. Despite these similarities they have many distinctions between them. Since Confucianism began as a philosophy and not a religion, it makes it fundamentally different from Christianity and Buddhism. Confucianism doesn’t believe in any gods while Christianity and, partially, Buddhism are monotheistic. They’re views on what occurs after death also vary. Confucianism and Christianity are two religions that both originate in areas of Asia. Confucianism arose in northern China during the Period of Warring States. Confucius, or Kong Fuzi, developed the religion that became known as Confucianism. Christianity has it’s origins in Israel, as it’s most important figure Jesus was from Nazareth. Both of these men traveled to promote and spread their
…show more content…
Their differences can be shown through how the religions impacted the governance of their primary empires. Han Wudi was an emperor during the Han dynasty in China. During his rule he established universities to teach future political leaders how to properly do their jobs and form a bureaucracy. The Byzantine empire was one of the most influential of the Christian empires. Christianity and the church was as power as the government in Byzantium and many of the Byzantine emperors were Christian. In the Mauyan dynasty, emperor Ashoka was a convert to Buddhism. He was seeking enlightenment to help him get past the guilt he felt after a battle. He promoted Buddhism among his people and established edicts to spread it even
“It is often said that, aside from the impact of Marxism on twentieth-century China, the only other time when the Chinese looked beyond their own borders for intellectual sustenance was during the period when Buddhism was absorbed from India” (LaFleur 23). Why did this religion appeal to the Chinese when they disregarded so many other external influences? After all, being tied to the rest of the world by the Silk Road meant they were constantly inundated with novel concepts from far and wide. The answer must lie in how Buddhism interacted with the other faiths already established in the country, namely Confucianism and Daoism (sometimes spelled Taoism). While at first glance it may appear that Confucian China would be the last place
Throughout the course of time, religion has had an enormous influence on societies. This also is true for the Han on Roman empires. In both societies, the genesis of their key religions were quite similar. Both were mainly based off of forces of nature and kept shrines in places that were pure and natural. Polytheism was a common practice and a different god was devoted to each different aspect of nature, such as wind, fire, and agriculture. Both empires also stemmed off from these nature based religions and absorbed religious theories and practices of other cultures that were introduced to them. however, the religions and practices that were introduced to them were quite different. In Rome, Christianity was introduced and become widely accepted. This was, of course, after many years of persecution and discrimination. Christianity promoted monotheism, or the belief in a single god, but this caused problems. Due to this practice, many early Christians were punished because they would not worship the emperor as a god. After many years of turmoil and bloodshed, Christianity was adopted into society. In Han China, a different religion had effect, or technically two religions. These were Daosim and Buddhism. Doasim entailed a magical and mythological belief and was mainly practiced by the common people. In Daoism it was common to practice alchemy and search for potions of
Confucianism has been a part of Chinese culture for over a thousand years. Many who have studied Confucianism would say that it is not a religion. It is better described as a philosophy or moral code. The philosophy of Confucianism comes mainly from the speeches and writings of Confucius, a great Chinese thinker and educator. He believed that Humanity, Rite, Neutrality, Virtue, Education, and Cultivation were the basis of human behavior. In addition, Confucius felt that this philosophy was the best way for people to behave and interact with others in society.
Confucian and Daoist views were important for the shaping and development of mankind in the past. They were views that existed among the eastern Asian countries. They had both similarities and differences in the way they shaped out self-knowledge and self-cultivation. Also there was other outside forces that played a major role in their theories. Nature and art were said to have helped shape the human race as we know it.
Confucianism is based on the teachings of Confucius (also known as Kongzi). In these teachings Confucius talks
Confucianism is based upon the teaching of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. This idea focuses on bettering people and the society, educating people to be
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.
The religion of Confucianism begins, of course, with Confucius whose Chinese name was Kong Qui and who lived from 551 B.C. to 479 B.C. Surprisingly Confucius was merely a low level government worker. He did not exactly view himself as the founder of a school of thought. Regardless, Confucianism is the most influential belief system in Chinese culture. It provides the rules which govern the social behavior of the individual. The basic teachings of Confucius are grounded in the Five Constant Virtues: humanity, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness. Confucius went on to define five basic human relations and
Daoism, Confucianism, & Shintoism There are many religions that originated in Asia. These religions that we are focusing on include Daoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. The religions of Daoism and Confucianism mainly originated in China, but like most religions, have now spread all throughout Asia to many different cultures. Shintoism on the other hand, originated in Japan and like the other two has also spread all throughout Asia.
First of all, the eastern religion, Buddhism, and the western religion, Christianity, both share similarities. The God in both religions were mortal at one time, meaning they went through the cycle of birth and death. In Christianity, Jesus was born and raised on Earth to spread the belief of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Buddha was also mortal at one time, and was part of a ruling family, but then left the palace to teach the path to enlightenment. Secondly, Judaism and Confucianism are interchangeable.
Christianity and Buddhism are two very prominent religions dating back from early years up until today. Both are offshoots of other religions-- Christianity from Judaism, and Buddhism from Hinduism. The Buddhists follow the teachings of Gautama Buddha, while Christianity is centered upon the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity is monotheistic while Buddhism is nontheistic. Christians believe that Christ is the son of God, while Buddhists do not believe in God as the creator of the universe.
The origins and founders of these two religions are quite similar, which will be explained in this paragraph. Confucianism was founded by a man named Confucius; which is how the
heart of the Christian faith and at its source of its traditions in Scripture is
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.
Different cultures have different outlooks on life with different values and beliefs that sustain their daily lives. Chinese culture, like any other culture, has its own such beliefs, accepted behaviour and specific day to day living that is dictated by the imposed societal and cultural norms(1). Confucian teachings and principles are the foundations on which Chinese’s value system is based on they specifically imply the highest respect be given to elderly(2). The age-related archetype of a caregiver was used for a child brought up under the influence of the Confucian teachings of filial piety and for whom selfless generosity and caretaking are the primary motivating factors for his behaviour(3). On the other hand, archetypes of Perfect Grandparent and Severely Impaired were used to describe older Chinese generation(5). These archetypes summarized the role of the elderly in context of the cultural norms(5). Filial piety, xiao in Chinese language, was derived from structured relationships of traditional Confucian beliefs and the notion of ‘intergenerational continuity’ used to describe the hierarchy of these relationships where elderly and the younger offspring were set to play their specific roles(4)(7). As in Chinese culture aging is attributed to wisdom and experience, the younger generation also has their own role to play in the society. They have an obligation towards their parents and grandparents in all aspects of daily living whether it be providing financial support,