CONFUCIANISM Essay, Research Paper
CONFUCIANISM VS. TAOISM
Confucianism was the major school of thought in China throughout history. Confucianism was developed from the teachings of Confucius and his disciples, and covered the areas of social relationships, principles of good conduct, practical wisdom. Confucianism has influenced the Chinese attitude toward life, set the patterns of living, and provided the background for Chinese political theories and institutions. It has spread through various countries from Korea, Japan, and Vietnam and has aroused interest among Western scholars. Although Confucianism became the official ideology of the Chinese state, Confucianism has never existed as an established religion. Amazingly, Chinese scholars honored Confucius as a great teacher but did not worship him as a personal god. Unlike Christian churches, the temples built to Confucius were not places in which organized community groups gathered to worship, but public places designed for annual ceremonies.
Two major schools of Confucian thought emerged after the death of Confucius. One of these schools was represented by Mencius, the other, Hs?n-tzu. Mencius continued the ethical teachings of Confucius by stressing the innate goodness of human nature. He believed, however, that original human goodness could become corrupt through one’s own destructive effort or through contact with an evil environment. The problem of moral cultivation is therefore to preserve or at least to restore the goodness that is one’s birthright. In political thought, Mencius is sometimes considered one of the early advocates of democracy, for he advanced the idea of the people’s supremacy in the state.
In opposition to Mencius, Hs?n-tzu contended that a person is born with an evil nature but that it can be regenerated through moral education. He believed that desires should be guided and restrained by the rules of propriety and that character should be molded by an orderly observance of rites and by the practice of music. This code serves as a powerful influence on character by properly directing emotions and by providing inner harmony. Hs?n-tzu was the main exponent of ritualism in Confucianism.
Taoist philosophical and spiritual thinking can be found in the book Tao-te Ching, a text dating from 300 BC and attributed to the historical figure Lao-tzu, and in the Chuang-tzu, a book of parables and allegories also dating from the 300 BC but attributed to the philosopher Chuang-tzu. Whereas Confucianism urged the individual to conform to the standards of an ideal social system, Taoism maintained that the individual should ignore the dictates of society and seek only to conform with the underlying pattern of the universe, the Tao, meaning ?way?, which can neither be described in words nor conceived in thought. To be in accord with Tao, one has to ?do nothing? (wu-wei)?that is, nothing strained, artificial, or unnatural. Through compliance with the impulses of one’s own essential nature and by emptying oneself of all doctrines and knowledge, one achieves unity with the Tao and derives from it a mystical power (To). This power enables one to transcend all mundane distinctions, even the distinction of life and death. At the political level, the Taoists called for a return to a primitive farming type life.
Inapt to the development of a clear political theory, Taoism exerted its greatest influence on Chinese aesthetics, hygiene, and religion. Taoism also developed at a cult level in which immortality was sought through magic and the use of various potions. Experimentation in alchemy gave way to the development, between the 3rd and 6th centuries, of various hygiene cults that sought to prolong life. These developed into a general hygiene system, still practiced, that stresses regular breathing and concentration to prevent disease and promote longevity.
About the 200 AD, popular Taoist religious organizations concerned with faith healing began to appear. Taoism was recognized as the official religion of China for several brief periods. Various Taoist sects eventually developed, and in 1019 the leader of one of these was given an extensive tract of land in Jiangxi Province. The successors of this patriarch maintained control over this tract and nominal supremacy over local Taoist clergy until 1927, when the Chinese Communists ousted them.
Другие работы по теме:
Taoism And Confucianism Essay Research Paper Taoism
Taoism And Confucianism Essay, Research Paper Taoism And ConfucianismTaoism and Confucianism both combine to play an important part in Chinese Philosophy. Though in essence the two are opposite in many ways they do not contradict each other. They each deal with differentmatters of everyday life. Confucianism dealt with the success of thestate and the job of the upper class to rule the lower class.
Tao Vs Ren Essay Research Paper Brad
Tao Vs. Ren Essay, Research Paper Brad Czopek Area Studies There are three major “religions” in China: Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Buddhism came from India, but the other two originated in China. This is a comparison between those two religions. In modern times there are lots of people that try to maintain a balance between the three, but this has not always been the case.
On The Chinese Dynasty Essay Research Paper
Dear Editor, I am a 16 century trader. I have been to China. I have seen all the things Marco Polo has seen. I know that he was not telling a lie at all. I am very angry that you did not believe him. I am writing to defend him.
Buddhism Essay Research Paper Essay Question
Buddhism Essay, Research Paper Essay Question #5: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity Throughout the history of Japan, foreign religions such as Buddhism, Christianity and Confucianism have been introduced. These three religions have had their share of successes as well as failures. However, the fates of these religions have completely different endings due to conflicting beliefs of religious men and the presence of political influence.
Was Confucianism Responsible For China
’s Failure To Modernize Essay, Research Paper Was Confucianism Responsible for China’s Failure to Modernize? How significant was China’s more than 1000-year tradition of a stable, hierarchial, Confucian society in keeping China from seeing the need to modernize?
Judge Dee Essay Research Paper The character
Judge Dee Essay, Research Paper The character of Judge Dee is largely molded by the ideas of his time. During his reign, the philosophies of Legalism, Confucianism, and Taoism, were heavily relied upon for the basis of ethics within the common people and magistrates alike. Judge Dee?s persona is derived directly from the strictest teachings of these philosophies.
Confucianism Vs Daomism Essay Research Paper Lead
Confucianism Vs Daomism Essay, Research Paper ?Lead the people by laws and regulate them by punishments, and the people will simply try to keep out of jail, but will have no sense of shame. Lead the
Hinduism Buddism And Confucianism Essay Research Paper
Hinduism, Buddism, and Confucianism: A Comparison Hinduism, as well as Buddism, both came into existence in India. Both religions are similar in many ways. The religions both believe in reincarnation and that the specific purpose of their teachings is to escape this cycle.
Chagnon Debate Essay Research Paper Confucian Doctrine
Chagnon Debate Essay, Research Paper Confucian Doctrine in Modern Society Robert Bruce’s article titled “The Return to Confucius?” asserts that Confucianism may be the answer to Asian economic strife. However, he fails to draw a clear link between economic prosperity and Confucianism, instead leaving the reader to hypothesize using the information given in the article, and, in our case, the Analects.
Confucian Transformation Of Women Essay Research Paper
Korea adopted Confucianism as the guiding principle for reform with the founding of the Chos?n Dynasty in 1392. For women in Korean society, this meant virtual doom. The Chos?n period is considered to be the dark age for women’s culture and women in general. The philosophy of Confucianism considered the relationship between man and woman to be the root of all human relations.
CONFUCIANISM AND CHRISTIANITY Essay Research Paper The
CONFUCIANISM AND CHRISTIANITY Essay, Research Paper The premise of Confucian teachings are centered around the idea of Jen or the ?virtue of humanity (Ching 68).? To accomplish this divinity, five relationships must be honored: ruler and minister, father and son, husband and wife, elder and younger brother, and friend and friend (Hopfe).
Taoism 2 Essay Research Paper There are
Taoism 2 Essay, Research Paper There are three major religions in China Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Confucianism is the distinctive religion of the three because it had been ingrained in the ruling class, which had been the prevalent and influential religion since the beginning. Because of this every individual had to be familiar with this religion regardless of the religion that he followed.
Confucianism Essay Research Paper HistoryK
Confucianism Essay, Research Paper History K’ung Fu Tzu (commonly pronounced Confucius in English) was born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu (modern day Shantung Province). He lived during the Chou dynasty, an era known for its moral laxity. Later in life, he wandered through many states of China, giving advice to their rulers.
Confucianism Hinduism Christianity Judaism Essay Research Paper
Confucianism is considered a religion in a traditional sense. However it has no clergy, or god of worship. It is considered a major religion because its philosophy has guided the ancient Chinese and many other people of the east for thousands of years. Confucianism is a way of life based on the teaching of Confucius.
Confucius 4 Essay Research Paper Confucianism
Confucius 4 Essay, Research Paper Confucianism, the philosophical system founded on the teaching of Confucius, who lived from 551 BC to 479 BC, dominated Chinese sociopolitical life for most of the Chinese history and largely influenced the cultures of Korea, Japan, and Indochina. The Confucian school functioned as a recruiting ground for government positions, which were filled by those scoring highest on examinations in the Confucian classics.
Modernizing China Essay Research Paper Modernizing ChinaThe
Modernizing China Essay, Research Paper Modernizing China The belief systems that have been given rise to in China are religions thought out for thousands of years. All of them are different from each other, but also interlaced. Many scholars and thinkers spent a whole life devoted to further developing a way of thinking.
Comparing Taoism Confucianism And Legalism Essay Research
Paper When one mentions the name Lowell High School, one woulda think of academic excellence and first-class education. The students all enter Lowell High School by placing tremendous effort into their academic studies. The motive of the students is to attain one certain goal, which is to be accepted to a prestigious college.
Confucianism Essay Research Paper HUNDRED SCHOOLS OF
Confucianism Essay, Research Paper HUNDRED SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT As a ruler I would be most inclined to follow Confucianism because it is not so much a religion in a traditional sense, but a set of rules for human interaction. It is a system of social ethics concerned with the formal, external aspects of life. Conf
Confucianism And Taoism Essay Research Paper Religion
Confucianism And Taoism Essay, Research Paper Religion is religion, right? Not necessarily. There are people in this country who don t believe in Christianity yet still follow the basic teachings of living. Confucianism and Taoism are just two of those religions practiced in this country, alone. The differences between the two are wide.
Lacquer Screen Essay Essay Research Paper Confucianism
Lacquer Screen Essay Essay, Research Paper Confucianism was one of the most influential of the four Great Traditions in ancient China. However, it did not become such a big way of life until after Confucius death, as he only had a small number of disciples following him during his lifetime. Confucianism stressed the importance of some of the greatest virtues of life, including filial piety, Jen, Chi, Yung, and Li, as these represented devotion to the parents, benevolence, wisdom, moral courage, and ritual, and were the keys to achieving moral goodness.
Religion And Culture Essay Research Paper Religion
Religion And Culture Essay, Research Paper Religion affects many dynamics of a society. Although, at first glance most people do not realize the drastic effects religion has on a culture. It can have a major impact on the stability and growth of the economy, the people’s family, and social lives. In the following essay, I will illustrate how Confucianism, Buddhism, Islamic, Judaism, and Christianity influenced different societies.
Dynasties Of China Essay Research Paper Religion
Dynasties Of China Essay, Research Paper Religion and philosophy embraced in 550 BC and continued to play an important role in China. Confucianism is the accepted philosophy of China 2000 years later. Daoism, Naturalism, and Buddhism are part of Chinese beliefs and customs. These philosophies are at the very core of Chinese life and society.
Darmok Confucianism In Star Trek Essay
, Research Paper In the episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation entitled Darmok, which we saw in class this Friday, we saw what impact two cultures could make upon each other. The episode begins with the Enterprise coming out to greet a new race of people, the Tamarians, who are difficult to communicate with because their language has not been figured out.
Visit To Han China Essay Research Paper
Your visit to China certainly did sound interesting. But life outside the palaces and cities is not the same as you have seen. I have visited many villages around the country and I’ve noticed a large difference.
Confucianism 2 Essay Research Paper ConfucianismConfucianism is
Confucianism 2 Essay, Research Paper Confucianism Confucianism is based upon the thoughts of Confucius, whom lived during the Zhou Dynasty, which lasted from 1027 to 221 B.C. Confucius was born around 551 B.C. in Tsou, a small town in the state of Lu, in what is today Shantung Province. His father died when he was three, and grew up in poverty with his mother, as he worked several jobs to help support the family.
Confucianism Essay Research Paper Confucianism The religion
Confucianism Essay, Research Paper Confucianism The religion of Confucianism is and interesting and unique religion. The various parts of this belief system deal more with humanity than with deities or supernatural occurrences. It is this fact that leads many to believe that Confucianism is more a philosophy or way of life than a religion.
Confucianism Essay Research Paper What is Confucianism
Confucianism Essay, Research Paper What is Confucianism? Confucianism was the single most important thing in Chinese life. It affected everything in China; education, government, and attitudes toward behavior in public and private life. Confucianism is not a religion, but it is more a philosophy and a guide to morality and good government.
Confucianism And The Rise Of Industrialism In
East Asia Essay, Research Paper ? ??? ?? Many factors helped aid in the dynamic growth that occurred in Japan and the four little dragons during the post-World War 2 period. Some of these factors were situational factors unique to the time but some of the factors were cultural. The legacy of Confucianism in Japan and the four little dragons helped to further the goals of industrialization that these nations had.
Han Dynasty Essay Research Paper The Han
Han Dynasty Essay, Research Paper The Han dynasty (202 BC – AD 220) reunited the China after the Qin dynasty fell apart. The Han ruled China for forty years, which was divided into two periods: the earlier period Western Han and the later period Easter Han. Gaozu, who was the first king of the Han dynasty, was a minor official in Qin dynasty.
The Islamic And Confucianism Essay Research Paper
During the post-classical period, the Islamic and Confucianist world religions?were based upon the principles of spiritual and intellectual growth. Both valued intelligence and knowledge, and strongly supported education, yet each religion viewed the world and its inhabitants from different vantage points.