Confucianism and Taoism
"What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others"
What's the difference? (Confucianism)
- Founder: Kong Qui (Confucius)
- Practices: Pay homage to Ti'en, Confucius, and ancestors to practice Jing Zuo or "quiet sitting"
- Goal of Religion: To have a structured society
- Life after Death: To be worshiped as ancestors
- Status of Women: Socially inferior to men
What's the difference? (Taoism)
- Founder: Lao Tzu
- Practices: To visit shrines, pay homage to Taoist deities, Tai Chi
- Goal of Religion: To be one with nature
- Life after Death: Taoists believe that the soul survives after death and has the ability to travel through space
- Status of Women: Generally equal, spoken of highly in the tao te ching (oldest taoist text) but varies among schools
What's the same?
- Worship at temples
- Visit shrines and pay homage
- Both believe of an afterlife
- Times around Approx. 550 B.C.E
- Both have original languages, Mandarin or Cantonese
What would a government founded on Confucianism principles look like?
A government founded on his principles would look very well and peaceful, most would be respectful amongst each other, there would be less criminal outbreaks, it would just be better in general.
How would an Asian family be influenced by Confucius' teachings?
Same as the government, children would be loyal without question, parents would care for and be a hierarchy over the family.
Are Taoist principles relevant to the issues of everyday life today?
It kinda has been going on the question side, "In pursuing knowledge, one accumulates a little more each day. In pursuing the Tao, one takes away a little more each day." As we learn we question, but that's just how we go further, answering the question why.
How do the individual principles/maxims of each philosophy connect to each other to form an entire religion/way of thinking?
They tie together because someone had the right idea on thinking in a new way of living, following set rules for a better life on each others part. Anyone can follow Confucius no problem, although for Taoism, it isn't exactly for everyone.