Document one does not really state a response to the spread of Buddhism in China. This document is just three of the four noble truths that the Buddha preached. This document does not go into any grouping that I have because it does not explain anything about the spread of Buddhism.…
a. In addition to its relevance as a philosophical text, it has also been influential in the development of various indigenous Chinese religious traditions. An early commentary written by Ho-Shang Kung, which reintermets the text as an instruction manual for prolonging life, was instrumental to the development of Daoist alchemy. Also, the heavenly masters used the text as a primary scripture. For these reasons, the text remains a highly significant component behind the importance and history for this text.…
Documents 1,2, 3, and 5 can be grouped together because they all point out the reasons to support Buddhism. The Buddah (who was the founder of Buddhism) discussed “The Four Noble Truths” and that all things in life are driven by sorrow and passion. Because he is the founder of the religion, he obviously supports the traditions. Zhi Dun, an influential Chinese scholar in document 2 states the pleasures of Buddhism and encourages everyone to strive to reach nirvana. At a stressful when the Asian steppe nomads are invading Zhi Dun could have easily declared Buddhism a foreign scheme, but he chose to promote it instead. Because the government structure was weakening and everything the people were used to was falling apart they chose to turn to the new promising ways of Buddhism. Document 3 is similar in the fact that it is also written by a scholar. It also supports the ways of Buddhism and does it in an efficient logic based way. By answering direct criticism of its traditions the scholar comes across more persuasive to the people who have not yet decided whether they will support Buddhism or not. Document 3 proves that Buddhism will conflict with Confucianism because of its focus on each person individually. The “5 relationships of Confucianism” conflict with the self focus of Buddhism and this document takes the Buddhist side. Document 5 is a little different because although it supports Buddhism, it does not come out and say that Confucianism is wrong. By saying “all three teachings lead to the creation of…
Documents 4 and 6 dismay the Spread of buddhism in china in the 1st century C.E. Document 6 suggest that the causes of multiple problems in the Chinese society was caused by buddhism. Since Tang Emperor Wu was the author he had a lot of influence on his society, even thought some people rebelled in prohibited acts. Document 4 looks at Buddhism as “a cult of barbarian people”, as Han Yu says. His position on the Tang imperial court spreads his beliefs in a non-controversial way through out China, though his and many others acts may vary in opinions.…
Preferred rational reflection and self-examination, a life in harmony with nature 2. Laozi, founder of Daoism, allegedly wrote the Daodejing a. Classic of the Way and of Virtue 3. Zhuangzi (compendium of Daoist philosophy) 4. The Dao--the way of nature, the way of the cosmos a. Elusive concept: an eternal principle governing all the workings of the world b. Dao is passive and yielding, does nothing yet accomplishes everything c. Humans should adapt their behavior to the lifeless and easy nature of the Dao d. Desire and activism had only brought the world to chaos e. Doctrine of Wuwei: disengagement from worldly affairs, simple life f. Support small, self-sufficient communities 5. Political implications: served as counterbalance to Confucian activism…
along with Confucianism and Daoism, brought traits to the people to help form a more orderly government. This is proven in document five when it says, “Confucius, Laozi, and the Buddha were the perfect sages”. So the people that wrote documents five and six agreed with the spread of Buddhism in China yet did not disrespect other religions. Another piece of evidence in document six shows how they believed these three religions to help their government when it talks about what would happen if we didn’t have the help and order of these religions, “In destroying law and injuring human-kind indeed nothing suppresses this doctrine!”…
In the beginning of the document, Taoism is described as developed concurrently with Confucianism, as a rival to it (61). Taoism is all about living in harmony with the nature, therefore it is concerned with helping people live in harmony with nature and find internal peace (62). The word way or path is used in both Taoism and Confucianism to signify the fundamental and true nature of the world and people should think along the straight path of nature “He let things rise without dominance, possession or assertion, achieves without taking credit”…
During this long period of instability, people were searching for something to look to for help and Buddhism just happened to be the new thing. When analyzing document 2, Zhi Dun, a Chinese scholar, while addressing the people of China, discusses that accepting Buddhism and beginning to follow Buddhism by ridding one’s self of all desires and sorrow, would benefit the people of China. He believes this can help get the country out of the period of sorrow and instability they are in. He has written this document due to his belief that some people have doubts on accepting Buddhism and as someone in a position of power; he would like to encourage the acceptance of Buddhism throughout China. Document 1, is a teaching by Siddhartha, the Buddha, himself. It is discussing the four noble truths and in favor of Buddhism because it is Buddhism’s guidelines. However, the author is impartial because the author is Siddhartha and he came up with the religion himself. This would affect his view because if he developed the religion he obviously will support it and give teachings in order to submerge people into the religion. He wouldn’t say anything against or say…
In this primary source document, it describes how a country such as China should be ruled, in order for the country and it people to prosper. According to this document, ancient China was well organized, and had an efficient system to run their country as well as allowing their people prosper. In this document it mentions Zuo Chronicles, which comes from around the Han dynasty that would be most likely that this document is from the Han dynasty period. A scholar or an officer, who have experienced many things in life that it opens his eyes to wanting to make his country great and prosperous as well as for the people in it, might have written this document. He wants his country to prosper, which means that roles in society have to be elevated, and systems are mentioned to remind rulers that they are to protect the people and the nation. The elevated roles in China, and the systems that were established are to remind rulers, officials, with power that elevated roles and systems are created for prosperity of the nation, and protection for the people.…
Around 500 BCE Confucianism and Daoism both came to light. They were more considered philosophies than religions due to their lack of deities and specific afterlife. Unlike Confucianism, Daoism taught more about independence and self-help, while Confucianism taught social harmony, and keeping social order. The Daoists believed that education was corrupt and unimportant, while Confucius was himself a teacher, and taught everyone had the same potential but education kept them in social harmony and that it made people “stay in line”. Although Daoism and Confucianism are almost completely opposite; and one created basically in spite of the other, they do have something in common. Ideals from each philosophy/religion can be seen in modern Chinese religion, philosophy and government.…
Confucianism and Daoism are among the top eight religions of the world. Although they are both ancient Chinese styles of living, they have few similarities. Both of these religions share a similar goal, a goal of departing from being an individual and moving towards becoming a part of a greater whole; a greater contributor to society itself. Additionally, they both focus on the goal of self-improvement, thus improving social order. In Confucianism, the individual improves himself through orderly obedience with codes of behavior and respect for elders. Self-fulfillment is reached strictly in this life. In Daoism, the individual improves himself through examination of himself and universal energy, and the reward is mainly in the next life,…
Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism were 3 philosophies. They all had a different way of teaching but all of them wanted to end the conflicts in China. In Confucianism everyone had a rule that they had to follow. Confucius believed that well organized society need to have younger ones respect the elders and their parents. Good government and social order should be based on a strong relationship in the family. It also believes that education was important for self and society. Daoism (Taoism) is all about interacting with the society and the world as it already is. Daoism is the understanding of how the world actually works, as in reality isn’t always what we expect. Legalism believed in punishments to maintain social orders and the “free” thinkers with their ideas shouldn’t be spread and should be under the government’s control. They also believed a powerful government is the key to organized society/social order.…
The polytheistic Hinduism and compared to the more philosophical, secular Confucianism share various similarities in social policies, behavioral acceptance and philosophical however Hindu’s achieve this through the caste system while Confusion’s achieve it via Meritocracy.…
Around 2500 years ago, two major Eastern religions arose that attempted to discern the causes of human suffering and the steps needed to end it. These two, Buddhism and Taoism, originated from two very different places yet are incredibly similar. Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian prince who became the enlightened Buddha, is recognized as the founder of Buddhism; Taoism has no recognized founder but was instead developed by many great teachers, the most important being Lao-tse, a Chinese philosopher who is credited with the development of Taoism in the sixth century BC. A significant aspect of these two religions is the idea of a path to achieving a heaven-like state of being. These two religions…
Are Confucianism and Buddhism religions? To answer this question one must first find the definition of the word religion. According to our text book the word religion come from the Latin word religio which means awe for the gods and concern for proper ritual (experiencing the worlds religion 3). The definition of the word religion according to several dictionaries is a belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and worshiped as the creator and the ruler of the universe, or any specific systems of belief, worship or conduct often involving a code of ethics and philosophy. My personal definition of the word religion is anything that help people develop a self understanding, provides comfort, help people develop values and morals, and something that may answer question that may otherwise be unanswerable. Our text book also states that most religions follow eight elements, these elements are a belief system or worldview which is an interpretation of the universe and humans place in it, a community or followers who believe and practice the religion, central myths or stories that express the religious beliefs of the religion, rituals or ceremonies enacting the beliefs, ethics or rules and guidelines about human behavior, characteristic emotional experiences such as the feeling of dread, guilt, devotion, rebirth, liberation, and inner peace, material expression such as statues, rituals objects, clothing and specific location, and the last of the eight is sacredness or a distinction between ordinary things and those things that are considered sacred (experiencing world religions 45). Although these are some of the characteristic that help us define the word religion, they are not all required for something to be called a religion. Our book also states that religion is also ever changing, and is influenced by the values of the culture in which the religion exist ( experiencing world religion 11). After interpreting the results of my findings for…