Chang’an, literally meaning “constant peace”, was the most cosmopolitan city in the world during the Post Classical Era and the best known segment of the Silk Road. With a population of about two million at its largest, Chang’an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, was a major conduit for China’s second Golden Age. Although Chang’an was a cultural melting pot influenced by foreigners such as the Turks and Indians, it was economically, politically, and socially unique. Economically, the Equal Field System, Grand Canal, production of high-demand crops, and market places allowed the government to prosper and the general wealth of the city to flourish, while contributing to trade. Politically, the Tang dynasty, along with its court and bureaucratic approach based on merit, enabled Chang’an to attain peace and organization. Socially, Chang’an’s contributions to Buddhism, formation of Neo- Confucianism, and arts created a dynamic culture.…
Christianity and Buddhism are two different religions that developed and spread contemporaneously in during the Classical Period different territories. Both of them share some similarities as well as differences. Both of these religions were founded based upon different principles taught by different people; in Buddhism’s case Gautama Buddha a thinker and in Christianity’s it is Jesus Christ who is a prophet. These two universal doctrines spread in times of chaos, in which citizens of their own territories were looking forward to achieve salvation of any kind. Although alike these two doctrines didn’t have a same concept of what is divinity is nor they spread in the same societies. In Buddhism they started spreading in the Indian society and for Christianity in the Mediterranean society conquered by Rome. Both of these religions were the most influential and important doctrines which spread during the Classical Period.…
Although Buddhism was not accepted when it was first introduced to China, it has its positive aspects and was later on respected. In these documents, the authors- whether they may be a Chinese scholar, Confucian scholar, or a Buddhist scholar- display either animosity towards Buddhism, enthusiasm and encouragement towards the teachings of Buddhism, or a neutral opinion of not only the Buddhist ways, but the Confucian as well.…
While the influence of Buddhism brought negative and positive responses from Chinese and Confucian scholars, Emperors, and Buddhists, it also brought an unbiased response toward Buddhism from Buddhist and Chinese scholars. An Anonymous Chinese scholar presents an unbiased response with the use of questions and answers.( Doc3) Although the scholar establishes a set of questions and answers that give a guide to defend buddhism against HOSTILE questions, he shows a sense of coexistence between Buddhism and COnfucianism. ( Doc 3) In addition, Zong MI, a Buddhist scholar also shares his unbiased response toward Confucius, Laozi, and Buddha. H e aARGUES for equality of all the philosophies as well as emphazies that they all lead to…
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”…
Instructions: Complete and submit one worksheet for Hinduism OR Buddhism (week two), Taoism OR Confucianism (week three), and Shinto (week four). A total of three worksheets for the course. You will be researching some 25 aspects of each religious tradition: a total of 75 items for the course. This assignment is based on the course text readings. For full credit the worksheet, a) must be completed in full (25 separate entries), b) must identify your specific topic for each entry, c) must provide dates for entries 1-10, d) must provide examples or illustrations for each entry to explain your thoughts and ideas, and e) must not contain multiple or redundant entries of the same information (people, events,…
Chapter 2 treats the period from 200 B.C. to A.D 400: the consolidations and initial expansions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity. Bentley book emphasizes the role of merchants generally, the role of elites in voluntary conversions, the syncretic nature of all results, and the importance of imperial peace in promoting cross-cultural encounters. Such encounters briefly declined with imperial collapses.…
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,…
Scriptures from both the Confucianist and Daoist perspectives on ideal governments and individual life styles mainly depict the two religions in a contrasting manner, but they also reveal some similarities in their purposes. While both religions ultimately seek attainment of a flawless society through the betterment of their people, they accomplish this through much different means: a strict government based on filial piety within Confucianism and a more lax system centered around unity and morality within Daoism. Comparing the scriptures of both faiths allows an almost exact means of understanding their values and religious basis for the creation of their social systems, such as government…
The definition of Ultimate Reality is different across all religions. Based on chapter one of the textbook, Ultimate Reality can be categorized into three different terms. These terms are theistic, monistic, and non-theistic. The religions studied so far all have different beliefs in the Ultimate Reality, as well as some similarities between them. Out of the seven religions that have been covered so far, all of them believe in different Ultimate Reality’s whilst also being inspired by some other religion.…
To understand why Confucianism is a religion, there must be an understanding of what a religion is. Religion can be defined as an interest, belief, or an activity that is important to a group of people. It is a united practice or belief, which connects worldviews of humanity to an order of one’s existence. The practices of a religion can include sacrifices, festivals, as well as rituals, which are an integral part of all religions. A ritual is “a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order” (CITE). Religious rituals reinforce the principles of a religion and are a symbolic way for individuals to create meaningful connections in their lives. Such rituals exist in Confucianism; one…
The first point to be understood about Confucianism is that it is not a religion. Confucianism is an ethical system. However, it does have religious traits (Chiyun 337). The Confucianist accepts the existence of a supreme being. Similar to how Christians accept the existence of a God. The trait of mercy and love is commonly held by Buddhism and Confucianism. Confucianist’s belief in prayer is just the same as a Christian or a Buddhist. The difference of Confucianism in relation to being a religion is that it does not promise nirvana as a reward for believing. The purpose of Confucianism is to convince people to behave by teaching different concepts.…
Daoism and Confucianism are the most popular traditional beliefs in China and have been existed for more than 2000 years. The similarities of the two beliefs are the basics and concepts to improve individuals? behavior. Daoism and Confucianism differentiate themselves on the primary focus with different methods and the way practices of each belief.…
The idea of the religion of Confucianism was developed by the Chinese philosopher Confucius. The idea of Confucianism is teaching a person to be able to have the power to make the most logical decisions on their own. It teaches its followers a greater meaning for life which then helps them to better understand death. As a religion it is a different kind of religion. It is taught to followers that there should be harmony between the ancestors, humanity and Heaven, and the secular and the sacred.…
Since the ancient time, there were a lot of different religions and teachings in China, and people’s perspectives and attitudes were influenced by these different religions and philosophical teachings in every aspect in their life. There are three major religions, or teachings, that are very important in Chinese history, which are Confucianism (philosophical teachings), Buddhism and Daoism (considered both a religion and philosophical teaching). Confucianism emphasizes the moral standards in human’s daily life ; the Buddhism concentrates on the rituals of the spiritual life ; and Taoism emphasizes the connection of individuals and nature in the harmonious space . These…