Taoism And Confucianism Similarities

Confucianism and Taoism

Confucianism and Taoism are two Chinese are two of the Chinese popular religions. Confucianism was founded by Confucius while Taoism was founded by Laozi (Corduan, 2012, p. 398, 405). Both religions are founded around the same time. Confucianism and Taoism shares a lot of similarities as well as some differences. Confucianism believes in teaching moral ways for people to follow to lead a peaceful life. Confucianism believes in five relationships to assist in ways to lead a peaceful life: 1) Father and Son, 2) Elder Brother and Younger Brother, 3) Husband and Wife, 4) Elder and Junior and 5) Ruler and Subject (Corduan, 2012, p. 407). Confucianism believe in one god but also worship ancestors. Buddha is honored by some people following Confucianism but also atheists can also practice Confucianism (Diffen, n.d.). On the other hand, Taoism believes in living in harmony which originates yin and yang (Diffen, n.d.). Taoist also believes in many deities. Taoism have eight immortals who have achieved this status in different ways: 1) Li Tie Guai, 2) Zhan Guo Lao, 3) Cao Guo Jiu, 4) Han Xiang Zi, 5) Lu Dong Bin, 6) He Xian Gu, 7) Len Cai He and 8) Zhong Li Quan (Corduan, 2012, p. 401). These eight people are significant to the Taoism faith. Like Confucianism,
Buddhan is honored by some of the people following Taoism and atheists can also practice Taoism. Nevertheless, Taoism and Confucianism has their differences such as their view on a god.
Although both of the religions do not believe in a Christian God, Taoism believes in many deities while Confucianism believes in one god. The role of women are different as well. Confucianism believe women are inferior to men while Taoism believes woman are equals (Diffen, n.d.).Taoism believes people should respect nature on follow a path of goodness while Confucianism believes people should respect those who are in a higher rank. Confucianism supports a society who bonds with each other and builds together. On the other hand, Taoism believes life is pure and should not be taken for
granted. Moreover, it seems to me that both religions are more of a way of life rather than a religion. I suppose that a way of life can be a religion but I assume that having a religion would be following a god, many gods or God. Instead, these two religions focus more on how one should act instead of the teachings or worshipping of their god or gods. Both believe in a peaceful manner and in my eyes are similar to each other. As I was reading the material, it seems to mention the two religion as more of a philosophy. In conclusion, Taoism and Confucianism have their differences but also share similarities. Both of the religions are more philosophical and share a sense of zen. The differences in how they view a god or deities is a big difference between the two. Important to realize although the two have different views of a god, many people from bother religions, Confucianism and Taoism, follow Buddha, an Enlighten one. It seems like Chinese popular religion focuses more on a way of life then a chosen one.