Buddhism and Daoism - Essay Example

Compare and Contrast Buddhism and Daoism Introduction: There are so many religions and beliefs in the world, and every religion and belief is best in its place. It is not easy to compare any religion with others. As every country has a specific language, cultural and social values like this a country has also a religion which is common to people of that country. A country may have more than one religion as a religion is a personal matter of people living in the country. Buddhism and Daoism are also religions. Below these religions are explained in detail. Buddhism and Its Creation: Buddhism does not believe in a personal God or a divine being; it does not have worship, praying to, or praising of a divine being (although some sects do.) It offers no form of redemption, forgiveness, no heavenly hope, or a final judgment to those practicing its system. Buddhism is a moral philosophy, an ethical way to live for the here and now of this world to gain the ultimate state. It has more in common with humanism and atheism than its original religion Hinduism it separated from. But Buddhism is not atheism just because they don’t believe in a personal God. It is more like pantheism, there is an impersonal force the void which is the ultimate. For centuries, Buddhism has been the dominant religion of the Eastern world and still remains the predominant religion in China, Japan, Korea, as well as Southeast Asia. In Japan alone there are approximately 200 sects. This makes it difficult to address this religion as a whole since it can be so diversified.1 Starting of Buddhism: Gautama, whose personal name according to later sources was Siddhartha, was born in ancient India. It is believed that he was born in the city of Lumbini and raised in Kapilavastu, near the modern town of Taulihawa, Nepal. The traditional story of his life is as follows; little of this can be regarded as established historical fact. Born a prince, his father, King Suddhodana, was supposedly visited by a wise man shortly after Siddhartha was born and told that Siddhartha would either become a great king (chakravartin) or a holy man (Sadhu). Determined to make Siddhartha a king, the father tried to shield his son from the unpleasant realities of daily life. Despite his fathers efforts, at the age of 29, he discovered the suffering of his people, first through an encounter with an elderly man. On subsequent trips outside the palace, he encountered various sufferings such as a diseased man, a decaying corpse, and an ascetic. These are often termed The Four Sights.” After abandoning asceticism and concentrating instead upon meditation and Anapanasati (awareness of breathing in and out), Gautama is said to have discovered what Buddhists call the Middle Way—a path of moderation that lies mid-way between the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification. He accepted a little milk and rice pudding from a village girl and then, sitting under a pipal tree or Sacred fig, (Ficus religiosa), now known as the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, he vowed never to arise until he had found the Truth. His five companions, believing that he had abandoned his search and become undisciplined, left. After 49 days meditating, at the age of 35, he attained bodhi, also known as "Awakening" or "Enlightenment" in the West. After his attainment of bodhi he was known as Buddha or Gautama Buddha and spent the rest of his life teaching his insights (Dharma). According to scholars, he lived around the fifth century BCE, but his more exact birthdate is open to debate. He died around the age of 80 in Kushinagara (Pali Kusinara)(India). Divisions The original teachings and monastic organization established by Buddha have been referred to as pre-sectarian Buddhism, but all the current divisions within Buddhism are too much influenced by later history to warrant inclusion under this name. The most frequently used classification of present-day Buddhism among scholars divides present-day adherents into the following three traditions or geographical or cultural areas: Theravada, East Asian Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. An alternative scheme used by some scholars has two divisions, Theravada and Mahayana. In this classification, Mahayana includes both East Asian and Tibetan Buddhism. This scheme is the one ordinarily used in the English language. Some scholars use other schemes. Buddhists themselves have a variety of other schemes.2 Daoism and Its Creation: Taoism (or Daoism) is the English name referring to a variety of related Chinese philosophical traditions and concepts. These traditions influenced East Asia for over two thousand years and some have spread internationally. Taoist propriety and ethics emphasize the Three Jewels of the Tao; namely, compassion, moderation, and humility. Taoist thought focuses on wu wei ("non-action"), spontaneity, humanism, and emptiness. An emphasis is placed on the link between people and nature. Taoism teaches that this link lessened the need for rules and order, and leads one to a better understanding of the world. The character Tao (or Dao, depending on the romanisation scheme) means "path" or "way", but in Chinese religion and philosophy it has taken on more abstract meanings. Tao is rarely an object of worship, being treated more like the Indian concepts of atman and dharma. The word "Taoism" is used to translate different Chinese terms. Daojiao/Taochiao ("teachings/religion of the Dao") refers to Daoism as a religion. Daojia/Taochia ("school of the Dao") refers to the studies of scholars, or "philosophical" Daoism. However, most scholars have abandoned the dichotomy of "religious" and "philosophical" Daoism. Most traditional Chinese Taoists are polytheistic. Nature and ancestor spirits are also common in popular Taoism. Organized Taoism distinguishes its ritual activity from that of the folk religion, which some professional Taoists (Daoshi) view as debased. This sort of shamanism is eschewed for an emphasis on internal alchemy among the "elite" Taoists. Starting of Daoism: Taoisms origins may be traced to prehistoric Chinese religions in China. They are found in the composition of the Tao Te Ching (3rd or 4th century BCE), or amidst the activity of Zhang Daoling (2nd century AD). Laozi received imperial recognition as a divinity in the mid second century CE. Taoism gained official status in China during the Tang Dynasty, whose emperors claimed Laozi as their relative. Several Song emperors, most notably Huizong, were active in promoting Taoism, collecting Taoist texts and publishing editions of the Daozang. Aspects of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism were consciously synthesised in the Neo-Confucian school, which eventually became Imperial orthodoxy for state bureaucratic purposes. The Qing Dynasty, however, much favored Confucian classics and rejected Taoist works. During the eighteenth century, the imperial library was constituted, but excluded virtually all Taoist books. By the beginning of the twentieth century, Taoism had fallen so much from favor, that only one complete copy of the Daozang still remained, at the White Cloud Monastery in Beijing. Taoism is one of five religions recognised by the PRC, which insists on controlling its activities through a state bureaucracy (the China Taoist Association). Contrast between Buddhism and Daoism: Ideological and political rivals in ancient times, Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism have inevitably deeply influenced one another, and eventually achieved a kind of modus vivendi in which each has its own particular ecological niche within Chinese society. With time, most Chinese people likewise came to identify to some extent with all three traditions simultaneously. This became institutionalised by the time of the Song Dynasty, when aspects of the three schools were consciously synthesised in the Neo-Confucian school, which eventually became Imperial orthodoxy for state bureaucratic purposes.3 The similarities between Taoism and Buddhism in the belief of life after death far outweigh the differences. Both religions believe the individual must focus on the self to achieve the ultimate goal. To focus on one, all desires and personal ambitions must be forsaken. One must focus on the self and the proper way of life to reach immortality. The cycle of life continues indefinitely until the Thread of Life is broken. Only through proper living, and by following the correct path guided by the Inner Light, can one achieve the ultimate goal of Tao or Nirvana.4 Both the Buddhist philosophy and the Tao philosophy grew out of older, more dogmatic philosophies filled with complex rituals - Buddhism from Hinduism in India and Taoism from Confucianism in China. Buddhism started in India by a prince named Siddhartha Guatama, later known as the Buddha. Buddha based his beliefs on Hinduism, but made changes according to his lifes experiences. The "Middle Way" taught by the Buddha is a life between self-indulgence (indicative of Buddhas life as a prince) and self-renunciation (indicative of Buddhas life as an ascetic starving himself trying to find the answer to lifes miseries.) While Hinduism had older, truer and deeper roots in Indians racial consciousness, Buddhism was based on universal, idealistic qualities. (Yutang 378) He adapted practical beliefs that could be followed by all people. Confucianism also had deep roots into Chinas culture. A part of its teaching was based on learning from your ancestors; and taking social action and participation in the governing of society based on their mistakes. Confucianism had a practical sense of proportions. (Yutang 625) Laotse developed Taoism, a deep and private kind of philosophy of how to deal with everyday life. Taoists believe that life on earth can be happy and peaceful. Living according to the "Tao" deals with a way of learning, appreciating and working with whatever happens during a persons life on earth. However, Buddhists believe that life on earth is a revolving wheel of pain. Man must go through a series of life and rebirth until he attains Enlightenment. The ultimate goal is to attain Nirvana, or freedom from the birth, death cycles. There are two stages to Nirvana. In its first stage, man reaches Enlightenment, a blissful state. His mind is liberated, but according to his philosophy of compassion for mankind, he remains on earth teaching others how to transcend this world of suffering. In its second stage, Nirvana is freedom from existence on earth. A persons "karma" (deeds) is liberated from his body and remains in Nirvana. Unlike its parent religion, Hinduism, man does not have to go through the caste system until he reaches the Brahmin caste. Any man from any caste can attain Nirvana. The Taoist concept of heaven (Tien) is a part of the Great Four of the universe - Tao, Heaven, earth and man. The Tao, "way" or "process" of life itself, is a part of nature and the eternal process of change. It is the thread that holds all heaven, earth and man together, as a part of the universe. Life and death are part of this process. Everything is a part of nature, therefore the mind lives on. According to the Buddhists philosophy, life on earth is so terrible; man must always be preparing himself for liberation from this cycle of life and rebirth. The Taoists concept is more positive. If you learn to live by the Tao; to be aware that everything is a part of a continuous natural process, you can enjoy life. Whether it is attaining Nirvana or the Tao, both Buddha and Laotse agree that neither concept can be explained by words. Buddha preached "do not waste time in useless questions. Instead, spend your time seeking ways to end your suffering. Then you will find out what Nirvana is. No one will have to tell you." (Edmonds 22) Laotse in the Book of Tao states that the Absolute Tao cannot be explained in words and "teaching without words.... Are without compare in the universe." (607) to reach Nirvana or attain the Tao, we must first free ourselves of the illusions in this world. In Buddhism the relative truth is subject to "Maya," the world of senses. Similarly in Taoism, perception determines our values. The "Empty Mind" in the Taoist philosophy often uses the analogy of a baby whose mind is not overstuffed with thoughts, and opinions. The "True Mind" of Buddhism describes a mind free of discriminations brought about by information and habits of the world. In both cases, in order for man to understand his own true nature and the true nature of the world, he must be able to free his mind of the aversions of knowledge. Both Taoists and Buddhists believe that the true nature of man is good. Taoists believe that in every man, there is a clever person, a know-it-all, etc.; but each person must reach beyond these parts of his personality to his "inner nature" of wisdom and simplicity. The Principle of Reversion in the Taoist religion uses the analogy of an Uncarved Block of wood. It is in such a natural state that man is closest to the Tao. The laws of nature will work within that person to enable him to live a moral life. Everyone has some limitations; but everyone and everything has a place and a function. Chuangtse in his "Deformities or Evidences of Full Character" (651) explains this concept with relation to a deformed person, Aitai. When people realized his "inner nature", they admired him. His deformity released him from the expectations of society and he was able to understand and live by the "Tao". The outward form of the body did not matter, only his "inner nature". No two people are alike; we must learn to realize who we are, what we have to work with and what works for us. If we discover things we dont like about ourselves, we can change them. We dont need to change the world, just the way we relate to it. As in Taoism, Buddhism believes we cannot change the world, but we can change ourselves inside. The four Noble Truths explains that suffering is universal, desire is the cause of suffering, suffering can be eliminated by discipline and self-control and following the Eightfold path leads to the destruction of pain. The Buddhas code of behavior is the Eightfold Path - rights doctrine, right purpose, right discourse, right behavior, right purity, right thought, right solitude, and right rapture. These can be divided into three categories - wisdom (right doctrine, right purpose) morality (right discourse, right behavior and right purity), and meditation (right solitude and right rapture). The right doctrine is to understand the four Noble Truths; and the right purpose is compassion for all forms of life. The right discourse is to speak kindly and truthfully; while the right behavior is to act skillfully avoiding vain or violent effort. The right purity is to earn a living that will not harm another. The right thought is to use ones time for self-improvement; and the right solitude is concentration on self-awareness and compassion. The right rapture is to meditate and concentrate on the awakening of the mind or Enlightenment. The Buddhas must teach people how to act, how to be wise. The onus is then on the individual to follow these rules. If he does, he will understand the reality of the world, and transcend all human imperfections. The fundamental beliefs of Buddhism and Taoism deal with the ultimate causes and underlying nature of life. Yutang in his introduction to Chuangstes "Chinese Mysticism" states that Chuangtses development of Laotses thesis on the rhythm of life is the only metaphysics existing in Chinese literature before the coming of Buddhism. (626) The Taoist and Buddhists beliefs of human conduct differ in their reasoning as to "why" things happen. With Taoism, everything that happens is a part of the natural and eternal process of change. Buddhists believe suffering on earth is caused by mans desires and attachments to earthly goods. Both Taoists and Buddhists believe there is nothing they can do about what happens on earth. However, the Taoist lives a life of humility and quietude in order to have a good life on earth; whereas, the Buddhists life of humble existence is to escape the miseries of life on earth.5 Reference: Read More