Comparing Buddhism, Daoism, And Confucianism

Many people in the ancient world followed religions that are still important today. People were searching for answers and it seems that polytheism was not working for everyone. People began shaping their own beliefs and spreading them. Civilizations began to fall into discord and needed philosophical ideas to help reform. A great amount of thinkers pondered ideas, but only a few became well known. Although, some of the ancient religions did not last, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism affected their followers lives because of their beliefs. Some people today think that Buddhism and Hinduism are greatly similar. However, not all of that is true. The Buddha, or Gautama, grew up in a life of luxury and began to wonder about life when he had …show more content…
He believed that people needed to escape into nature like he did. He believed that people needed to follow the "dao". The "dao" was the "way of nature". Laozi disappeared into the wilderness and was followed by many people who were searching for a solid religion they could call their own. Laozi's ideas taught followers that a government was not necessary. Laozi expressed that people should withdraw from political and social life and he promoted spontaneous, individualistic, and natural behavior. The ideas told people that to find themselves, they must leave society and materials behind, just like the Buddha believed. An unbiased scholar explains to society how Daoism also aimed for a functional society like Confucianism and Buddhism because, "all three teachings lead to the creation of an orderly society" (Document 5). Daoism did not only affect their followers by leading them into the wilderness, they affected Confucianism followers by changing how they thought of relationships. Daoism still affects people today even if they do not know it. Many people think about escaping into nature and to take risks and be spontaneous. Daoism affected followers then and people today to be independently …show more content…
Confucius believed that there were five key relationships, each with a superior and inferior. This differed form Hinduism's caste system because in document seven, it explains how each caste was superior than the next, "The Brahmins, The Kshatriyas, The Vaisvas, The Sudras, and the other sub-castes". Confucius was seen as "respectful in his serving of his superiors and kind in governing the people" (Document 4). He followed his own teachings that affected how a son treated the father and vice versa. Confucianism also wanted an orderly society that was full of happiness like Hinduism. According to document 3, "overcome the angry man with gentleness". Although Hinduism taught that, Confucianism did the same. Followers of Confucius were told to treat superiors with respect even if they did not receive any themselves. Although Confucianism and Christianity did not collide, they both agreed that, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (Document 9). Confucianism and Christianity both believed that be a good person, even if people are not good to you. This affected the follower's families. Families were a very large part in the mind of Confucius like they are a big part in modern day societies. Filial piety was the most prominent aspect of families. Filial piety had the children respecting their parents through thoughts and actions. As a result of everyone knowing their place, whether superior or