Compare And Contrast Zangzi And Confucianism

Improved Essays
For thousands of years, Confucianism and Daoism—two very noble and virtuous ideologies—have been practiced in the world. Correspondingly, teachings of both Confucius and Zhuangzi have proven incredibly influential in cultures around the world and has inspired many in political activeness, music, art, film, poetry, and much more. Joseph Smith once stated, “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.” Meaning the faithful are taught the truth and they follow their own paths guided by those correct and inspirational teachings. With that being said, the teachings of Confucius best fit this idea. Firstly, Confucius attributed all the ills of his day to societal leaders. Claiming they “neglected the old rites, were performing them incorrectly, or usurping rites and ceremonies to which they were not entitled. For as correct observance of the rites was a sign of a perfect social order and the source of all spiritual enlightenment.” Accordingly, the desertion or misuse of these reflected and alluded to spiritual darkness and moral disorder. Going along with this idea is the story of the Duke of Zhou speaking to the remnants of the Yin Dynasty puts forth the idea of the Mandate of Heaven. …show more content…
There are many that know the truth but do not follow it, there are people that love the truth but do not fully understand it, and there are those who delight in it—who fully understand it and love to dwell in it through actions (service, prayer, scripture study, etc.). Both Confucius and Joseph Smith encourage others to recognize the truth and to not only know or love it, but to delight in it—putting knowledge and action together and feasting upon the words of

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    In the year 517 B.C, a man named Laozi (Lao Tzu), a contributor of Taoism (Daoism), was born. Not a lot was known about his life, but it was known that he worked at the royal court during the Zhou dynasty. Because of the growing corruption in the palace, Laozi decided to leave, but before he left, Laozi left behind his will, widely recognized today as the Tao Te Ching. Throughout history, there has been a battle for China’s most dominant religion. The two contenders were Taoism and Confucianism.…

    • 411 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the East, particular within the great ancient Chinese civilizations, two very different kinds of point to view of being Human had come to flourish in the Chinese culture. Which till this very day influences the day by day tasks and challenges faced by many. On one side there is the world renowned teachings of Confucius (Kongzi) which talks of becoming the perfect society via men who become the perfect gentlemen that followed his teachings in his Analects. On the other side we have the life lessons and guides of another by the name of Laozi. Whose approach on life was drastically different compared to Kongzi’s perfect society, in which he preached the Dao (the way).…

    • 534 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    China has one of the longest known histories in ancient world history. As civilization developed, so did the ideology of philosophy, society, and the world. There are three philosophies, and one religion that played a significant role in establishing Chinese history. These philosophies are Confucianism, Legalism, and Buddhism. Each has its own meanings; each had its own ways of seeing the nature of human beings, society and the universe.…

    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Confucianism became the basis for order and respect and was central in governing China.” (Document 5). Confucianism was adopted all around the world and many other civilizations and cultures had philosophies similar to the principles of Confucianism. To the innovative part of ancient China, it was one of the most helpful civilizations from the river valley areas. This civilization invented many things that would soon be used around the world and were some of the most useful inventions that we still use today.…

    • 1122 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Han Dynasty Influence

    • 557 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Zhou Dynasty instilled that heaven gave authority to the truthful person that was worthy and recognized as a descendants of heaven. (Bentley and Ziegler 84) The Zhou Dynasty laws were taught in Chinese schools. The Book of Changes, the Book of History, and the Book of Etiquettes served as were teachings of Zhou Dynasty that were in the text books. (Bentley and Ziegler…

    • 557 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Thesis: Confucius as one of the most influential thinkers in Chinese history and his teaching of Confucianism have being the mainstream thinking of Chinese traditional culture for thousands of years. Most importantly, Confucius’s teachings have a profound influence on the Chinese political system. This statement, with supporting evidence that will be presented in this essay will show that Confucius’ teaching of Confucianism has being used in the Chinese government for thousands of years and it still affects the Chinese political system to this day. Short overview for the paper:…

    • 179 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Confucianism is a belief that is based on more philosophical than religious ideas. Confucian concerns are ethical and considered the family the basic unit of society. Elders were respected, and men were made, not born. These beliefs led to the mandate of Heaven which said “a good ruler was thought to possess a divine right to govern,” and “If a ruler governed…

    • 1771 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The founder of this social and political philosophy was Confucius, who was born to a rich family in Northern China and became a teacher and political advisor His thoughts and saying were recorded in the book, Analects. Confucianism focuses on five fundamental relationships; ruler to subject, parent to child, husband and wife, older to younger siblings, and friend and friend. They believe when all people follow the right structure and roles society is orderly and predictable. Some of the key concepts of Confucianism were ren, humanity, kindness, and benevolence, Li, propriety, courtesy, and deference to elders, and xiao, filial piety. It was believed that everyone who fulfilled these roles of ren, li and xiao would become excellent administrators.…

    • 1619 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Confucian Analects is a record of Confucius’s sayings collected by his students. In this book, there is a sentences that tell us we have to reflect on ourselves“Thrice daily I ask myself: In dealing for others, have I been unfaithful? Have I been untrue to friends? Do I practice what I preach?”…

    • 967 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Daoism and Confucianism are two antique Chinese approaches to existing. The former is based on the idea of harmonious and well-balanced living. The latter considers that it is necessary to set appropriate examples through five relationships, which are ruler and follower, older and younger relative, wife and husband, friend and friend, and father and son, for others to follow. Both these philosophies have some features of religion, but mostly they seem to oppose each other. Confucianism seems to be worldlier.…

    • 706 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Each respective set of principles seeks to make the world virtuous by its own standards. Confucianism reflects the morally conservative ideas of corrective punishments and ones duty to society. Document A suggests ideas to “secure the submission of the people” through social order and corrective action. Similarly, Document D describes ways for a ruler to encourage men to “cultivate their filial piety, brotherly respect, loyalty, and faithfulness.” Both evidences for Confucianism illustrate how leaders can correct the people and promote Ren through their own virtue.…

    • 498 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    He taught moral conduct and suggested the idea of what people would do and what is right to do. Confucius wanted his disciples to improve their human nature and characters through moral conduct. Among the disciples who succeeded to the philosophy of Confucius, Mencius and Xunzi are most famous and their theories have been studied until now because they argued the perfectly opposite philosophy and developed Confucianism. Mencius believed that people are born to be good and human nature is kind. His idea which is based on Confucius’ thoughts contains values that people should pursue and positive side of human nature.…

    • 1847 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Confucianism and Taoism are primeval Chinese religions. They were both philosophies, which began in China. Neither were proposed to be religions at the era though by tradition they have been treated as such by many adherents and scholars. It is very difficult to separate Chinese religions given that most exist simultaneously within each practice and beliefs. However, there are certain elements that make each religion stand out as its own.…

    • 777 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The final value of confucianism that impressed me is shu, or the “silver rule” (SG 1). I was taught the “golden rule” as a young child which stated, “do onto others as you would have them do onto you”. It is easy for me to appreciate the “silver rule” which require those seeking authoritativeness must “not impose on others what you yourself do not desire” because it is the negation of the golden rule, which I subscribe…

    • 1030 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    there was no worshiping or personal relationship with god but recognized heaven as a concern. Confucius emphasized five virtues which are the ideals of confucianism. Confucian virtues were something that reflected sincerity and inner…

    • 1105 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays