Meaning, the experiential facets of the human significance and the insights the person achieves with these religions are what makes them what they are today, fundamentally self sustaining and self full-filling; essentially, what you make of it. So the more of your heart you pour into the religion, the more you reap in benefits, as one believes. The experience each practitioner has will almost surly be different in the outcomes. For example, in an extreme environment, through meditation, one could come to the conclusion that self worth is viable or unaccepted based on the level of conscienceless one achieves. I know this is the likeliest of scenarios, but it addresses an important part of these religions, questioning the normalcy, Confucianism and self identification, selfhood, in Taoism. The incredible diversity of beliefs that the average Chinese citizen adheres to, are almost surreal to me. I guess if one is brought up in this environment, they have no issues practicing these faiths and ways of living. The importance of “divination and ancestral rites,” (Nigosian 236) shall basically be maintained no matter what, as there strongest ethical code. Mostly associated with Confucianism, the expectations are those to adhere to the old way …show more content…
As the key to both religions is, n my humble opinion, essentially self purification, through prayer and meditation. In denouncement, the Smart’s Seven Dimensions of Religion, which include, ritual practice, doctrinal philosophical, mythic or narrative, experiential/emotional, ethical/legal, organization social and material/artistic have been addressed to the best of my abilities and knowledge based on the research I have conducted. With this said, these two religions have engaged my critical thinking of my day-to-day activities and how I go about conducting myself in my personal life as well as my professional life. Taoism “stands alongside Confucianism as one of the two great religious/philosophical systems of China.” (Hansen 2007) I strongly feel that a trait within the Taoist religion, even though I could not fully embrace the entire religion, my understanding of the Yin and Yang, I think I could embrace; for every action, there is an equal, and opposite reaction. With Confucianism, my perspective on this religion changed,