The Purpose of Confucianism and Taoism
Confucianism has two important concepts: li and ren – etiquette and compassion. These are two of the most crucial tenets of Confucian doctrine. Taoists have little use for the former, etiquette is no great preoccupation of Taoism, for that matter neither is doctrine. Yet they have great use for compassion, or tz’u. “I have just three things to teach” says Lao Tzu, “simplicity, patience, compassion. These three things are your greatest treasures” (Tao Te Ching, ch. 5). “If one sets one’s heart on ren, there will be none he hates” say the Analects (4.4). This shared dedication to “human-heartedness” is at the core of both religions, however much they mock eachother. Also at the core of both is harmony.
Confucianism has two important concepts: li and ren – etiquette and compassion. These are two of the most crucial tenets of Confucian doctrine. Taoists have little use for the former, etiquette is no great preoccupation of Taoism, for that matter neither is doctrine. Yet they have great use for compassion, or tz’u. “I have just three things to teach” says Lao Tzu, “simplicity, patience, compassion. These three things are your greatest treasures” (Tao Te Ching, ch. 5). “If one sets one’s heart on ren, there will be none he hates” say the Analects (4.4). This shared dedication to “human-heartedness” is at the core of both religions, however much they mock eachother. Also at the core of both is harmony.