Similarities Between Confucianism And Chinese Buddhism

Register to read the introduction… The idea of nature is of huge importance and the concept of harmony with nature and oneself is the defining characteristic of the ancient Chinese belief system. There is an emphasis placed on the welfare and well being of the individual in the present life as opposed to a future one. What separates Confucianism, Taoism and Chinese Buddhism is the meaning which is associated with nature. Confucianism places emphasis on the nature of the human. Taoism focuses on harmony with the universe and Chinese Buddhism sees an amalgamation of the nature of the universe with the nature of the self and also with the Buddha nature. Chinese people however have no difficulty in living by all three traditions and have no loyalties to any specific tradition. For this project the focus will be on Confucianism and …show more content…
They believed in numerous gods, yet one particular god as if only he existed. The term for this practice is known as Kathenotheism. The majority of Gods are male and embody forces usually related to the sky example Indra God of thunder and storms. There are many stories that revolve around the chief Gods of the Aryan’s. Examples of these stories would be Gods leading people out of battles to victory; others deal with the fertility and growth, Gods bringing rain and fruitful crops. Gods have the ability to protect the animals and the females during birth and bless them with fertility. A side from the sky there are Gods that exist who are associated with the Sun, namely Vishnu and Agni. The Gods were worshipped by mainly animal sacrifices and the purpose of the practice was to bring pleasure to the God of their choice. Brahman is a force that flows through the universe. It is an immense power and is ultimately the Supreme Being. There is reference to Brahman in the Rig Veda it is believed to connect everything in the cosmos. Brahman gives sacrifices their efficacy and can allow humans to come into contact with the divine. The Vedic period lasted a thousand years, the scriptures of this time still exist but the Gods however have diminished in their power of have established a new importance. The Vedas today believe mainly in the beliefs of the Upanishads. Most of their documents were comprised in the seventh century BC they show reference to the beliefs of the Aryan people as they moved into Indian Territory. A development of practices was brought about by men known as the hermits of minus. They resided in the forests and practiced meditation and asceticism their goal was to induce mystical experience. They believed the body could create a power similar to electricity, this was achieved through the mortification of the body, and Brahman was the main element in their goal. This progression expanded the meaning of