You may think that Daoism and Confucianism are nothing alike, but is that really true? Sure Daoism and Confucianism seem like they’re from two different planets, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Even though there are more differences between Daoism and Confucianism than similarities, I think that the two religions are still a lot alike. The two religions have sides that make them seem like brothers, while the other side makes then seem like total strangers. Daoism and Confucianism are a lot alike yet different by their types of religion, their beliefs on deities, their origins, their founders, their writings, what they follow, and what they believe in.
First, both Daoism and Confucianism are a type of religion that many different people practice every day. They are both major religions known all over the world by millions of people, and they’re both a non-theistic religion, meaning that neither one of them believe in any deities. Since both Daoism and Confucianism are such a major part in millions of people’s lives, it brings them closer together to each other, which gives them something that they have in common with each other. They are also similar to each other because they both have the same beliefs on deities. Both Daoism and Confucianism share the one thing that’s at the center of any religion with each other, and that’s their belief on deities. Deities, or gods, are what most religions base
their entire teachings around, but not Daoism or Confucianism. Since both the religions are non-theistic, they don’t believe in any form of deities. They believe that there are no gods that exist, which makes their religions very connected to each other. Having the center of both their religions the same, makes two religions very similar to each other.
In addition, both Daoism and Confucianism are similar because of their origins. Both of the religions started in ancient times, when the first civilizations were being built. They were also both started in China, during the Zhou Dynasty. Knowing that both the religions were started in the place, during the same time makes you think that there is something that’s the same in both of the religions. There are obviously several similarities between Daoism and Confucianism, but on the contrary there is a great deal of differences between the two religions too.
First, even though their origins are the same Daoism and Confucianism have two different founders. Daoism was founded by a man named Laozi or “Old Master,” while Confucianism was founded by a man named Kong Fuzi known as the Confucius. Little is known about Laozi, but he has been credited with coming up with the philosophy that turned in to Daoism. While, Confucius was born in 551 B.C.E.; he was a brilliant scholar and came up with a philosophy that turned in to Confucianism. Daoism and Confucianism are also different because of their writings.
People, who follow Daoism, follow the writings of the Dao De Jing or The Way of Virtue. The Dao De Jing was written by Laozi, and it’s a book that had enormous influence on Chinese
life, and the people of Daoism. On the other hand, people who follow Confucianism follow the Analects. The Analects are a collection of many of Confucius’ sayings by his students, since Confucius never wrote down anything that he said. Following two different writings is a significant difference between Daoism and Confucianism because it’s at the center of the teachings for any religion, which makes the two religions totally different.
However, Daoism and Confucianism are also different because they follow different meanings of life. People, who follow Daoism, follow the Dao or “the way” of the universe. The Dao was hard to understand fully or put in to words. Laozi explained, “Those who know of the Dao do not speak of it. Those who speak of it do not know of.” While on the other hand people, who follow Confucianism, follow the Five Key Relationships. The Five Key Relationships are subject to ruler, husband to wife, parent to child, elder brother to younger brother, and friend to friend. They believe that in each relationship one person is superior and the other one is inferior, except in friend to friend where they are both equal to each other. Since Daoism and Confucianism follow two totally different meanings of life, they defer from each other a lot making the two religions different from each other.
Meanwhile, even though both Daoism and Confucianism don’t believe in any deities, they believe in two entirely different things. People, who follow Daoism, believe in being one with nature. They believe that nature is an example of how they should live their lives, and that they should turn away from anything that is “unnatural” in their lives. They also believe that every one is equal to each other, and that no one person is superior to anyone else. They think
that everyone has the right to be an individual, and that you shouldn’t try to bring any extra attention to yourself.
On the other hand, people who follow Confucianism believe in li or proper behavior. The religion of Confucianism, centers around the idea of having the proper behavior for each of the Five Key Relationships. They also believe in filial piety, or respect for one’s parents. Confucius put the respect for one’s parents above all other duties, and it’s a main focus in the religion of Confucianism. People, who follow Confucianism, also believe in having the values of honesty, hard work, and concern for others. Confucius declared, “Do not do to others, what you do not wish yourself.” Believing in several different things shows another significant difference between the religions of Daoism and Confucianism.
There are two sides to Daoism and Confucianism that once you look at one side all you see are similarities, while when you look at them again all you see is nothing but differences. Knowing that they are both non-theistic religions, they both don’t believe in any deities, and they were both founded in China during the Zhou Dynasty makes you think that they have so much in common. Yet when you know that one was founded by Laozi while the other one was founded by Confucius, one follows the writings of the Dao De Jing while the other one follows the writings of the Analects, one follows the Dao while the other one follows the Five Key Relationships, and one believes in being one with nature while the other one believes in li, you think that they have nothing in common. Learning about Daoism and Confucianism has not only taught me about how each religion is practiced, but also that the two religions are can be very
different and yet so similar at the same time. I also learned that all the religions are connected to each other because no matter what religions you compare there is always going to be similarities that bring them together, and differences that separate them apart from each other.
their entire teachings around, but not Daoism or Confucianism. Since both the religions are non-theistic, they don’t believe in any form of deities. They believe that there are no gods that exist, which makes their religions very connected to each other. Having the center of both their religions the same, makes two religions very similar to each other.
In addition, both Daoism and Confucianism are similar because of their origins. Both of the religions started in ancient times, when the first civilizations were being built. They were also both started in China, during the Zhou Dynasty. Knowing that both the religions were started in the place, during the same time makes you think that there is something that’s the same in both of the religions. There are obviously several similarities between Daoism and Confucianism, but on the contrary there is a great deal of differences between the two religions too.
First, even though their origins are the same Daoism and Confucianism have two different founders. Daoism was founded by a man named Laozi or “Old Master,” while Confucianism was founded by a man named Kong Fuzi known as the Confucius. Little is known about Laozi, but he has been credited with coming up with the philosophy that turned in to Daoism. While, Confucius was born in 551 B.C.E.; he was a brilliant scholar and came up with a philosophy that turned in to Confucianism. Daoism and Confucianism are also different because of their writings.
People, who follow Daoism, follow the writings of the Dao De Jing or The Way of Virtue. The Dao De Jing was written by Laozi, and it’s a book that had enormous influence on Chinese
life, and the people of Daoism. On the other hand, people who follow Confucianism follow the Analects. The Analects are a collection of many of Confucius’ sayings by his students, since Confucius never wrote down anything that he said. Following two different writings is a significant difference between Daoism and Confucianism because it’s at the center of the teachings for any religion, which makes the two religions totally different.
However, Daoism and Confucianism are also different because they follow different meanings of life. People, who follow Daoism, follow the Dao or “the way” of the universe. The Dao was hard to understand fully or put in to words. Laozi explained, “Those who know of the Dao do not speak of it. Those who speak of it do not know of.” While on the other hand people, who follow Confucianism, follow the Five Key Relationships. The Five Key Relationships are subject to ruler, husband to wife, parent to child, elder brother to younger brother, and friend to friend. They believe that in each relationship one person is superior and the other one is inferior, except in friend to friend where they are both equal to each other. Since Daoism and Confucianism follow two totally different meanings of life, they defer from each other a lot making the two religions different from each other.
Meanwhile, even though both Daoism and Confucianism don’t believe in any deities, they believe in two entirely different things. People, who follow Daoism, believe in being one with nature. They believe that nature is an example of how they should live their lives, and that they should turn away from anything that is “unnatural” in their lives. They also believe that every one is equal to each other, and that no one person is superior to anyone else. They think
that everyone has the right to be an individual, and that you shouldn’t try to bring any extra attention to yourself.
On the other hand, people who follow Confucianism believe in li or proper behavior. The religion of Confucianism, centers around the idea of having the proper behavior for each of the Five Key Relationships. They also believe in filial piety, or respect for one’s parents. Confucius put the respect for one’s parents above all other duties, and it’s a main focus in the religion of Confucianism. People, who follow Confucianism, also believe in having the values of honesty, hard work, and concern for others. Confucius declared, “Do not do to others, what you do not wish yourself.” Believing in several different things shows another significant difference between the religions of Daoism and Confucianism.
There are two sides to Daoism and Confucianism that once you look at one side all you see are similarities, while when you look at them again all you see is nothing but differences. Knowing that they are both non-theistic religions, they both don’t believe in any deities, and they were both founded in China during the Zhou Dynasty makes you think that they have so much in common. Yet when you know that one was founded by Laozi while the other one was founded by Confucius, one follows the writings of the Dao De Jing while the other one follows the writings of the Analects, one follows the Dao while the other one follows the Five Key Relationships, and one believes in being one with nature while the other one believes in li, you think that they have nothing in common. Learning about Daoism and Confucianism has not only taught me about how each religion is practiced, but also that the two religions are can be very
different and yet so similar at the same time. I also learned that all the religions are connected to each other because no matter what religions you compare there is always going to be similarities that bring them together, and differences that separate them apart from each other.
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