Confucianism and Daoism Essay Example for Free

Confucianism and Daoism Essay The idea of the religion of Confucianism was developed by the Chinese philosopher Confucius. The idea of Confucianism is teaching a person to be able to have the power to make the most logical decisions on their own. It teaches its followers a greater meaning for life which then helps them to better understand death. As a religion it is a different kind of religion. It is taught to followers that there should be harmony between the ancestors, humanity and Heaven, and the secular and the sacred. For me, the idea of Daoism is much easier to understand. A way to explain Daoism is fallowing the way. The way is actually translated into the idea of Dao. Fallowing the way is just letting go and letting the force take over and control what needs to be done. In class we related the way of the Dao to Star Wars when Luke lets all technology go and lets the force take control of his actions and comes out successful. Trusting the way is trusting that the world will not lead you down the wrong path. One way that the traditions of the two religions are similar is that they both show great respect for their elders and believe that they are able to help out in their future. Both religions spend time worshiping the deceased because they believe that when they die they will be able to help them in their later lives. Both religions also have their own view of behavior and how people should be conducted. Being this way people of both religions both believe that they can co exist in peace. One major difference of the two religions is how Confucius believed that humans are naturally social beings and our abilities to be good people is naturally imbedded within us. He believed that everyone could exist in harmony if they all allowed themselves to. He believed that men who were superior to other men were able to conform to what society expected of them. Daoism has the idea that living in harmony come far less naturally than it does in Confucianism. Daoism puts much more importance on the relationship with oneself than it does with others. Another way they are different is the way they are passed down and the traditions are told to one another. Confucianism is passed down and taught through the texts of Confucius’ texts are mostly sessions between him and his students while Daoism texts are mostly writings from its creator. One thing that both religions have in common is that they believe in improvement of self. Confucianism believes that in order to live in harmony you have to be at harmony with yourself and they believe that conforming yourself to be the way that society wants you to is the best for yourself. Daoism believes that trusting the way will guide you in the right direction. By letting it take control you will be able to do make all the decisions that you are supposed to. Callie Rogus Intro to World Religions 10/19/2011.