Taoism teaches followers to be peaceful towards all and not struggle against the world’s happenings. It urges believers to adopt physical and hygienic practices and to attain harmony between other people, the natural world, and the cosmos. Meditation was believed to emphasize the unity of the emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual identity. Taoism believes that the world is a balance between many pairs of opposites, such as light and dark, male and female, and good and evil. Thus, the yin-yang is a prominent symbol of Taoism. The primary goal of the religion is to return to a wholly natural, almost childlike state, living in perfect harmony with the world and the other people in it.
The main lesson of Confucianism is to teach followers how to think about things and the world around them. It promoted the adoration of ancestors, education in history and culture, as well as the creation of harmonious hierarchal bonds and teachings or moral and ethical principles.
Confucianism perpetuates teachings which resemble the Golden Rule, urging followers to treat all others kindly and with respect. This philosophy taught that all men can constantly improve themselves through education and study, and helping others, and even stated at one point that Taoism could be improved upon. Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism, disagreed and thought that there existed some men who simply could not be taught.
Confucianism and Taoism were both founded nearly 2500 years ago, yet the amount of followers of Confucianism outnumbers Taoism 7 to 1! There are nearly 350 million followers, whereas Taoism has 50 million. Confucianism does not offer any step by step program to reach an ultimate goal, but rather offers One Thread (humanity and love) which is woven through all of its teachings. It professes that the primary goal should be to strive for perfect virtue, righteousness and the improvement of character. Confucianism also stresses proper conduct, self cultivation, harmony in the family and peace in the empire.
Taoism (translating to Tao Jia or Tao Jiao, meaning School of Tao or Religion of Tao), China’s oldest indigenous religion, teaches that happiness and a longer life can be achieved through practices of prayer, magic, proper diet, breath control, meditation, and recitation of scripture. It’s founder, Lao Tzu (“Master Old” or “Old Infant”), who wrote Tao Te Ching, the religions sacred text, was a hermit who was disgusted with the world and wanted to depart to the mountains in the West. Upon his departure, he came across a gatekeeper to whom he recited his lessons in “five thousand words.”
A common myth surrounding Confucianism is its founder. Many believe that since it shares the name with Confucius, that he was the religion’s creator. However, it actually predates him by nearly 100 years. There was a strong link between his values and the religions beliefs, so they aptly named it Confucianism, and Confusions was its first sage.
Other than being founded around the same time, the two religions both represent China, one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Neither religions have a belief in God (Confucianism denies the existence altogether while Taoism believes in many gods, although their Taoist priests hold superiority), “worship” spirits of ancestors (but rather urge intense admiration), have a religious headquarters or governing body, or have fixed religious services (they can both be practiced anywhere).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism
http://www.religioustolerance.org/taoism…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianis…
http://www.religioustolerance.org/confuc…
The main lesson of Confucianism is to teach followers how to think about things and the world around them. It promoted the adoration of ancestors, education in history and culture, as well as the creation of harmonious hierarchal bonds and teachings or moral and ethical principles.
Confucianism perpetuates teachings which resemble the Golden Rule, urging followers to treat all others kindly and with respect. This philosophy taught that all men can constantly improve themselves through education and study, and helping others, and even stated at one point that Taoism could be improved upon. Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism, disagreed and thought that there existed some men who simply could not be taught.
Confucianism and Taoism were both founded nearly 2500 years ago, yet the amount of followers of Confucianism outnumbers Taoism 7 to 1! There are nearly 350 million followers, whereas Taoism has 50 million. Confucianism does not offer any step by step program to reach an ultimate goal, but rather offers One Thread (humanity and love) which is woven through all of its teachings. It professes that the primary goal should be to strive for perfect virtue, righteousness and the improvement of character. Confucianism also stresses proper conduct, self cultivation, harmony in the family and peace in the empire.
Taoism (translating to Tao Jia or Tao Jiao, meaning School of Tao or Religion of Tao), China’s oldest indigenous religion, teaches that happiness and a longer life can be achieved through practices of prayer, magic, proper diet, breath control, meditation, and recitation of scripture. It’s founder, Lao Tzu (“Master Old” or “Old Infant”), who wrote Tao Te Ching, the religions sacred text, was a hermit who was disgusted with the world and wanted to depart to the mountains in the West. Upon his departure, he came across a gatekeeper to whom he recited his lessons in “five thousand words.”
A common myth surrounding Confucianism is its founder. Many believe that since it shares the name with Confucius, that he was the religion’s creator. However, it actually predates him by nearly 100 years. There was a strong link between his values and the religions beliefs, so they aptly named it Confucianism, and Confusions was its first sage.
Other than being founded around the same time, the two religions both represent China, one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Neither religions have a belief in God (Confucianism denies the existence altogether while Taoism believes in many gods, although their Taoist priests hold superiority), “worship” spirits of ancestors (but rather urge intense admiration), have a religious headquarters or governing body, or have fixed religious services (they can both be practiced anywhere).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism
http://www.religioustolerance.org/taoism…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianis…
http://www.religioustolerance.org/confuc…
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