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The social, economic, and political facets in East Asia have been immensely influenced by a number of religions and religious doctrines, especially during the classical era. Buddhism and Confucianism are the two distinctive dogmas that impacted Chinese and Indian societies tremendously. It is important to highlight that Buddhism is also practiced in certain parts of Vietnam, Mongolia, and Taiwan. Although both Buddhism and Confucianism have different beliefs and principles, both doctrines yearn to affect the lives of their believers to live morally and ethically in their daily life.
As far as Confucianism is concerned, it has been successful in shaping the societies, ethics, and politics of East Asian regions (especially China) for about 2000 years. Confucius, the most important Chinese philosopher, developed Confucianism as a unique philosophy. It gives attention to the behavior and performance of people in their everyday life. In fact, Confucianism is an intricate set of moral and ethical rules that utters the ways an individual must relate to other people. It contributes principally in the formation of the standards of social morality. As a consequence, it has greatly impacted the customs and traditions in private, familial, and communal relationships. In addition, Confucianism also influences education in a significant manner (Huang & Gove 10).
For example, Chinese families consider education a family business. Even though children have the responsibility of their academic success, parents in Chinese families have a firm belief that the educational accomplishments of their kids are tremendously impacted by their distinctive parenting practices. Based on Confucianism, they regard family to be focal point of a person’s life and daily survival that also includes educational practice. Thus, Chinese parents feel that they are obligatory to facilitate their children in building their educational success (Huang & Gove 11).
On the other hand, Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism in the Northern India in the 6th century BCE. Dukkha, Samudāya, Nirodha, and Magga are the four noble truths that represent the basic concept of Buddhism. Buddhism also believes in the importance of reality perception, mindfulness, existing moment, and kindness. The mentioned teachings of Buddhism have a great influence on the East Asian daily life and communication behaviors. To be specific, Buddhism values the practice of simplicity and spirituality as the ultimate way of life. A lot of East Asian families that follow Buddhism teachings live an austere life for cultivating the Buddhist qualities of modesty, meekness and gratitude. However, it does not imply that they are living in caves without the contemporary technological facilities. In contrast, those who truly follow Buddhism live a pleasant and comfortable life. However, they try to not come under the influence of worldly attachments or repugnance, for example loss or profit, admiration or blameworthiness, notoriety or disgrace and contentment and depression (Chuang & Chen 65). The East Asians practice a middle way in their daily lives through controlling their emotions and avoiding behaviors that demonstrate aggression. This is because Buddhism teaches them to be patient and sympathetic (Chuang & Chen 74). They also try to portray a self-disciplined behavior believing that aggression will directly violate the principles of Buddhism.
Thus, both Confucianism and Buddhism have influenced the daily lives of East Asians in a number of positive ways. In the modern-day society, people in East Asia still regulate their daily lives following the various teachings and principles of the discussed faiths.
.Works Cited
Chuang, R. & Chen, G. M (2003). Buddhist Perspectives and Human Communication. Intercultural Communication Studies, 12 (4), 65-80.
Huang, G. H., and M. Gove. "Confucianism and Chinese Families: Values and Practices in Education." International Journal of Humanities and Social Science 02.03 (2012).IJHSSNET. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. <http://www.ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_2_No_3_February_2012/2.pdf>.
