Daoism and Confucianism
Daoism (or Taoism) is both a religion and a philosophical indigenous tradition of Chinese origin which urges people to live in harmony with nature. It is an attitude towards life that is carefree, accepting and joyful. This religion has shaped Chinese culture for so long and has also found its way into Asian cultures. Daoism has a core of self-reflection and devotes energy to introspection. Daoists are prominent critics of Confucian activism. Confucianism is an ethical, philosophical system as well as a religion that developed from the teachings of Confucius. It is built on the core of morality, ethics, and activism. It encourages people to live in social harmony and mutual respect for each other. Confucius believed that the better human relations would find political order. The two religions are similar in some ways, but they have striking differences in their ethics, view of divinity, worship practices, and festivals. This will paper will in essence compare and contrast the two philosophies.
These two religions have striking differences. One of them of, Confucianism aims at having a structured society; it is all about the brotherhood of humanity while Daoism`s main goal is to become one with nature, and it is believed that life is good. They discouraged presence of any structured governments or empires and preferred small self-sufficient communities. Confucianists believe in one God though ancestors are also worshiped while most Daoists believe in many deities. Daoists believe that after the soul survives and lives on. This is contrary to the belief depicted in Confucianism that one becomes an ancestor and is worshiped by his descendants and their families. The religion of Confucianism is based on the virtue respect while that of Daoism is based on contemplation.
Festivals and other worship practices in the two religions also differ. Daoism has various Holy days such as; Chinese New year, Three Day Festival and Lantern Festival. Of these, Chinese New Year is common to Confucianism, which also has Teacher Day and Ancestor Day. In respect to human nature, Confucianism stipulates that beings should have respect for those who are superior to them while Daoism states that humans should just follow the way. The status of women in Daoism is that they are generally equal to men while women are social to men in Confucianism context. Confucianists have temples as their places of worship while Daoists have temples as well as shrines to worship in.
We, however, cannot ignore the similarities between these two great indigenous philosophies. It is clear that both are ways of living as well as ways of thinking of a people that focuses on an individual and behavior. They were both created as a solution to the chaos that erupted after the decline of the Zhao Dynasty in China. Bothfocustheimprovementself Daoism in of `s with Confucianism in of `s with others. They were also founded at the same though by different people: at approximately 550 B.C.E.
In conclusion, therefore, it is correct to say that the two types of religions have similarities in many ways such as their stressing on personal improvement, as well as individual behavior. They are also different in terms of their ultimate goals, view of divinity, worship practices, ethics as well as festival. They exist as Yin and Yang: alone they are different and stand for varying ideas but to create a whole person who is complete, one should incorporate elements from each.
Jainism and Sikhism
Jainism is ancient in the world dated back to the sixth century and is found in India. The religion plots a path of non-violence (Ahimsa) towards all living beings while emphasizing spiritual interdependence and equality. It stresses that the way to obtaining liberation is to live a pure life and harmlessness: the aim of Jain life is to achieve liberation of the soul. Sikhism is among the youngest types of religion of the world founded by Guru Nanak in the sixteenth century. Its origin is in Punjab. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion which stresses on the essence of doing good rather than just taking part in rituals.
The difference between the two is their ultimate goals. Jainism`s main goal being to gain liberation and be released from the cycle of rebirths as well as employ a policy non-violence towards all living beings. Sikhism`s ultimate goal to have the greatest possible relationship with God, to love Him and obey Him unconditionally. Guru Nanak stipulates that one should not be afraid of God`s wrath that should rather fear not receiving all of God`s encompassing love. Jains do not believe in one supreme God and neither do they have multiple deities but, however, believe that salvation is gained through one`s personal struggles. Sikhs, on the other hand, believe that salvation is earned through serving God and one eventually becomes one with Him. In Jainism, there is no belief in a Supreme Being guiding people through, but view the universe as a never-ending cycle. Sikhism, however believes in one creator and God (Allah). In relation to the concept of deities, Jains have the Tirthenkaras who are not worshiped, but are seen as ideal men and teachers whose lessons are worth following. In Sikhism, there is the belief in one God and teachings of Sikh Gurus.
Places of worship and modes of worship also vary greatly in the two religions. Jains worship in the temple while the Sikhs use the Gurdwara for congregational worship where there are no rules of who can enter the Gurdwara based on either faith, caste or skin color. Personal worship can be done at any time in any place since God resides in everything and anyone at all times. Use of statues and pictures is common in Jainism while it is not allowed in Sikhism as it is considered as Idolatry. Names of God in Sikhism are Waheguru, Ik Onkaar, Sat Nam, Akhal Purakh, while in Jainism 24 Tirthankars beside some celestial beings are worshiped as Demigods. Rates in Jainism are generally common. In Sikhism, there is mainly Amrit Sanchar that is being initiated into the Khaisa and is equivalent to baptism. The major worship practices of Sikhs are daily prayers and the three pillars of Sikhism: *To remember and be thankful to God at all times. *To live life honestly and with integrity. *To divide what you have with the poor. Sikhs worship the one God every day at their homes even without a Gurdwara service while there is no particular time for worship in Jainism though morning is the preferred time for any sites. For Holy days, Jainism has Paryushan festival but in Sikhism no day is holier than the other.
The two are similar in some ways; both are vegetarian though the Sikhs are not strict vegans. These two religions trace their origin in South Asia. Both practice and revere Ahisma, a policy of non-violence towards all beings with Jains putting more emphasis on this lifestyle than Sikhs. They both practice DiwaliDiwali though they celebrate the day for different reasons. Sikhs and Jains are both tolerant of all faiths and believe that there are many paths to seek out God`s love and incur Divine Grace. Both also believe in the conquest of the mind through the control of passions as the path that ends the cycle of suffering due to birth and death.
References.
Conze, Edward, trans. Buddhist Wisdom: The Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra. New York: Vintage, 2001.
Noss David. A History of the World`s Religions, 13th Edition. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson, 2011.
Valmiki, Rama the Steadfast: An Early Form of the Ramayana. Translated by John and Mary Brockington. New York: Penguin Classics, 2006.
Wtson, Burton, trans. The Analects of Confucius. New York: Columbia University Press, 2007.
