The Rules and Regulations Governing the Way of Life of Such People - Case Study Example

Religion and Culture Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism have been thought as philosophical constructs more than religionsdue to their emphasis on humanity as opposed to most religion’s emphasis on serving a deity. These religions are based on how human beings can establish harmony between themselves and with other things in the environment whether living or non living. The emphasis of these religions might have derived their concepts from the way of life of the people during the time when there was social instability and chaos, therefore, emphasis was in establishing peaceful coexistence amongst the opposing forces. Therefore, although Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism are considered as religions, they are more of a system of justification, which affects a culture deeply. In today’s Chinese society, Confucianism has taken root in nearly all human engagements where it is practiced as part of the cultural aspect in government, education in addition to guiding both public and private attitudes and manners. Confucianism does not insist on serving a deity but establishing harmony within the society. This therefore, makes Confucianism more of a philosophical ideology, a guide to good governance and overall social morality, than a religion. In guiding morality and ethical behavior in society, Confucianism emphasizes on the concept of relationships where each individual in the society has both responsibility and obligation towards others (Yao 34). Consequently the existing relationships between a husband and wife, parent and child and between siblings are all based on responsibilities and obligations. Confucianism advocates for the transference of these responsibilities and obligations from family level to mediate relations between individuals and state, bureaucrat and civilian and subject and ruler. In advocating for the different levels of responsibilities and obligations, Confucianism sees these standards of associations creating a just and harmonious society.   From the interconnectedness in society, Confucianism encourages a culture where the society consists not of individuals but of their relationships to one another and the follow-on interdependencies. The consequence of emphasis on interconnectedness is establishment of cooperation among members of society which is important an important survival concept since it establishes reciprocity where people support one another in times of trouble. Therefore, in different social relations, Confucianism stresses on the establishment of a sense of trust and harmony are more important in ensuring lasting friendships. Confucianism as a guiding principle in the Asian culture is based on the five constant virtues of faithfulness, humanity, propriety, righteousness and wisdom. To instill these virtues in society Chinese children were taught Lun Yu and trying to reach harmony. Therefore, Confucianism cannot be restricted to the religious domain of the society but to the whole cultural fabric of the people practicing it. Confucianism is part of Chinese culture; it provides a set of values for people to assimilate and learn (Yao 214). Taoism or Daoism is based on several principles that are essential in its teachings and belief system that enlighten the society on the human-spiritual existence. According to Taoism, Tao is power that surrounds and flows through all living and non-living things in the universe for the regulation of all natural processes in addition to promoting balance in the Universe. Taoism believes in oppositions where it is believed there cannot be no light without darkness, love without hate nor male without female (Chun 160). As a force that flows through nature, its flow establishes universal health, peace, harmony and happiness. However, this harmony and peace can only prosper when all the living and non living components of the universe combine without friction while working against the natural flow will lead to chaos. Consequently, the heart of Taoism is the noninterference principle which calls for people in society to follow the social trends as opposed to going against or fighting the natural changes and processes (Oldstone-Moore 53). Daoism concept of correspondence between human and the universe are part of the Chinese society where people believe that changes of the celestial influence social and personal trends and reversibly social and personal behavior can cause fluctuations in the universe. Daoism has also played a part in the medical field with the emphasis of treating before illness and consolidation f life foundation important contribution in the prevention of disease before cure (191). Buddhism is a religion that has its origin in India and was by Siddhartha Gaumata who was once a prince who was raised in a perfect surrounding but when he went outside the palace, he discovered the suffering and poverty that the commoners were going through. The prince therefore left his family to go and practice yoga as a way of meditation that would lead to peace and enlightenment. After achievement of enlightenment, Buddha as the prince was now called developed the Four Noble Truths to guide his teachings. The Four Noble Truths include first, life is suffering; secondly, ignorance is what causes suffering; thirdly, it is only through ending ignorance one will be liberated from suffering; lastly, the way to the Noble Eightfold Path is the way to destroy suffering (Ullman, and Reichenberg-Ullman 2) Buddha went ahead to give The Eightfold Path as having truth, the will to defy evil, avoid utterance aimed at hurting others, respect for life, making a profession out of what does not hurt others, aim at riding evil off the mind, establish control over feelings, and lastly proper concentration in life. Given that life was a continuing cycle of death and rebirth according to the teachings of Buddha, the previous life of people determined their well being. Those who rid themselves of worldly martial possessions he would achieve nirvana, a place of peace and happiness. Zen is a school of Buddhism founded in China in as part of Mahayana Buddhism which was later transferred to Japan were it gradually developed into a different indigenous tradition. Zen is based on the beliefs that one does not have to read sacred books to achieve greatness in life but practice meditation which will enable the person to break through the boundaries of conventional thought. Zen as a religion and philosophical approach emphasizes the fact that all humans have the capabilities to achieve enlightenment since everyone has an inherent nature of Buddha but ignorance is what prevents such capabilities from becoming a reality. Meditation is the only path that will lead to the breaking away from the ignorance and therefore achieve enlightenment (Fowler 95). The meditation is one of the most practiced concepts of Buddhism where professionals especially psychologists have done a lot of research in the area. Psychologists have researched on Meditation as a way of transforming the mind of patients through practices and techniques that promote and increase emotional positivity, concentration, clarity of thought and calmness in perception of the true nature the environment around an individual. Such methods have been found to be effective especially when treating psychological complications like stress and depression (Gergen, Koshikawa, and Kwee 137) In modern society, many people would rather pick a section of beliefs from these religions than follow all of their doctrines. For instance, the Buddhist teaching on materialism will not be compatible with the modern culture of accumulation. Buddhism advocates for followers to five less emphasis on material possessions but instead seek spiritual contentment. In a study by Uthai Eksaphang and Onkom where the research concentrated on the consumption habits of the Thai Buddhists, the researchers found many consumers in Thai society, most of them Buddhists had set life goals on fulfilling desires, and gaining social honor therefore transforming their lifestyles into competition (2). The Indian subcontinent was the birth place of Buddhism which spread to other Asian countries but the best religion defining Indian culture is Hinduism. Hindu as a religion borrowed greatly from the custom of the people including the name which is derived from River Indus. Therefore, Hinduism is more of a codification of existing traditions and customs of the people’s culture than a religion. Hinduism has grown over the years due to the assimilation of the way of life of society where it has incorporated concepts like vegetarianism and the nature of the gods from the other religions like Buddhism and Zoroastrianism. Hinduism is the best example of religious borrowing from the customs and belief systems of the people given that the religion has incorporated religious concepts from Judaism Christianity and Islam (Clarke 80). Research shows people view these religions as ethical systems that affect societal custom and culture. The religions are not based on how people should worship a super natural being but on how humanity can live in health, peace, harmony and happiness with others. However, for all the above to be achievable humanity must establish a balance amongst themselves, nature, and the immortal world. These religious practices adduce to the fact that religion can become deeply embedded into the cultural welfare and become a basis for the rules and regulations governing the way of life of such a people. Work Cited Clarke, Matthew, ed. Handbook of Research on Development and Religion. Massachusetts: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2013. Fowler, Merv. Zen Buddhism: beliefs and practices. Eastbourne: Sussex Academic Press, 2005. Print. Gergen, Kenneth J., Fusako Koshikawa, and Maurits GT Kwee. "Horizons in Buddhist Psychology: Practice, Research and Theory." New Mexico: Taos Institute Publications, 2006. Print. Oldstone-Moore, Jennifer. Confucianism: Origins, beliefs, practices, holy texts, sacred places. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print. Ullman, Robert, and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman. Mystics, masters, saints, and sages: Stories of enlightenment. Massachusetts: Conari Press, 2001. Print. Uthai, Eksaphang, Phrakhruphaowanasamathikhun and Suchitra Onkom. "The Appropriate Consumption Culture Of Buddhists In Current Thai Society According To Buddhadasa Bhikkhu’s Wishes." International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER) 10.9 (2011): 1-8. Print. Yao, Xinzhong. An introduction to Confucianism. CambridgeCambridge University Press, 2000. Print. Fowler, Merv. Zen Buddhism: beliefs and practices. Eastbourne: Sussex Academic Press, 2005. Read More