Understanding Taoism and Confucianism - Research Paper Example

Understanding Taoism and Confucianism Introduction Chinese traditional religions have the fifth most number of adherents in the whole world Among these Chinese religions, the most popular are Taoism and Confucianism not only because their teachings permeate Chinese religions, but also because they have become deeply embedded in Chinese life. To get a better understanding of the Chinese culture, this essay will study Taoism and Confucianism, their mysterious origins, their differences and similarities, and the Chinese practices influenced by the teachings of those religions. Origins The founding of Confucianism is most often attributed to Kung Fu-Tzu, a Chinese philosopher who lived between 5th and 4th Century BC.2 However, some experts contend that Confucianism is not founded by Kung Fu-Tzu, or Confucius, and actually traces its origins at least one thousand years prior to the birth of its said founder.3 This lack of specific founder is shared by Taoism, which appears to be a product of ancient philosophy instead of being the agglomeration of one man’s teachings. While it is widely held that Lao Tzu (or Laozi) is the founder of Taoism, some experts contend that this Lao Tzu is no more than part of a Chinese myth4 while others say that he is a historical figure, only that he did not found Taoism.5 The True Founders of Taoism and Confucianism Lin argues that Lao Tzu could not have been its founder since the teachings of Taoism dates back 2,300 years before the birth of Lao.6 Since the basic teachings of Taoism have already been existent 2,300 years before the time of Lao Tzu, he could not possibly be its founder. Lindemans claims that the real founder of Taoism is Huang-di, a Chinese emperor who lived around 2,600 to 2,500 B.C.7 However, Lin asserts Taoist teachings were already around even before Huang-di was born. Although there are very few documents to support his claim, Lin points to Fu Hsi as the true founder of Taoism for a number of reasons. First, I Ching, one of the texts closely associated with Taoism, is attributed to Fu Hsi and not to Huang-di or Lao Tzu. He supports his claim by the strong possibility that the teachings of Taoism originated at the same period of Fu Hsi’s reign as emperor.8 Whether it is indeed Lao Tzu, Huang-di, or Fu Hsi who is the true founder of Taoism, the matter is yet to be settled. What many experts agree is that Taoism has been around at least 800 years before Christ, the year when I Ching first surfaced.9 Just as the misconception about the origin of Taoism is prevalent, so is the misconception about the roots of Confucianism. Basing on its name, it can readily be assumed that Confucius is its founder. However, Rainey contends that the word “Confucianism” was coined out of a mistake made by Christian scholars who went to China 500 years ago: “First they Latinized ‘Kongfuzi’ to ‘Confucius.’ Then they assumed that Confucius was the founder of the tradition.”10 These Christian scholars made the mistake of assuming that Confucius is the founder of a very influential Chinese religion because his name was most often associated with it. However, Confucianism is not founded by a single person. Instead, it is a Chinese tradition that dates back to the sage-kings, who ruled two to four thousand years before the birth of Confucius. The Role of Lao Tzu and Confucius Although Lao Tzu and Confucius are not the founders of Taoism and Confucianism, as it is widely held, they are nonetheless very important figures in each religion. This contributed to the misconception that they are the respective founders of both. Lao Tzu became widely held as the founder of Taoism because the authorship of Tao Te Ching, a religious text central to the teachings of the religion, is attributed to him.11 There are no documents to prove Lao Tzu’s authorship of Tao Te Ching but there is one prevailing legend about its origin. Around 6th Century B.C. in Luoyang, Lao Tzu was appointed to keep the archives of the Zhou empire. After many years of working for the empire, he noticed that the men there choose not to seek the right way. He became disillusioned and decided to leave for good. Upon approaching Han Gu Pass, the guard recognized him as the man known for his wisdom. The guard then requested Lao Tzu to write his teachings. Lao, who was then an old man, came up with 81 sayings. These came to be known as Tao Te Ching.12 Confucius may not be the founder of the Confucian tradition but he is regarded as its greatest sage.13 Eventually, he was deemed as its founder because he contributed greatly to its popularity. Confucius travelled China extensively for 13 years in search of a ruler who will adhere to its teachings. This quest consequently led to the popularity of the Confucian teachings.14 Like Lao Tzu, he did not found any religion or philosophy but the credit goes to him because Confucianism spread widely through him. Confucius also became more popular because of his disciples Menchu and Hsun Tzu, who record his teachings and spread them by the time of his death in 479 BC.15 Doctrines of Taoism and Confucianism Teachings of the Tao “Tao” can literally be translated as “way” or “path.”16 Tao is seen by its followers as the path towards harmony with nature, other people, and social institutions. This harmony can be achieved through “wu wei” or “non-doing.” Since every person is naturally connected to everyone and everything, the only thing needed to be done in order to achieve harmony is to find and be conscious of this connection. Followers of Taoism attempt to understand nature instead of manipulating it. Lao Tzu taught his disciples to listen to their inner selves and the environment around them.17 However, Lao Tzu warns that society is tumultuous and cannot bring anyone inner peace if a person is attached closely it. He advised followers that harmony and enlightenment can only be achieved if a person dissociates himself/herself from the society. A person who pursues this path towards harmony will be rewarded with immortality. A person is in the right “Tao” when he does good unconditionally and limitlessly while keeping it as a secret as much as possible.18 Another significant teaching of Taoism springs from the basic Chinese principle of yin and yang. This is the principle of reciprocity which explains that cold exists because there is heat and vice versa. Harmony is only achieved when there is a balance between two opposing forces. Taoism applies this principle to human nature. It teaches that people can only achieve peace and equilibrium if they are able to balance between their emotion and intellect, without eliminating one for the other or giving greater weight to one aspect of their being. Consequently, Tao does not only emphasize the importance of spiritual well-being. It also encourages “meditation, mental discipline, exercise, and proper lifestyle habits” to achieve physical well-being.19 Confucian Teachings Like Taoism, Confucianism stresses the importance of moral integrity and good conduct. Confucius emphasized to his disciples the value of wisdom, loving others, and doing good. He constantly encouraged his disciples to treat others well and to bear good manners at all times. Confucius, however, did not encourage detachment from society. Instead, he taught his disciples to be active in society and not to fail in fulfilling their duties in order to achieve social stability.20 Confucius’ interest in social order is marked by his identification of the five key relationships in a society, namely: father to son, ruler to subject, brother to brother, husband to wife, and friend to friend.21 Confucius outlined these relationships in order to let the members of society be aware of their roles. These relationships basically involve the relationship between master and subordinate, with each father or son, or rule or subject, taught of his responsibility to his partner. This can be summed up as follows: the masters are responsible for looking after the subordinates while the subordinates are expected to be obedient to their masters at all times. Aside from meeting their respective responsibilities, Confucius taught that members of a society will not be able to achieve social order unless they have a good government. He taught that a good ruler would not suffice in making a good government. For Confucius, a wise gentleman should always be at the side of a ruler to counsel him.22 Differences Between Taoism and Confucianism Confucius believes that it is the duty of man to keep society in order by living a morally straight life. However, Taoists are rather suspicious of man’s ability to change society.23 They insist that no man can change society and anyone who continues to deal with it is not yet enlightened. To avoid the corruption that society brings, Taoists strongly encourage reclusion to nature. While Confucianism seeks to reform the government by developing men and women of good virtue, Taoism rather scorns the government and teaches its followers to stay away from it instead. Taoists and Confucians likewise differ in their view of knowledge. For Confucians, knowledge (or wisdom) is not attained by meditation but through conscious efforts to learn.24 On the other hand, Taoists believe that the understanding of the eternal cannot be achieved through study. They place huge emphasis on meditation as the way to understand the world and the eternal concepts that govern it. The greatest difference between Taoism and Confucianism is in their belief of a supreme being. While Confucianism teaches the supreme virtues of “Benevolence, Duty, Manners, Wisdom, and Faithfulness,”25 it does not teaching anything about a supreme deity or being. For this reason, Confucianism becomes more a code of conduct26 rather than a set of beliefs, which are characteristics of a religion. On the other hand, Taoism teaches the existence of a force that is the source of all that has come to be. They call this the “Tao,” which they seek to find through mediation.27 Taoism teaches of other deities as well. These deities have two kinds: the natural gods and the gods who were once humans.28 These natural gods are the highest form of gods in Taoism. They have been existent even before the earth began. Meanwhile, the second types of gods are those who have been rewarded for following the right path (or “Tao”). As mentioned earlier, Taoism teaches that those who stay in the right path eventually cleanse themselves of the impurities of human life and become gods in the afterlife. Alchemy can also cause a human being to transform into a god.29 Practices and Rituals Like most religions, Taoism and Confucianism also have their own sets of practices. For Confucians, these practices start immediately at birth. After childbirth a mother is given a month’s rest and a special diet to feed her during that period. For the first year of a child’s life, the family of the mother’s side will provide all that he/she needs.30 Confucians do not celebrate their birthdays and the next important event in a person’s life comes only in marriage. Death in a Confucian family is made known to neighbors by the loud cry of relatives. The family then wears mourning clothes while the mourners who come to sympathize bring their own incense and money to help the family of the deceased with the costs.31 Since Confucianism does not teach of deities, it naturally does not have any ritual that honors them. On the other hand, Taoism places special reverence on their deities which is why Taoists dedicate ceremonies in their honor. These ceremonies are usually headed by a priest, with the intention of asking for universal order.32 As for their birth ritual, a Taoist child’s fate is immediately foretold through a horoscope. Then, the naming will come a month after. At death, Taoists bury a dead person along with “paper models of money, houses and cars.”33 Incense, as in most Chinese religions, is important in the prayers of Taoist. They believe that incense attracts gods, which allows the beneficent spirits to hear their prayers more closely. Conclusion Confucianism is concerned with social affairs while Taoism focuses on spirituality. Because of its lack of deity, Confucianism can be considered more of a philosophy than a religion. Taoism and Confucianism seem to lie on two opposite ends: reclusion for one and too much social involvement for the other. Although the Taoist and Confucian beliefs may repel each other, they can still be integrated into one belief system by finding the balance between too much social involvement and non-doing. Bibliography Barrett, H. (n.d.). History of the I Ching. Clarity I Ching. Retrieved from http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/learn/history/history.php. Confucianism: A Brief Introduction (2006 January 25). 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