Commonalities and Differences of Confucianism,

Taoism and Buddhism

Based from the discussion of the reporter on the background of

Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism that coexist in ancient Chinese society, they
influenced and absorbed from each other while struggling with each other. During
this long struggles and conflicts, Confucianism and Taoism improved and
completed their own religious system through accepting the challenge from
Buddhism; Buddhism gradually made its “Chinese Buddhism” transformation
under the pressure of Confucianism and Taoism, meanwhile influenced by
Chinese economic and politics. Through long run-in period from Han to Tang
dynasty, three religions helped remit the social contradictions and maintain social
order according to their different social functions, which help them built the stable
social base to coexist.
Confucianism focused on the human relations in society; Taoism focused
on man’s relations with rest of nature; and Buddhism offered new outlook on life
and the world, all of them constructed the Chinese spiritual world. In the world
history, Chinese traditional culture not only has the strong idea of identity but also
be happy to absorb exotic good cultures. This character made Confucianism,
Buddhism and Taoism developed very fast and coexisted very well in China, and
finally formed the model that Buddhism offered a peaceful mind; Taoism practiced
health regimen and Confucianism responded to social responsibilities.
Confucian philosophers have long taught that we all have the seeds of
goodness within us and need only encourage them to grow. They also teach that
the real worth of a human being is his or her moral character, something that can
be developed by anyone through dedication and hard work. The Taoists believe
that cosmic energy and rhythm are present in all of us as the basis of our life, even
if we have forgotten it. All we need to do is return to this Tao (Way) within us to
find a new sense of peace and harmony with all things. Buddhists proclaim that
everyone has the basic ability to understand life in a completely objective and
unselfish way. This understanding was first consciously discovered by the Buddha,
which means that we all have the capacity to become Buddhas ourselves. Thus
the three major streams of Chinese religion agree that all of us have the potential
to become better persons, psychologically secure, understanding, and
compassionate.

HOW IS MOUNTAINS STRONGLY INFLUENCE IN THE KOREAN LIFE?

Traditionally, Korean mountains were revered as objects of sacred and

religious significance. It’s not hard to see why, with a uniquely puckered
topography, mountains are a prime component of the Korean landscape and
national identity. While Korea may have moved into the modern age, outdoor
activities like hiking and rock climbing are still wildly popular.

South Korea may be among the most wired and densely populated
countries in the world, but its first religion many centuries ago, before the arrival
of Christianity, Confucianism and Buddhism was based on the worship of
mountain spirits. The Korean version of feng shui, known as pungsu-jiri, holds
that the nation’s energy flows south along the Baekdu-Daegan ridge and
outward along its branches. By the time of our trip, I had developed a theory
that the mountains are to Koreans as the Wild West is to Americans: even if a
New Yorker, say, has never set foot on a ranch, he likes to think he’s got a little
bit of cowboy in his soul. It’s part of the collective unconscious.
 Since the ’80s, as both freedom and wealth have spread in South Korea,
so has the popularity of mountaineering. As it has, the South Korean portion of
the Baekdu-Daegan has become hikable along nearly all of its 457-mile ridge,
with trails built and maintained by the Korea Forest Service, part of the Ministry
of Agriculture and Forestry. Weekend warriors tackle it in chunks, and a hardy
few attempt the entire length as an epic two-month trek.

Manichean doctrine is far more dualistic than Zoroastrianism. Manicheans

believe that the physical world and physical matter is evil, a work of the evil spirit.
They even believe that the physical human body was created by demons to entrap
the spirit. The world will have to be destroyed after the light has been separated
from the darkness.

Zoroastrians believe that the world is good but has been corrupted by evil.
We can fix the world through good thoughts, words, and deeds. We can defeat the
corruption of the evil spirit and create a heaven on earth. The world will be made
perfect after evil is destroyed.

Lastly, Manichaeism is an ascetic religion; it turns its back on the 'pleasures

of the flesh'. While Zoroastrianism is a religion that enjoins it's followers to enjoy
the blessings of life - in moderation.