Introduction
Buddhism and Confucianism constitute the essence of the traditional Chinese culture. The relationship among the two has been marked by both contentions in history, with Confucianism playing a more dominant role in China.
Buddhism ( 563 – 483 BC ) was created by Sakyamuni in India around the 6th century B.C. believing that human life is miserable and spiritual emancipation is the highest goal to seek. It was introduced into China through Central Asia around the time Christ was born. After a few centuries of assimilation, Buddhism evolved into many sects in the Sui and Tang Dynasties and became localized. That was also a process when the ingenuous culture of Confucianism was blended with Buddhism. Chinese Buddhism has played a very important role on traditional ideology and art.
Confucius (551 — 479 B.C.) was born into a well-to-do family, but a series of tragedies thrust him into poverty. He was a traveling philosopher, around whom disciples would form and imbibe of his insights and wisdom. He spent the rest of his life trying, through his writings and teachings, to convert the wicked to his philosophy of truth, justice, and the Chinese way. Confucius is not a religious leader. He taught an ethical teaching that valued deep respect for parents, including ancestor worship, loyalty to the state and its leaders. He also concluded that five virtues were what one need to lead a good life: compassion, decency, good manners, insight, and fidelity.
Schools of Buddhism
The Theravada __ the teaching of the Elders
In the Buddhist countries of southern Asia, there never arose any serious differences on the fundamentals of Buddhism. All these countries - Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand, have accepted the principles of the Theravada school and any differences there might be between the various schools is restricted to minor matters.
The earliest available teachings of the Buddha are to be found in Pali literature and belong to the school of the Theravadins. This school admits the human characteristics of the Buddha, and is characterised by a psychological understanding of human nature; and emphasises a meditative approach to the transformation of consciousness. The teaching of the Buddha according to this school is very plain. He asks us to 'abstain from all kinds of evil, to accumulate all that is good and to purify our mind'. These can be accomplished by The Three Trainings: the development of ethical conduct, meditation and insight-wisdom. When that perfected state of insight is reached, i.e. Nibanna, that person is a 'worthy person' an Arhat.
The Mahayana__ The great Vehicle
The Mahayana is more of an umbrella body for a great variety of schools, from the Tantra school (the secret teaching of Yoga) well represented in Tibet and Nepal to the Pure Land sect, whose essential teaching is that salvation can be attained only through absolute trust in the saving power of Amitabha, which are found in China, Korea and Japan. Ch'an and Zen Buddhism, of China and Japan, are meditation schools.
It is generally accepted, that what we know today as the Mahayana arose from the Mahasanghikas sect who were the earliest seceders, and the forerunners of the Mahayana. They rejected certain portions of the canon, which had been accepted in the First Council. Mahayana Lineages Imported from India
• Madhyamika (San Lun, Ch.) Based on the Chinese translation of Nagarjuna's (second century) Madhyamika Karika and two other works of uncertain authorship, this lineage emphasized the notion of shunyata (emptiness) and wu (nonbeing).
• Yogacara Founded in the third century by Maitreyanatha and made famous by Asanga and Vasubandhu in the fourth or fifth century, this school held that the source of all ideas is vijñana ("consciousness)
Indigenous Mahayana Lineages
• T'ien T'ai Named after the mountains on which the founder Zhi Yi (d. 597 C.E.) resided
• Avatamsaka (Hua Yen, Ch.) This lineage takes its name from the Avatamsaka Sutra.
• Pure Land (Amitabha) Based on the Sukhavati Vyuha ("Pure Land Sutra"), this lineage was founded in 402 C.E. by Hui Yuan
• Ch'an Its name was derived from the Sanskrit term dhyana (meditation), Ch'an is thought to have been brought to China by the enigmatic South Indian monk Bodhidharma in about the year 500 C.E. Bodhidharma: the father of Ch'an and Zen Buddhism
The Vajrayana__ The Thunderbolt Tradition
This is the kind of Buddhism predominant in the Himalayan nations of Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and also Mongolia. It is known as Vajrayana because of the ritual use of the vajra, a symbol of imperishable diamond, of thunder and lightning. At the center of Tibetan Buddhism is the religious figure called the lama, Tibetan for "guru"," source of another of its names, Lamaism.
The Two Schools of Confucianism
Two schools of Confucianism vied for predominance in Chinese history: the philosophy of Mencius and the teachings of Xunzi. Mencius, like his mentor, believed in the inherent decency of mankind, but his teachings addressed the possible dark side. Speaking of heredity and environmental factors, Mencius felt that people were born pure of heart, but could be corrupted by their own natures and the world around them.
The other main school of Confucianism, espoused by Xunzi, mirrors the Original Sin theory. He believed that people were inherently evil but could be redeemed through exposure to a moral upbringing and life in a just society.
Confucianism was eclipsed by Buddhism and Taoism, but never faded away as an influence on Chinese social and political life. Eventually, a new school of Confucianism, which was an amalgam of Buddhism and Taoism called Neo-Confucianism, developed.
Foundation
Buddhism is based on the Four Noble Truths.
· Dukha Sacca: The Truth of suffering.
· Samudaya Sacca: The Truth of the origin of Suffering
· Nirodha Sacca: The Truth of the cessation of Suffering
· Magga Sacca: The Truth of the path leading to the cessation of Suffering
Confucianism is based on Si Shu (Four Books)
· Lun Yu Analects of Confucius.
· Chung Yung or the Doctrine of the Mean.
· Ta Hsueh or the Great Learning.
· Writings of Meng Tzu, the philosopher.
What do they believe in?
Buddhism believes in the Five Fold Path.
· Ahimsa: No harm done in words, thoughts or deeds.
· Satya: No lies in thoughts, words or deeds.
· Asteya: Use only as much as is necessary.
· Karma: Action and Reaction.
· Trible Gems: Buddha , Dhamma and Sangha.
This also inludes five precepts abstinence killing sentient beings, giving up luxury for a simple life, abstinence from sexual pleasures, eating simple food and abstinence from alcohol and drugs. These are especially applicable to monks and nuns.
Confucianism has six basic beliefs.
· Yi (Righteousness)
· Xin (Honesty and Truthfulness)
· Li (Rituals and Etiquette)
· Jen (Benevolence and Empathy)
· Hsiao (Love for the family)
· Chung (Loyalty towards the State)
These are just some of the very basic differences between Buddhism and Confucianism. We have tried to make a comparison between the two although they cannot be compared after a certain point due to the basic difference that one is a religion and the other a philosophy.
With the spread of Buddhism into China, Buddhism successfully merged into Chinese culture and become an inseparable part of it. Chinese culture is featured by its encompassing nature of richness and Confucianism is a determinant. Both Buddhism and Confucianism share the basic concept that one is encouraged to abandon personal interest for the sake of others.
· Filial Piety: Filial piety plays a central role in Buddhism and Confucianism, which acknowledge the respect and devotion of a person for his/her parents and teachers. It is regarded as a primary merit to promote world peace.
· Education: In Buddhism and Confucianism, it refers to the realization of the meaning and the value of human life. Confucian teaches speech, virtue and skills for living and arts. Confucian and Buddhist virtue teaches morality and proper conduct.
· Peace: Buddhism advocates unconditional compassion that surpasses space and time for all living beings, stating that the universe is an entity. Confucianism is similar in that it teaches filial piety which is a foundation of the world peace.
Buddhist Practice and Confucian Practice
· Human beings are superior to animals by advocating human relationships and moral principles. Confucianism teaches sincere and proper thoughts, correct conduct and a well-organized society. Buddhist enlightenment is identical to this.
· The basic Confucian moral principles include loyalty, compassion, love, filial piety, trust-worthiness, peace, equality and responsibility. There are equally important in Buddhist belief.
· Buddhist karma teaches the cause and effect of one’s deeds. It is similar to Confucianism in that the latter suggests that one’s happiness is based on one’s good deeds.
Core Confucianism: The Five Relationships and Principles According to Mencius:
• Relationship Principle of Relationship
Son and father filial piety–paternal example
Minister and ruler obedience-righteousness
Wife and husband obedience-faithfulness- dominance
Young and old respect-precedence and example
Friend and friend mutuality and trust (hsin)
Protect close relationships
Finally, returning to the topic of the six directions, the Buddha described the Four Compass Direction as : parents (East), teachers (South), wife (West), and friends and colleagues (North), and the two vertical directions as: ascetics and Brahmins (Up) and the Servants (Down). He elaborated on how to respect and support them, and how in turn the Six will return the kindness and support.
The householder's commitments and the reciprocal acts of those he honors, as identified by the Buddha, are represented below in accordance with the four directions on the horizontal plane (east, south, west and north):
North FRIENDS | |||||
commitments | reciprocal acts | ||||
Generosity kind words helpfulness impartiality integrity | Supportiveness protect your wealth provide shelter loyalty honor your family | ||||
West WIFE | East PARENTS | ||||
commitments | reciprocal acts | commitments | reciprocal acts | ||
Honor her respect her fidelity share authority provide gifts | Organize duties hospitality fidelity wise budgeting skillfulness | Support them fulfill their duties honor traditions deserve inheritance honor their passing | Restrain from evil nurture goodness teach skills arrange marriage provide inheritance | ||
South TEACHERS | |||||
Commitments | reciprocal acts | ||||
Rise to greet them attend to them eager receptivity serve them master their teaching | Thoroughly instruct ensure comprehension provide well-roundedness provide referrals ensure safety | ||||
Nadir WORKERS |
| Zenith ASCETICS | |||
Commitments | reciprocal acts | Commitments | reciprocal acts | ||
Apt work just wages health care perks leave time | Rise early stay late no stealing work well allegiance | Loving acts loving speech loving thoughts hospitality material support | Restrain from evil nurture goodness lovingkindness enlighten clarify teach goodness | ||
Conclusion
Buddha was born earlier than Confucius (12) Years. The highest and supreme purpose of the teachings of the Buddha is to liberate the cycle of birth and death. The highest and supreme of purpose of the teachings of Confucius is to establish balance and harmony in society. Both Buddhism and Confuciunism teach the concepts of compassion, Karma, good manner, honest and so on. Buddhism depends on the four noble truths as the highest teachings. Confucianism depend on Si Shu(Four books) such as Lun Yu Aanlect of Confucius etc. Filial piety, the realization of the meaning of human life, peace and harmony were taught by Buddha and Confucius. Buddha gave various guidelines of society namely (10) techniques of ruling over the country (dasa raja Dhamma), Sigalovada sutta, In Mangala sutta, Buddha explains how to overcome enemies. It is very good to apply and practice it in society.In Kalama sutta, Buddha taught a good example to analysis the globalization of cultures which mixe good standpoints and bad standpoints. Buddhism takes part in mundane teachings and supra-mundane teachings.
The great problems of existence is the disharmony that occurs when the elements of society or the universe out of balance. To restore balance, two different religions emerged in China: Both Daoism and Confusianism sought to bring harmony and between heaven and earth, self and society.The Confuciucian sage urged humans to establish harmony in society through the practice of Li, the ritual observance of obligations attached to one’s station in society. They taught that people can be in harmony with the rhythms of the universe only when individuals know their place (as child, parent, citizen), cultivate their character, and sacrifice themselves for good of the good of the whole society. Confucianism emphasizes mundane (Lokiya) such as peace, harmony in society, heaven and so on.
Buddha said ‘‘it is a useless person (Tuccha Purisa) who just studies his teachings without practicing and applying his Dhammas’’. Indeed, wisdom is born of meditation; without meditation wisdom is lost. Knowing this twofold path of gain and loss of wisdom, one should conduct oneself so that wisdom may increase. Buddhism emphasizes wisdom that is able to realize Nibbana, the most peaceful and eternal bliss.
Bibliography
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