Confucianism Case

For this paper, Team B chose to discuss Confucianism. Confucianism was founded in c. 500 B.C.E., in China by Confucius. There are more than five million followers. Confucianism is sometimes viewed as philosophical and not as a religion. It is a way of life that has been followed by the Chinese many years. If the Chinese are following one of the other religions, they never cease practicing Confucianism. The discussion will cover the common characteristics Confucianism shares with the other religions, will analyze the interactions between the modern world and Confucianism, and will provide examples of how the interactions influence the modern world as well as Confucianism.

Buddhism was connected with Daoism and Confucianism as one of the officially sanctioned “Three Doctrines” and it became a major part of the Chinese culture. Confucianism replaced Buddhism as the state religion during the yi dynasty (1392-1910). The aristocracy identified with Confucianism, the common people stayed Buddhist. The absolute goal of Buddhism is nirvana, to end bad. Confucian followers believe that one is taught to be the perfect human. Each human is perfectly capable of achieving perfection. Confucians believe that a human is a full person only after contributions to other higher people. Family is the foundation of society for Confucians. Buddhist believes in the same type of ways to extent. In Buddhism and Hinduism, the changing of everyday life is believed to cause decay and pain, which is called Samsara. Confucianism and Hinduism are similar in their different stages and members of society are divided into different social classes. Buddhist, Hindus, and Confucians all believe in a God that they worship and in ever changing experiences of life. In all three religions, people see each other quite strongly depending of their relationships and social roles.

Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism beliefs are different in many aspects but one common characteristic is focusing on living a selfless life and not focusing on the afterlife or reincarnation. Confucianism believes a man who lives a good life on earth will be rewarded later in death. Taoism focus is a man should enjoy living life. Living a simply logical life will mean harmony with the universe in the afterlife. Shintoism focuses on the birth because this is a positive experience and visible for the world. Shinto’s believe that one will achieve salvation by avoiding anything negative, impure, or polluted. It is important in Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism that one is responsible for the individual soul and living a simple yet logical life. The three belief systems do believe there is life after death, but it comes in different forms for each. If one lived a moral, ethical, honest, and simple life there are no worries. If one does not live a moral life, the afterlife may be an unpleasant journey.

Confucianism is a religion based on morality, as a teacher