Confucianism vs Buddhism vs Taoism - Realpolitik of the Three Teachings of Ancient China
Cool History Bros・11 minutes read
The three teachings of ancient China, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, were harmoniously synthesized and evolved over time, with influential figures like Confucius spreading moral traditions and schools like Chan Buddhism incorporating various ideas. Despite persecution and rivalry, these teachings peacefully coexisted and borrowed from each other, with Neo-Confucianists like Wang Yangming integrating Buddhist and Taoist concepts into their philosophy.
Insights
- Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism were harmoniously synthesized into the Chinese intellectual and spiritual landscape, with Confucianism focusing on ancient virtues, Taoism on principles like wu wei, and Buddhism evolving to incorporate both.
- The interaction between elites and commoners in ancient China led to the borrowing of Buddhist and Taoist concepts by Confucian elites, while commoners freely intermingled religious ideas, showcasing a complex but often peaceful coexistence of polytheistic religions.
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Recent questions
What are the three teachings of ancient China?
Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism
What is wu wei in Taoism?
Action through inaction
Who founded Buddhism?
Siddhartha Gautama
What is Neo-Confucianism?
Philosophy borrowing from Buddhism and Taoism
How did polytheistic religions coexist in ancient China?
Peacefully assimilating each other's concepts
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Summary
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Ancient China's Three Teachings: Harmony and Evolution
- Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism are the three teachings of ancient China, believed to have been harmoniously synthesized into the Chinese intellectual and spiritual landscape.
- During the Warring States period of China, various schools competed for influence, including Confucianism (Ruism), which extolled the virtues of ancient Chinese kings and dukes.
- Confucius, a transmitter of ancient moral traditions, edited and promoted these teachings to nobles and commoners, expanding the philosophy over time.
- Taoism, a complex school of thought, practiced principles like wu wei (action through inaction) and incorporated ideas like yin yang and the five phases.
- Buddhism, a tradition started by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), entered China during the Han dynasty and eventually incorporated Taoist and Confucian ideas, evolving into Chan (Zen) Buddhism in Japan.
- The interaction between elites and commoners in ancient China saw Confucian elites borrowing Buddhist and Taoist concepts, while commoners freely intermingled religious ideas.
- Throughout history, Buddhism and Taoism faced persecution and rivalry, with conflicts arising based on which side had favor with the ruling emperor.
- The synthesization of the three teachings was a natural evolution over time, with Neo-Confucianists like Wang Yangming borrowing from Buddhism and Taoism.
- Despite rivalry, polytheistic religions like Taoism and Buddhism often peacefully coexisted, borrowing and assimilating each other's gods and concepts to counter religious threats.
