Religions of the Far East are often clumped into a monolithic entity, perceived as essentially alike by those not familiar with the complexity and individuality of these traditions. Closer examination, however, shows that the major religions with roots in the Far East demonstrate a wide variety of beliefs. The tendency to group them under the heading of "Eastern religion" alone does not allow for the different histories, beliefs, and practices of these traditions. This tendency, however, has some validity in that Eastern belief systems do share many characteristics. In this essay, I will explain the basic precepts, including similarities of, differences in, and the relationship between three major Eastern traditions: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.
First, I will give a basic overview of the three belief systems, exploring their histories and general precepts . Then, I will explore the specific beliefs which these faiths share, as well as the beliefs which differentiate the faiths from one another. Finally, I will summarize these similarities and differences and give an analysis of the relationships that these belief systems have with one another.
The oldest tradition of the three, Buddhism, originated in India in the sixth century B.C. Its founder, Siddhartha Gautama, gave up his life as prince in search of truth; he attempted to find this enlightenment in several traditions, but eventually arrived at his own conclusion regarding the way to enlightenment. This conclusion was that desire and craving were what caused human suffering, and that by giving up these wants which tie us to the human condition, we may be released from these bonds with human mortality and achieve enlightenment. Siddhartha became known as the Buddha, or "enlightened one," and called his teachings the "middle way," saying that this midpoint between the extremes of asceticism and indulgence was the true way to achieve nirvana, the ultimate enlightenment and freedom from the bonds of desire (Hopfe 2001, p. 129).
Confucianism is based on the teachings of Confucius, who lived, by most accounts,...
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