Compare And Contrast Buddhism And Daoism

There are many traditions that have a definition on what the true nature or ultimate reality of the world is. However, there seems to be a steady definition that it is the eternal and unchanging world which does not contain a duality and complexity of the objective reality. It is to transcend from the conventional world and to be part or one with the universe. For Buddhism and Daoism, it is to be able to see the world for what it is and to not be motivated about attaining an end goal. Though the traditions, differ on how the subjects act in the conventional world before reaching the conclusion. Buddhism has a world of suffering lead by jealousy, greed, e.t.c., while Daoism sees life to be generally good, but desires may halt the procession

The principle in life is that life is suffering in Buddhism, while life is good in Daoism. For Buddhism it is the cycle of suffering that brings it into the cycle of reincarnation. The emotions of greed and jealousy is what plays into the cycle because it slows the process of enlightenment. To escape the suffering and the cycle of birth and death is when the end goal of Nirvana¬ can be obtained. Yet the end goal in Daoism is to live a peaceful and content life and to be with the Dao. Even though there are desires which tempt the subject away from the Dao, if this attachment can be let go, then there would be harmony with nature. To gain balance in life, be one with nature and to go with its flow instead of counteracting it, is when the end goal will be

The two traditions are similar in believing the way to reach the end goal is to lose existence in the conventional world and see the world for what it is. To go with the flow of nature and lose the duality in the world is when either attaining Nirvana or to be with the Dao can be achieved. Without this lost existence the subject stays in the objective reality with negative emotions and desires surrounding them slows them from following the correct path. Although they are alike with being with the true nature, the traditions differ on what the end goal is and how the life is prior to achievement. Buddhism consists of the inescapable cycle of birth, death and reincarnation where the only way is to prepare for the next life. While Daoism focuses on the now to get others to be able to follow the