Daoism And Confucianism Similarities

China is one of the most ancient continuous civilizations in the world, and its religious roots extend beyond those of philosophers such as Confucius and Laozi. Ancient Chinese philosopher and writer Laozi once asserted that “Man is ruled by Earth. Earth is ruled by Heaven. Heaven is ruled by the Way. The Way is ruled by itself.” Dao means the Way or path, and master Laozi indicated that man, Earth, and Heaven – essentially, everything – are ultimately ruled by the natural way. Daoism is one of the fundamental teachings in Chinese philosophical schools which, unlike Confucianism, does not focus specifically on strict order and rituals such as filial piety. Confucianism, in particular, deals with familial and societal duties. Daoism and Confucianism complement each other in many ways and are considered the most significant and influential Chinese philosophies and religions alongside Buddhism. Daoism, unlike Confucianism, “holds out a vision of other transcendental worlds of the spirit” (SCT p. 77), meaning that it does not solely focus on respectability, and familial and societal duties. Two forms of Daoism exist: religious (daojiao), and philosophical (daojia). Religious Daoists sought

The Analects focuses on the viability of interpersonal relationships and personal cultivation on government rulers and officials. Confucius describes the conduct of a junzi, a “gentleman” or “noble man” whose nobility derives from personal commitment and developed moral power rather than inherited social nobility (SCT p. 42). The Chinese term de originally represented power or force and later took on the meaning of virtue. The references to words that changed meanings indicates the inconsistency of conversations in the Analects, making it represent varying points of view of later Confucianism followers rather than simply Confucius’