Buddhist and Chinese Attitude to Life
Table of Contents
Chinese traditional culture system includes Confucianism 儒教, Daoism 道教, Buddhism 佛教. All three systems of thoughts focus on the analysis of human life.
1. Similarities among Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism
1.1. Importance of Human Life, No Supernatural Power
1.2. Importance of Morality
1.3. Importance of Self-Cultivation
1.4. Practical Attitude to Life
1.5. Open Attitude of Mind
Confucianism. 君子和而不同.
2. Differences among Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism
2.1. Man’s Position in Society
Confucianism. Social interest in higher than individual interest.
Buddhism. All sentient beings are equal.
2.2. Attitude to Life
Confucianism.
Daoism. conservative and escape.
Buddhism.
2.3. Attitude towards Human’s Physical Body
Both Confucianism and Buddhism agrees that life and body are naturally formed and should not be damaged meaninglessly. But the meaning of “body” differs in Confucianism and Buddhism.
Confucianism. Body comes from parents, thus Confucianism emphasizes protect life, yet morality is higher than life.
Buddhism.
2.4. The Analysis of the Nature of Human (人性論)
Confucianism. 人性本善.
Buddhism.