 |
China the Beautiful
A forum for readers of chinapage.com
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Paul
Guest
|
 Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2002 9:48 am Post subject: can a buddaist belive in taoism? |
 |
|
| can a buddaist belive in taoism |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Paul
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2002 12:08 pm Post subject: do taoist prey at all or to any kind of God |
|
|
| do taoist pray at all or to any kind of God? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ming
Joined: 04 Jun 2002
Posts: 1
Location: U.S.
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2002 12:13 pm Post subject: Buddahism and Daoism |
|
|
Paul:
Neither buddahism nor Daoism insist that,"all other gods are false gods." Besides the religious professionals (i.e. pope, bishop,
priests,ministers)
many Chinese freely worship more than one religion without restriction.
Ming |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SL Lee
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2002 12:17 pm Post subject: Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism |
|
|
Paul,
In China, religions are more an ethical code than a believe in god or gods. You would find most people do not exclusively believe in just Daoism, Buddhism or Confucianism. In fact, Confucianism is not a religion, but a philosophy. We interchangeably call Daoism Dao Jia (Dao school of thoughts) or Dao Jiao (Dao religion), Fuo Jia and Fuo Jiao for Buddhism. But we don't usually call Confucianism Ru Jiao, only Ru Jia. That might be something to keep in mind. Some people do keep a statue of Confucius out of respect, like we have statues of George Washington or a bust of Beethoven on the piano, which is far from a worship of these people as "gods".
Many people live by the rules of all three philosophies in an integrated manner. The ceremonial part of the religions of Daoism and Buddhism is a focus of attention, a means to establish a community and commonality for the same belief. The gods or deities are for those less educated so there is something to bind them to the rules, until the natural rules of ethics set hold in their minds. We may call them beliefs, but seldom do we call them faiths, which require subordination without questioning. We have many who believe in Buddhism but do not go to the extent of becoming a 100% vegetarian. Many also believe in Daoism without introducing the ceremonial and symbolic part into their life.
The book I like most which can explain much better what I meant by integration of the three "religions" is "Zen of Vegetable Roots". It is a
collection of quotations extracted from the three philosophies. You can
see a sample of these on my website: http://www.asiawind.com/art/caigentan/Default.htm. We regard these as codes of ethics, guidelines for living happily and healthily. It does not involve the presence of a superhuman or supernatural power to impose the rules. It is a natural cultivation of the innate kindness of human nature.
It is ironic that some religions violate their own rules and principles in the name of evangelism (e.g. do not commit murder and love others who are different or weaker). The termination of alien religions is something that once happened during the early conflicts of Buddhism and Daoism in China's history when the emperor dictated what should be right according to his own choice. But all three philosophies are now co-existing socially and in individuals.
I hope this answers your question.
S. L. Lee, PhD
InTechTra, Inc.
sllee@asiawind.com
sllee@columbus.rr.com
http://www.asiawind.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pb
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2002 1:47 am Post subject: Re: can a buddaist belive in taoism? |
|
|
You ask this question while you yourself maybe do not really understand what taoism is.
Taoism--is an -ism that Tao is the main point of study. Or they who study Tao, is classified in the Taoism study.
Tao itself is a Way, that we and all human beings should go on. This way is a choice of way of life. Is a Method to spend your life.
What kind of method it is? maybe I won't share this yet. Buddhism is also like this...A method for spending your life! So Taoism and Budhism is different method for spending your life...
Back to your question: do Buddists can believe in taoism? Why not if they feel that Taoim method is good too. But ONE IMPORTANT THING is that two methods cannot be applied for the same time...you have to choose!
pb. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Spider1969
Joined: 28 Aug 2002
Posts: 27
Location: Houston, TX
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2002 3:18 pm Post subject: Ba Xian |
|
|
I was actually just reading a bit about Daoism, and its history. The book I am reading states that the more popular of Daoist gods were the Ba Xian (Eight Immortals) 八仙.
It also states Shaolin Temples 少林寺 shaolin si were a fusion of Buddist and Daoist schools.
_________________
柯儒理 - 蜘蛛 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Hua ren
Joined: 27 Mar 2005
Posts: 25
Location: Singapore
|
| Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 12:55 am Post subject: Can Buddhist believe in Taoism |
|
|
| In any teaching or religion where the noble eightfold path is found there enlightenment is found. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
yojimbo
Joined: 01 Sep 2002
Posts: 71
|
| Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 1:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
The school of "Chan/Zen" is a fusion of Dao and Buddhism..
Dao is like air...it's everywhere.
"ren2 fa3 di4, di4 fa3 tian1, tian1 fa3 dao4, dao4 fa3 zi4 ran2..." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 8:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Paul,
Read Zhuangzi and Hui Neng to find the answer. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
yojimbo
Joined: 01 Sep 2002
Posts: 71
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:31 pm Post subject: Re: Can Buddhist believe in Taoism |
|
|
| Hua ren wrote: | | In any teaching or religion where the noble eightfold path is found there enlightenment is found. |
The statement isn't true at all..
There are many ways to enlightenment, just as many rivers run to the same sea. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 11:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Paul,
Regarding your 2nd posting, those who study Dao De Jing, Zhuang Zi etc seldom pray to deity, except to Lao Zi, the supposed founder of Taoism.
Others follow customs. They pray to deities at temples or at home.
It is hard to find Zhuang Zi in English, but you can go to [ ] to read Chinese/English version.
For Hui Neng go to [ ] to read Chinese/English version. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
chinapage
Site Admin
Joined: 03 Jun 2002
Posts: 3535
Location: New Jersey, U.S.
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Kew Kat Fatt said
| Quote: | | It is hard to find Zhuang Zi in English |
This is totally wrong. All of these are easily available on the web,
including the translations by great sinologists James Legge and
Burton Watson, plus many others.
In fact, these are right here at this website!!!
http://www.chinapage.com/philosophy/zhuangzi/zhuangzi.html
I urge all to at least "flip through the pages" of these writings before making foolish statements about what these philosophers said.
Ming |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
honggerui90
Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 5
Location: Los Angeles, America
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I will ask this question on this topic mainly because it deals with Chinese religion.
I have been trying to find the answer to this question for a year now, and am getting different answers everywhere.
In Mainland China, what religion is CURRENTLY the most popular? Are most Chinese non-religious or atheist? Or are most Buddhists or Taoists? I know on Taiwan most people mix Buddhism with their traditional folk religions.
_________________
[center]Hong Gerui[/center] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sllee
Joined: 10 Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
China does not have one dominant religion. It stresses on religious freedom as long as the religion has no conflict with national interest in stability and security. People may join their religion of choice, or they may remain unaffiliated. Some may go to both Buddhist temples and Daoist temples, but that does not mean they are Buddhists or Daoists. There is a co-existence of Christianity (Protestant and Catholic), Islam, and other religions. To most Chinese, Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism are really not religions but philosophies that set some moral standards.
A huge difference between the Chinese religion/philosophy is self-reflection rather than consultation of a third party. Confucianism in particular rejects the discussion of spirits and ghosts. For those who do need some object to assure their affiliation, there are temples and deities.
Another invisible moral force is the affiliation in family clans. There are "ci-tang" (ancestral halls) where the famous ancestors of the same clan are remembered. People are expected to lead a life in honor of the ancestors, and not to taint the clan's name.
There is too much to learn about Chinese philosophy and religion. You should try to read books rather than getting information from a forum.
You can go through Professor Pei's website first.
Hong Gerui, the 'avatar' you used belongs to a specific member. You should not use that. It confused me for a while.
This serves to answer your email also. For topics of common interest, it is better to use the forum.
_________________
SL Lee
http://www.asiawind.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
honggerui90
Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 5
Location: Los Angeles, America
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you for your reply.
On the avatar, I chose it from the gallery entitled "one", and there were no notices surrounding it. Thank you for the heads up.
Yes, I am currently studying Chinese history from several books, namely the long established histories by Roberts, etc. But yes, I agree, the topics of Chinese philosophy should not be discussed or learned in forums but rather from texts.
_________________
[center]Hong Gerui[/center] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kaile97
Joined: 29 Apr 2006
Posts: 7
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 11:05 am Post subject: Re: Can Buddhist believe in Taoism |
|
|
| yojimbo wrote: | | Hua ren wrote: | | In any teaching or religion where the noble eightfold path is found there enlightenment is found. |
The statement isn't true at all..
There are many ways to enlightenment, just as many rivers run to the same sea. |
Dear Hua ren & Yojimbo, I think you both are correct. (Hua ren, Love your name--I'm one, too.)
Yojimbo, you have posed a wonderful question and I am happy that you are seeking a path that will lead you to happiness and solidity.
It is well to read the Noble Eightfold Path before passing judgment. It may very well conincide with your ethics and beliefs. It is not easy to follow consistently, but one joy to the Eightfold Path is that there is no sin. When we fall short according to our true nature, we just recognize it and move on, trying to do better and apologizing to anyone we may have harmed. Please read more than what is posted here in order to more deeply add to your understanding.
1. Right Understanding is the ability to understand the nature of things exactly as they are, without delusion or distortion. Right understanding brings happiness and freedom from suffering. Through Right Understanding, we cultivate wisdom, an essential aspect of the Path.
2. Right Thought or Intention means our thoughts, feelings, desires, & intentions are in complete harmony with the wisdom of life, in accordance with the way reality works. The way we thing always influences our speech and actions, which brings happiness and benefit. through Rightful Thought we cultivate wisdom, essential to the Path.
3. Right Speech is the ability to speak thrughfully AND harmlessly. Right Speech comes naturally from Right Thought. Our speech should never be cruel or hurtful to others. through Rightful Speech we cultivate ethical conduct (personal integrity), the essential foundation of the Path.
4. Rightful Action means that our behaviour is ethical, honorable, and responsible. Always try to be compassionate, generous, nonviolent, and peaceful. We abstain fromunwholesome behaviour such as destroying life, taking what is not given (stealing), sexual misconduct and dealing with others in hurtful or dishonest ways. Right Action leads to personal integrity, the foundation of the Path.
5. Rightful Livelihood suggests that we earn our living in an honorable and life-affirming way, free from deceit or dishonesty. Our work should not involve harm, cruelty or injustice to either humans or animals. This would include selling weapons, alcohol or drugs, butcher of animals, or engage in deceitful practices. Through Rightful Livelihood we cultivate personal integrity, the foundation of the Path.
6. Rightful Effort is the wholehearted, diligent, and energetic endeavor to train our mind and heart. We are to restrain negative feelings, thoughts, and other unwholesom states of mind from arising. Right Effort means we avoid being carried away by distractions. If we trulyh want to awaken and attain liberation from suffering, we must train the mind and heart by diligently applying the necessary effort. Through Right Effort, we cultivate mental discipline and concentration, an essential aspect to the Path.
7. Right Mindfulness or Attention means being attentive, mindful, and aware of our bodily actions, sensations adn feelings adn the activity of our mind. We give our full attention to that which is positive, life affirming and beneficial to other beings. We are also mindful of that which is negative, harmful or destructive, to avoid it. We see things as they are without distortion or delusion. As we practice Mindfulness, we are steady, open, aware, present, insightful and serene in attitude, speech, and actions. Through Righ Mindfulness we cultivate mental discipling and concentration.
8. Right Concentration[b] is the means for training and centering the mind. Through Right Concentration, we bring our ordinarily restless, unconcentrated ind into a state of tranquility, one-pointedness and unbroken attentivbeness. This way, we extinguish the delusion, self-centered desire and destrutive thinking that rules the acattered, untrained mind and develop serenity and mental/emotional stbility. We gain insight into the true nature of reality. Through Right Concentration, we develop mental discipline and concentration, essential to the Path.
As mentioned above, much more reading is needed, but this is a thumbnail sketch (with apologies to Buddhism teachers!). Personally, I accept what I can use from Daoism, and any other philosophy or religion, but I am trying to walk the Boddhisattva Path.
Kaile |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kaile97
Joined: 29 Apr 2006
Posts: 7
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 11:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
| honggerui90 wrote: | I will ask this question on this topic mainly because it deals with Chinese religion.
I have been trying to find the answer to this question for a year now, and am getting different answers everywhere.
In Mainland China, what religion is CURRENTLY the most popular? Are most Chinese non-religious or atheist? Or are most Buddhists or Taoists? I know on Taiwan most people mix Buddhism with their traditional folk religions. |
Dear Friend,
Congratulations on your year-long search for truth. It sometimes is illusive, isn't it? It may be that no one answer exists.
In my exerience, when I have asked or heard others ask Chinese people about their religion (which, of course, out of politeness I seldomly asked), the most frequent reply was, "I don't have a relgion. I am a Communist." I often heard, however, young peole say, "My grandparents are Buddhist." Most Chinese homes have an altar, with Buddhist and/or Daoist dieties, as well as photos of their ancestors who are honored universally.
From my observations, travelling through China, many Buddhist temples are visible and the government has been restoring a lot of temples that were destroyed because they promote tourism. Almost all of the Buddhist temples I entered also had Daoist dieties represented inside.
From reading, it is my understanding that (since the 1980's) Buddhism has the largest number of participants, followed by Islam, Daoism and Christianity. There area number of ancient folk religions, such as animism, still practiced in some areas of the country that predate Daoism, I've read. The Christians are mostly Catholic, but some Protestant churches were reopened as well.
Does this help?
Kaile |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
josephajain
Joined: 14 Apr 2010
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 2:51 am Post subject: Buddhism |
|
|
It is really upto him whether to believe it or not...
_________________
Wedding invitation Wedding invitations |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
adimarten23
Joined: 16 Aug 2010
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 5:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
Well I think Taoism and Buddhism are two religions which have, more often than not, been confused with one another. This is because there are many elements that you can find in one which is also present in the other. But they would not have had different names had they been one and the same, and if you look at the main underlying concepts of both religions you will find some subtle yet meaningful differences.
_________________
voucher |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
