Religion hinduism, buddhism, taoism daoism, confucianism. The religion is believed to have influenced many of other world religions, including christianity. Religious understanding is as important today than any other time in history. Comparison of eastern faiths buddhism, hinduism, taoism.
As the chart indicates, among the very oldest religions are hinduism, judaism, and. It is centered around the namegiving tao or the way, an intentionally vague and allencompassing concept thats insanely difficult to translate. Animism still practiced today, this ancient way of thinking has roots in. Eastern religions hinduism, buddhism, confucianism. While written history is only around 5,000 years old, religion, in some form, has. Apr 10, 2017 the taote ching is the central text of both philosophical and religious taoism. Translating texts of buddhist and hindu religious doctrines was not considered a. In hinduism, attaining the highest life is a process of removing the bodily distractions from life, allowing one to eventually understand the brahma nature within. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study. Hinduism, buddhism, confucianism, sikhism, and taoism exam study guide by shinykeysxii includes 41 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. Its name comes from zarathushtra, to whom the earliest texts of the.
Tao is an impersonal force that we align to in an impersonal waygod is personal creator who knows us can be known by us, 2. In part two we will look a little deeper at the three jewels of taoism and ask whether or not these are the only aspects of taoism in common with islam. Hinduism, a polytheistic religion and perhaps the oldest of the great world religions, dates back about 6,000 years. Confucianism believes in setting good examples for others to follow, primarily in 5 key relationships. Zoroastrian texts depict one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions practiced in iran around 600bc650ce. The hinduism and buddhism outlook on karma 1814 words. More than 600 million hindus practice the religion worldwide, though most reside in india. The tao of taoism is freedom to embrace all the whimsy of life. Therefore, even if hinduism is much older than daoism, they both have millions of followers. The tao that a confucian teaches is a rigid logical complex system of behavior. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay tablets which scholars typically date around 2600 bce. Not an expert on taoism but wanted to shed some light and clear misunderstandings on hinduism the term and concept of hinduism was coined only in recent times. Since then, followers of buddhism practice the buddhas peaceful teachings. This is one of the core beliefs that nearly all the sects share.
The knowledge imparted by the vedas ranges from earthy devotion to high philosophy. While we have the main vedas, upanishads, the mahabharata in several translations we also present newer commentaries, anthologies, and entirely new branches of hinduism. For twenty five centuries the fundamentals of taoism have laid virtually unexplored by western minds. The first of the oldest surviving religious texts, the pyramid. Tao te ching book of the way and its power, or manifestation a work of seminal importance to taoism and influential on zen buddhism, this work is elliptical and often mystifying, perhaps the inevitable result of trying to describe in words what the author. Tao teching taoism book of philosophy was mainly written by laotse, who is believed by many to be the founder of taoism. I will lay out a timeline here so that all this is clear. A confucian embraces order while a taoist will dance to chaos. The oldest known version of the tao te ching was written on. May 22, 2020 here at the hinduism section of, we aim at presenting the original works that lay the foundations of hinduism.
The place to want to be in the future is the ultimate reality that exceeds the reach of the senses, if. Hinduism contains its own customs, festivals and holy books as well as a number of deities that intertwine its history, culture and indian society, past and present. An introduction to eastern psychological systems as found in the classic texts and practices of buddhism, hinduism, and taoism. The term tao is typically translated as way or path. But zoroastrianism being 8367 years old seems a little unbelievable. The articles in this section explain some of the beliefs that are especially fundamental to taoism. Hindu texts are manuscripts and historical literature related to any of the diverse traditions within hinduism. Taoism is in the unique position of being a philosophy that was able to take on religious aspects, derived from folkloric chinese customs and thus satisfy all adherents and prospective adherents. The upanishads are also called as vedantas or the end of the vedas. On paper, the tao of confucianism is quite a bit different than the tao of taoism. Taoism originated in china and it is also believed to have emerged in the sixth century b.
This may make these creeds as old, if not older, as zoroastrianism. Buddhism is an offshoot of the preexisting religion of hinduism. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. At this moment the archaeological discoveries point to zoroastrianism to be older. The tao te ching, the foundational text of taoism, is also traditionally attributed. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Very little is known about laotzu, and many scholars believe that the tao te ching was written by several philosophers rather than one person since the text comprises a series of. Oct 26, 2010 similarities between hinduism and taoism are listed here below. Scholars hesitate in defining the term hindu scriptures given the diverse nature of hinduism, but many list the bhagavad gita and the.
It is also known as lao tzus five thousand words, as it is attributed to the sage lao tzu master lao, c. For example, the story of creating the world in seven days is told in avesta one of the texts that predate the bible. Hinduism comprises so many different beliefs and rituals that some. Buddhism is considered to be the fourth largest religion of the world. A few texts are shared resources across these traditions and broadly considered as hindu scriptures. The most important characteristic of the eastern world view one could almost say the essence of it is the awareness of the unity and mutual interrelation of all things and events, the experience of all phenomena in the world as manifestations of a basic oneness. The four major religions of the far east are hinduism, buddhism, confucianism, and taoism. Taoteching taoism book of philosophy was mainly written by laotse, who is believed by many to be the founder of taoism. Which religion is oldest taoism buddhism confucianism or. Why buddhism and hinduism are well known, but taoism is. The only thing they have in common is lack of salvation through both. While confucianism concerns itself with the social and moral side of life, taoism focuses on the individual, spiritual life.
They differ from literary texts by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual practices, commandments or laws, ethical conduct, spiritual aspirations, and for creating or fostering a religious community. Superficially, hinduism appears to be a true polytheistic religion. Jul 14, 2012 older organized religions did exist egypt, mesopotamia although they are now dead. It is a very informative book with lovely pictures that display people in worship and various places connected to the religion in question.
The relative authority of religious texts develops over time and is derived from the ratification. May 05, 2005 eastern religions with general editor michael d. Why buddhism and hinduism are well known, but taoism is not. Not included, then, are the various animistic and shamanistic traditions. See major holidays for listings of religious holidays the worlds faithful account for 83% of the global population. Confucianism vs taoism difference and comparison diffen.
Although the original texts may have been hundreds of years older, most of. Hinduism, a polytheistic religion and perhaps the oldest of the great world religions, dates back about 6000 years. However, buddha rejected many concepts of hinduism. To be a true man is the highest taoistic achievement of a man, and. Oct 14, 2007 hinduism is the harmonious working together of these three worlds.
Philosophical taoism, often represented by the yinyang symbol, originated in china with the teacher lao tzu 604517 bc. Hinduism is about understanding brahma, existence, from within the atman, which roughly means self or soul, whereas buddhism is about finding the anatman not soul or not self. Performed only by some sects, in which they give praise to their ancestors out of respect and gratitude. The nature of godgods a comparison of hinduism and buddhism. The blend of taoism and buddhism, which is called chan in chinese and zen in japanese, is definitely not older than hinduism. Zoroastrianism rose circa 6,000 bce to 4,000 bce and remained a dominant religious tradition until the prophet. Bahagavad gita indian hindu epic poem between 200 bc.
Religious texts are texts related to a religious tradition. Hinduism, buddhism, confucianism, sikhism, and taoism exam. How can buddhism be older than hinduism, when gautama. Both of these religions posses a wide range of beliefs and practices. Jerusalem is a holy city for judaism, christianity, and islam, whose adherents comprise 50% of the worlds population. Countless deities, gods, goddesses, and incarnations abound, and are defined in sacred hindu texts, such as the regveda, the bhagavad gita, and the upanishads. In english, its name is usually translated as classic of the way of power. Both buddhism, taoism, and hinduism in religious context compare through origin, philosophy, and their social structures including their outlook on women. The arians brought this religion with them when they came to india. Hinduism comprises so many different beliefs and rituals that some sociologists have suggested thinking of it as a grouping of int. However, the puranas are supposed to be complied by muni vyasa. Its scriptures and teachings are voluminous and wideranging, addressing everything from science and history to philosophy, art and, of course, spirituality. Which vary dependent on regions, countries and other factors.
Yet the hindu acknowledges a supreme reality in brahman. The book contains 81 short chapters and attempts to define the elusive nature of the tao, which means the way and prescribes a method for living a harmonious life. Koran or alquran holy book of islam was written in 650 ad. Jan 27, 2009 now, there has been a lot of talk about the gods of hinduism and how they might relate to taoism, but what most people dont realize is that hinduism isnt polytheistic. The key book of taoism was compiled around the 3rd century bce. See more ideas about buddhism, taoism and hinduism. This still makes hinduism noticeably older than most other religions, but it is in serious competition with zoroastrianism.
Which is an older religion, taoism or hinduism answers. Veda sacred scriptures of hinduism written 500 bc. Although we do not know much about his life, he left his teachings behind for posterity in a brief work called tao te ching, that is, the way and its powervirtue. In search of one of the worlds oldest religions the getty iris.
Tao te ching book of the way and its power, or manifestation a work of seminal importance to taoism and influential on zen buddhism, this work is elliptical and often mystifying, perhaps the inevitable result of trying to describe in words what the author insists is ineffable, unnameable, and unknowable. The tao is a fundamental idea in most chinese philosophical schools. Deeming that the work of hwangdze and laodze was of a deeper character than the others, he ordered that it should be called a king, established a board for the study of taoism, and issued an edict that the book should be learned and recited at court, and throughout the country. That is why, until today, most texts and living spiritual teachers available in englishspeaking nations are more focused on indian buddhism and its metamorphosis in china than on taoism. Sure some people think so, but some people think red and gold and buddhas belly are lucky and that religion is some ticket to fortune and happiness if you jump through a few. Taoism principles are in brackets brahman is the first cause and it pervades the universe. Taoists have priests as their leaders much like christians do today. Another important book is the chuangtzu, and it was published after the tao te ching. In ad 742, the name of his birthplace was changed but only for a time to nanhwa, and an imperial order was issued that k wang. Start studying eastern religions hinduism, buddhism, confucianism, taoism, and shintoism. Buddhism vs hinduism difference and comparison diffen. In yet others hinduism, buddhism, there has never been a definitive canon. The four books of the vedasrig, yajur, sama and atharvainclude over 100,000 verses. Religion or dharma has been a factor of the human experience throughout history, from.
Individual goal is to realize selfa believers goal is to harmonize themselves with the tao. And both religions are centered in two major countries. Taoism, also spelled daoism, is an indigenous religious and philosophical system which has shaped chinese culture since the 6th century b. These texts are glorious tales of the hindu trinity brahma, vishnu and maheshwar shiva. Apr 03, 20 the puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. Hinduism, buddhism, confucianism, and taoism cliffsnotes. Lao tzu which means the old boy, the old fellow, or the grand old master, originated the taoism religion. Due to the lack of evidence, we cant say exactly if zoroastrianism is older than judaism. Bahagavad gita indian hindu epic poem between 200 bc 200 ad. Taoism can be defined as pantheistic, given its philosophical emphasis on the formlessness of the tao and the primacy of the way rather than anthropomorphic concepts of god. In this highly acclaimed book, mary pope osborne introduces readers to the six major religions of the world. Access is dramatically greater in the west to indias spiritual knowledge rather than chinas taoism.
The old testament, of hebrew origin, is the sacred scripture of judaism and is the first portion. Also discounting animism, since it is an abstract concept and not a fully organized religion. Confucianism and taoism are both ancient chinese styles of living. What are some big differences between hinduism and daoism. One world, many religions covers the history, beliefs, and practices of judaism, christianity, islam, hinduism, buddhism, confucianism, and taoism. Hinduism comprises so many different beliefs and rituals that some sociologists have suggested thinking of it as a grouping of. Coogan is a basic guide to the salient points of hinduism, buddhism, taoism, confucianism, and shinto.
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