Buddhism Vs Confucianism

During the sixth century in India, an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama renounced his status and wealth in order to become enlightened. After becoming enlightened he announced the principals of what he believed was going to be the new way of life, Buddhism. Some many years later, Buddhism found its way into China. And while many peasants saw a positive impact in the incoming way of life, many people with higher statuses did not. Many peasants and people of lower class supported this new teaching because it gave them something more to believe in, like an afterlife, rather than Confucianism which was stricter and did not have an afterlife. According to tradition, the Four Noble Truths explain how in ones life you can take the suffering
Rulers want to be in complete power, and a new teaching that is severing that order could cause chaos in the rulers mind. Also, Buddhism compared to Confucianism is very laid back and easy-going. Confucianism’s a lot stricter and if people do not live in fear of this strict code what is going to prevent them from revolting? An official in the Tang imperial court by the name of Han Yu expressed his opinion on Buddhism to be very negative. He demands that Buddhism is to be “rooted out, and late generations spared this delusion.” He also views Buddhism as being no more than a cult of barbarians, because it was not here in ancient times. I do not agree with his statement in that many things were not here in the past but are here today. For example, the cell phone. The cell phone was not here 50 years ago, but is here today and can be used for emergencies and better our safety in this world. Just because something is new does not mean it is evil or barbaric. However I do agree with the statement made that says “The Buddha…who did not speak Chinese and who wore clothes of a different fashion…and the Buddhas manner of dress did not conform to our laws.” I agree with this because Buddhism is a way of life, these new teachings would impact peoples lives daily. So if this Buddha is an alien, a person who is not from here how could he possibly understand our laws and fit our needs? Although its not bad to try new things, I understand the hesitance of people to believe in something so foreign. (doc. 4) Supporting an earlier statement that rulers did not want a change, Emperor Wu, in the edict of Buddhism explains how Buddhism has “Injured mankind”. He states that “Buddhism wears out the peoples strengths, pilfers their wealth, causes people to abandon their lords and parents for the company of teachers, and