Eastern Religion

Through out the many religions of the world there seems to be a common element of nature. Through the course of this paper we will seek out this element with in specific Eastern religions. There are many degrees of commitment within each of the religions discussed from the extreme of Taoism, Shinto and Confucianism, these being the religions we will further discuss.
A religion to which nature contributes a substantial amount of influence is Taoism. Considerably argued that Laozi even existed, he is thought to be the founder of Taoism in the sixth century. The Ying- Yang and the Daode Jing are two important elements, which illustrate how they embrace and view nature.
The Ying Yang symbol is described as two elements joined together to form
There is no difference; no hierarchy. Man is as important as a flower or a bird. Living creatures and objects are all part of a whole; they are interconnected. When Buddhist pray or meditate, they identify with their surroundings, they become joyful upon seeing fish swimming free in the lake and the calm of the lotus flower bathed in sunshine. When nature is calm and unspoiled by man, it is pleasing to Buddhist. Compassion for all that live and suffer is a big role in the teachings of Buddha. Man is part of nature and nature is part of Buddha and his wish is for all living things to be in peace and secure His goal is to respect all essentials of nature, as well as hold respect for it. The Buddhist take great care of Nature, getting only what is needed at the time it is
The constant change and productivity of nature is very important. Various manuscripts in Confucian tradition stress on the intrinsic whole of humanity and the natural world. In these texts, the importance of the idea that humankind is understood to be set in nature and not dominant or more important than nature is well established. The significant worldview of Confucianism promotes harmony amidst change and this outlook is essential for seeing nature as fundamentally valuable. According to Confucianism this worldview is illustrated by four main rudiments; the first being anthropocosmic perspective or the great triad of heaven (a guiding force), nature and humans rather than an anthropocentric perspective or the belief that humans are most important in the world. The second of these key points is an organic holism of the continuity of being otherwise known as the universe seen as unified, interconnected, and interpenetrating. All action influences changes and condition. Which is why microcosm and macrocosm is so vital to Chinese cosmology. The third point is the dynamic vitalism best interpreted as the fundamentals of the core unity of reality, which is constituted of ch’i, the material force of the universe. Ch’i is the substance of life that is the source for the ongoing method of change and revolution in the universe. The final element is comprehensive ethics embracing both humans and nature.