Preview

Comparing Taoism And Islam

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
493 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Comparing Taoism And Islam
Taoism is a far eastern religion that teaches living in harmony with the way of nature. Tao literally translates to "The Way." Taoism complements Confucianism, Buddhism, and Shinto religions. In contrast, Islam is a middle eastern religion that lives by their sacred text the Qur'an. The role of the Qur'an can be comparable to Jesus Christ's role to Christianity. The two religions concept on God differs greatly. Those who practice Taoism do not believe in God at all. Taoism believes in two great masters: Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu. Lao Tzu is referred as "old master" and was conceived by a shooting star. Chuang Tzu is the supposed second founder of Taoism. Chuang Tzu wrote inspiring texts of humor that taught lessons. They believe an unseen force created the universe not God. It is beyond the reach of intellectual force. On the other hand, those who practice Islam believe in God. They believe He is the creator and they mention His name in prayer. The God they refer to, however, is Allah, The One God.

Taoism's way of prayer consists of living in accord with the Tao Te Ching. Tao Te Ching literally means "the book of the Way and its power." They say that Tao can never be completely explained in words. Their prayers include techniques of meditation, breathing exercises, and the eating of certain herbs and minerals. Islam prayer consists of following the Qur'an. It is believed to be the sacred words of Allah revealed to Muhammad. The book is revered as a miracle of God. Islam believes in the Five Pillars. These Pillars include: Confession of faith, Prayer (five times a day and during Ramadan), Fasting, Wealth Sharing, and a Pilgrimage.

Taoists ideal holy person is balanced. This balanced person has both the yin and yang characteristics. Yin being the feminine and passive, while the Yang is the masculine and active. You must live in accord with the Tao. This includes Humility and non-competition, naturalness, and passive. Islam's believe to be the ideal holy person, you
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Confucianism And Daoism Similarities
    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Confucianism And Daoism Similarities

    On the other hand, Taoism places much more focus on the relationship of the individual with himself, on achieving an inner harmony. Taoism is much less earthly in nature and places importance on "coming into harmony" with the Tao - the ultimate reality that formed the universe and everything around us. To simplify, while they both dwell on the improvement of the individual, Confucianism looks outward to accomplish this, while Taoism looks inward. Another area where the two philosophies differ is in how they are passed on and taught. While both philosophies revolve around the wisdom of a single teacher or master, they are presented in very different ways. Confucianism has a dialogic tradition - that is, lessons and teaching are presented as a dialog between the master (Confucius) and his student(s). In fact, most of the Confucian texts are simply that - recordings of question and answer sessions between master and student, each with a distinct lesson to impart. Taoism relies mostly on the direct writings of Lao Tzu, its founder. The…

    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Classical Empires Dbq
    • 1004 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Classical Empires Dbq

    Buddhism and Taoism are both mainly centered in eastern China, and many people are confused between the two. Not very many people understand what Buddhists stand for, but many people only know they live to find meaning, and to reach nirvana. Taoists look to end the sufferings in life.…

    • 1004 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Glg 101 Week 2 Critical Thinking Analysis
    • 831 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Glg 101 Week 2 Critical Thinking Analysis

    Each religion has many different views on life. For example Buddhism teaches us that life brings on constant changes and someone can always find a way to make him or herself or a situation better. It shows to view everything in a positive way rather than negative. Hinduism is one of the largest religion practiced today, though unlike Buddhism and Taoism, Hinduism believe in multiple God and each God teaches a different view. Hinduism believes in reincarnation, which is why they don’t kill cows or elephants. Taoism out of all 3 is the smallest religion and is a Chinese religion that practice living life with pure harmony leaving anything negative out. Which I honestly think is something that is very similar between all three, they all believe…

    • 831 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Similarities Between Taoism And Confucianism
    • 93 Words
    • 1 Page

    Similarities Between Taoism And Confucianism

    In the beginning of the document, Taoism is described as developed concurrently with Confucianism, as a rival to it (61). Taoism is all about living in harmony with the nature, therefore it is concerned with helping people live in harmony with nature and find internal peace (62). The word way or path is used in both Taoism and Confucianism to signify the fundamental and true nature of the world and people should think along the straight path of nature “He let things rise without dominance, possession or assertion, achieves without taking credit”…

    • 93 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Taoism In Tao-Te Ching And Bordertown
    • 816 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Taoism In Tao-Te Ching And Bordertown

    Is difficult to accept the world the way it is, just as it comes. Sometimes we tend to force things to happen and in response we just create more problems, making ourselves unhappy and suffer unnecessarily. Sometimes the best thing to do is to let things go and let them take a natural curse, in order to be leaded to success, whatever that is in each of our lives. Correspondingly, Tao Te Ching and Border Town, focus on Taoism and in both the idea of wu wei is deeply express by giving meaning to life through the constant flow of nature. Moreover, Taoism is centered in the spiritual level of self. It is an ancient religious and philosophical system that started in China. Tao meaning “the way,” can’t be described with words, neither can it be conceived…

    • 816 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Is The Difference Between Daoism And Confucianism
    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages

    What Is The Difference Between Daoism And Confucianism

    As a conclusion, Taoism originated as almost a rebellion against Confucian thoughts and ideas, rebelling against the rigid hierarchy and roles that were required of the the Confucianist people, and withdrawing themselves from their society to go and be one with nature. The significance of this information may help us better understand the Daoist people’s values and reasons for origination, in opposition to…

    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Tao of Pooh Book Review Essay Example
    • 2379 Words
    • 10 Pages

    The Tao of Pooh Book Review Essay Example

    Philosophy is a complicated subject. Since the beginning of human existence, many tried to come up with theories about life, happiness, reality and knowledge. From philosophical ideas different beliefs sprung, and existence of different religions followed. Every theory raised by a philosopher attracted different followers. In today's modern society aside from major religions, there are thousands of others that suggest that their explanations to universal questions are the only accurate ones, and all of these religions seek to gain more followers to join their "way". One of these religions is the religion/philosophy of Taoism. Taoism has it roots in China, where the founder of Taoism Lao-Tse was searching for a way that would avoid the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that disrupted his society during his lifetime. The result was his book: Tao-te-Ching. Lao-Tse described Taoism as a path or a way which one must follow in order to reach inner serenity and peace. In order to reach these inner goals one must live in harmony with nature and natural process that creates the balance in the universe.…

    • 2379 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ancient China Research Paper
    • 812 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Ancient China Research Paper

    The religion Taoism began in China in the 300's BC. "Taoism was Chinas own indigenous higher religion, characterized by the fourth century by a literate and self-perpetuating priesthood, a pantheon of celestial deities, complex rituals, and revealed scriptures in classical Chinese"(The Encyclopedia of Religion – volume 3 – 1993 Macmillan Publishing Company – New York, NY – pg. 272). Taoism as a philosophy appears in two books, the Lao-tzu which was later renamed Too Te Ching, and there was Chuang-tzu. The…

    • 812 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Taoism And Confucianism Similarities
    • 531 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Taoism And Confucianism Similarities

    On the other hand, Taoism believes in living in harmony which originates yin and yang (Diffen, n.d.). Taoist also believes in many deities. Taoism have eight immortals who have achieved this status in different ways: 1) Li Tie Guai, 2) Zhan Guo Lao, 3) Cao Guo Jiu, 4) Han Xiang Zi, 5) Lu Dong Bin, 6) He Xian Gu, 7) Len Cai He and 8) Zhong Li Quan (Corduan, 2012, p. 401). These eight people are significant to the Taoism faith. Like Confucianism,…

    • 531 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Differences And Similarities Between Daoism And Confucianism
    • 979 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Differences And Similarities Between Daoism And Confucianism

    In sum, Taoism and Confucianism are two different set of belifes that are trying to achieve the same goal which is, Dao. Dao is the way of life. Taoism relies on nature to guide them through the way of life and Confucianism relies on the personal relationships with others to achieve the ultimate way of life. I believe mixing the two together will create the ultimate way of life. People will have great respect for all living things, nature, and people. The unity between the two philosophies would have created a greater…

    • 979 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Compare And Contrast Confucianism And Buddhism
    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Confucianism And Buddhism

    In comparison, Taoism is more concerned with solving the riddle of life and encouraging a lifestyle that is in harmony with nature. The goal of the Taoist is to follow the Tao, “The Way”, in order to (as Lao-tse advised) “join the dust of the world”, rather than to turn away from it (qtd. in Hoff 445). Classic Taoism developed over the years into philosophical, monastic, and folk religious forms (Hoff 445). Taoism is thus more of a philosophical and religious tradition than the concrete religion of…

    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hinduism and Buddhism vs. Confucianism and Taoism
    • 800 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Hinduism and Buddhism vs. Confucianism and Taoism

    Hinduism is, some would say, the world's most ancient and sprawling religion. Its scriptures and teachings are voluminous and wide-ranging, addressing everything from science and history to philosophy, art and, of course, spirituality. Comparatively speaking, the Hindu teachings are uniquely inclusive rather than exclusive. One of its early Vedas openly recognizes the universality of the spiritual path: "Truth is one; sages call it by different names." As in Buddhism, Hinduism stresses the necessity of letting go our compulsive attachment to, and fascination with, the ego or the self, so that we can realize The Self, or selflessness. The differences in supreme beings between Hinduism and Buddhism show two extremes of the same idea. Hinduism believes in one Supreme Being, but separates its characteristics into many different Gods. Everything is a part of the Supreme Being. Buddhism sees the individual's thought and nature as supreme, and therefore does not have a single God, and so turns inward instead of outward. Similarities between views of man and nature greatly show the progression from Hinduism to Buddhism as the same ideas of everything being one and the same are expressed in different contexts. Both religions are also similarly based on attaining certain knowledge in order to reach salvation or Nirvana. Taoism and Confucianism have to be seen side-by-side as two distinct responses to the social, political and philosophical conditions of life two and a half millennia ago in China. Whereas Confucianism is greatly concerned with social relations, conduct and human society, Lao Tzu emphasized the need to look beyond the promises and treaties of human beings for a source of peace and contentment; and he urged to return to nature's way, that is, a simple and harmonious life. Chuang Tzu developed Taoism emphasizing on the natural way as opposed to the artificial and contrived way of persons. The Tao is similar to the Christian God in that is omnipresent and all…

    • 800 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The religion
    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The religion

    Taoism is a religion in my opinion. But this has to be based on the persons beliefs, for me a religion has to include belief in a higher power, been kind and having a bit of peace with ourselves. Taoism offers all three of these things. I do not think the higher power in Taoism is the kind of power other religions concern themselves because it is not a conscious power. A higher power needs to be directly perceptible in order for followers to pray but this does not apply to Taoism.…

    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Classicism In Ancient Rome
    • 945 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Classicism In Ancient Rome

    The origins of Chinese beliefs came from the gods, who tended to be anthropomorphic, having human characteristics, and nature and the people’s attitudes towards them.(12) There were many rituals the Chinese attempted to try to appease the gods. They would burn paper images in order to try and please the nature gods.(13) Family was very important in the Chinese culture. As a family they would worship their ancestors. By worshiping their ancestors they provided a communication link to the gods. The Chinese civilization had three belief systems- folk beliefs, Confucianism, and Taoism.(14) Taoism is the thought of heaven, earth and human beings constituted a single unity governed by the cosmic law. It is the balance of good and evil, it is a small, peaceful society that is self sufficient and is the harmony of opposites.(15) Taoism has two interacting forces- yin and yang. Yin is negative, feminine and passive. Yang is positive, masculine and…

    • 945 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Daoism
    • 576 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Daoism

    Daoism or Taoism is a western religion. This religion states that every thing living and not living has a power flowing through it. The word dao means the way or the path; it is indefinable and Daoists say you have to experience it. One of the basic beliefs of Daoism is that there cannot be light without dark, no good without evil and no male without female. Daoism started as just psychology and a philosophy but in 440 A.D. it evolved into a state religion in China. In time it would become one of the three great religions of China.…

    • 576 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics