What are the main differences between the East Asian Religions?

Question

I'm curious what the general, summed up beliefs of taoism, shinto, confucianism, and buddhism are. Along with the summed up ideas of each religion, I want to know what the main differences are between the religions.

Answer 1

Taoism's main theme is going with the way of things. The way of things (Tao) is just how the world turns, and if you just go with it to a certain extent you'll get inner peace. "Go with the flow."

Shinto is Japanese. They are closer to what a Westerner would recognize as a religion because Shinto actually have deities instead of just ideals. It's a polytheistic religion.

Confucianism focuses on a set of rules written by Confucius. They are very detailed and talk about how one should treat his or her family members, elders, young ones, friends, seniors, and so on. They have a general theme of respecting the elderly, or anybody older than you, because they have more wisdom. The rules are rather extreme but probably acknowledges that nobody is perfect and they can't follow all of them all the time. Respect is the most important thing here, because how you behave is a demonstration of your maturity and how parents have raised you. Again, no deities here.

If you think life sucks then Buddhism is sooo your religion... Buddhism revolves around the idea of a Nirvana: a state of nonexistence. The concept states that to live is to suffer. You live, you have desires while you're alive, you succumb to those desires, you suffer while you try to reach your desires, you die, then you reincarnate into your next life to suffer again. The only way out is to desire nothing (wanting is different from needing here: food is still necessary) Once you have achieved the state of mind where you desire nothing whatsoever, you would have reached Nirvana and cease to exist, free from another life of suffering. Also, Buddha is not a name but a title. A Buddha is someone who has reached Nirvana. So again, Buddha is not a deity.

It's also interesting to note that you can be both Taoist and Confucian (and maybe other combinations too) at the same time because their believes don't clash.



That's pretty much a very condensed set of description without going further into detail. I think I just gave you a few weeks of college world religion class there....

Answer 2

Of course with a little time and study (like with wikipedia) you can do all of this basic stuff for yourself...not many people have the time or desire to be a source of easy information to someone they don't know.  Besides, it will be more meaningful if you put forth the beginning effort rather than have someone else do it for you...after your initial work some  questions on your part may be better made and or answered.

Answer 3

Taoism An ancient tradition of philosophy and belief rooted in Chinese worldview.

Shinto Japanese folk tradition and ritual with no founder or single sacred scripture.

Confucianism Chinese philosophy on living in a structured and harmonious society and personal view and behaviour.

Buddhism A way of living based on the teachings of Siddartha Gautama.  

Compare the differences and similarities here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/