Buddhism vs Confucianism - Difference and Comparison

Use of statues and picturesCommon. Statues are used as meditation objects, and revered as they reflect the qualities of the Buddha.Permitted.Place of originIndian subcontinentChinaLife after deathRebirth is one of the central beliefs of Buddhism. We are in an endless cycle of birth, death and re-birth, which can only be broken by attaining nirvana. Attaining nirvana is the only way to escape suffering permanently.Ancestors and heritage is important, but not worshiped.PracticesMeditation, the Eightfold Path; right view, right aspiration, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentrationVisit to temples to pay homage to Ti'en (while it can refer to God or Heaven, it traditionally refers to social power), Confucius, and ancestors; To practice ('Jing zuo, ') or 'Quiet Sitting', a neo-Confucian seeking of self-cultivation.FounderThe Buddha (born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama).Kong Qiu (Confucius)Belief of GodThe idea of an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent creator is rejected by Buddhists. The Buddha himself refuted the theistic argument that the universe was created by a self-conscious, personal God.Depending on the religion held, usually Buddhist. Confucianism is not strictly a religion but rather advises a schema of social order.Literal MeaningBuddhists are those who follow the teachings of the Buddha.Disciple of Confucius.ClergyThe Buddhist Sangha, composed of bhikkhus (male monks) and bhikkhunis (female nuns). The sangha is supported by lay Buddhists.Bureaucrats.View of the BuddhaThe highest teacher and the founder of Buddhism, the all-transcending sage.Buddha is followed by many Confucians.Human NatureIgnorance, as all sentient beings. In the Buddhist texts, it is seen that when Gautama, after his awakening, was asked whether he was a normal human being, he replied, "No".Humans should respect those who are superior to them.ScripturesTripitaka - a vast canon composed of 3 sections: the Discourses, the Discipline and the Commentaries, and some early scriptures, such as the Gandhara texts.Analects of Confucius and Mencius; I Ching; Doctrine of Mean, etc.FollowersBuddhistsConfucianistsHoly days/Official HolidaysVesak day in which the birth, the awakening, and the parinirvana of the Buddha is celebrated.Chinese New Year, Teacher Day, Ancestor Day.Geographical distribution and predominance(Majority or strong influence) Mainly in Thailand, Cambodia, Sri lanka, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Japan, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Other small minorities exist in other countries.Asia.Original Language(s)Pali(Theravada tradition) and Sanskrit(Mahayana and Vajrayana tradition)Mandarin or CantoneseView of other Dharmic religionsSince the word Dharma means doctrine, law, way, teaching, or discipline, other Dharmas are rejected.Confucianists usually follow Buddhism, which is a Dharmic religion.Goal of PhilosophyTo eliminate mental suffering.Social Harmony.Place of worshipBuddhist monasteries, temples, shrines.Temples.Status of womenNo distinctions between men and women. Women are equal to men, and men are equal to women in the Sangha. The Buddha gave Men and Women equal rights and a major part in the Sangha.Socially inferior to men.PrincipleThis life is suffering, and the only way to escape from this suffering is to dispel one's cravings and ignorance by realizing the Four Noble Truths and practicing the Eightfold Path.Confucianism is all about the brotherhood of humanity.Goal of religionTo attain enlightenment and be released from the cycle of rebirth and death, thus attaining Nirvana.To have a structured society.Time of origin2,500 years ago, circa 563 B.C.E. (Before Common Era)Approx. 550 B.C.E.(Before Common Era)Concept of Deityn/a. According to some interpretations, there are beings in heaven realms but they are also bound by "samsara". They may have less suffering but have not yet achieved salvation (nibbana)Most believe in One God, but this is not necessary since Confucianism is not a religion but a belief system about social ordering.Can atheists partake in this religion's practices?Yes.Yes.Views on Other ReligionsBeing a practical philosophy, Buddhism is neutral against other religions.Confucianists see no contradiction in following more than one religion.Authority of Dalai LamaDalai Lamas are tulkus of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. They are cultural figures and are independent of the doctrinal basis of Buddhism.N/A.What They BelieveThe principle of equality: that all living entities are equalConfucianism is a system of thought based on the teachings of Kong Zi, Master Kong

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