Main menu

-Buddhism--Confucianism-

-Taoism-

The Three major ISM’S

Main menu

Please Use

YourMouse

To

Navigate

Main menu

The Three ISM’sBuddhism

Confucianism

Taoism

Main menu

Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama:

Was born around 563 B.C.

In Nepal

The father of Buddhism

Main menu

BuddhismAt 29yrs old Siddhartha Gautama

While sitting under the bo tree, he experienced

The Great Awakening

Gautama was gone and would now be known as the *BUDDHA*

Main menu

BuddhismThe Buddha began Buddhism and

taught it to anyone who would listen.He was teaching a religion that was

devoid of:AuthorityRitualTraditionSupernatural

Main menu

BuddhismIt was though in fact:

EmpiricalScientificPragmaticTherapeuticEgalitarianDirected to individuals

Main menu

BuddhismBuddha’s key discovery is known as

the Four Noble Truths.

The first truth is Dukka. Which refers to life's suffering. Buddha believed that the pains we feel in life could be cured through Buddhism.

Main menu

BuddhismBuddha’s key discovery is known as

the Four Noble Truths.

The second truth is Tanha. Which translates to the desire for private fulfillment.

Main menu

BuddhismBuddha’s key discovery is known as

the Four Noble Truths.

The third truth is the cure for Tanha. Not the real cure though, just the knowledge, and understanding that there is a cure.

Main menu

BuddhismBuddha’s key discovery is known as

the Four Noble Truths.

The fourth truth is the real cure for Tanah. It comes in the form of the Eight Fold Path.

Main menu

BuddhismThe Eight Fold Path: You must have

all of the following qualities to cure Tanha.

The Right Knowledge:You must have the knowledge of the Four

Noble Truths.The Right Aspiration:

You have to want to reach true enlightenment for the Eight Fold Path to work.

As in ConfucianismAs in Taoism

Main menu

BuddhismThe Eight Fold Path: You must have

all of the following qualities to cure Tanha.

The Right Speech:You need to take notice of how often you

feel the need to deviate from the truth.

The Right Behavior:Do not kill, Steal, Lie, or be unchaste, take

drugs or intoxicants.

Main menu

BuddhismThe Eight Fold Path: You must have

all of the following qualities to cure Tanha.

The Right Livelihood:Your occupation can not go against the

teachings of the Buddha.

The Right Effort:You have to be dedicated and always try to

follow the way of the Buddhist.Unlike Taoism

Main menu

BuddhismThe Eight Fold Path: You must have

all of the following qualities to cure Tanha.

The Right Mindfulness:You have to be aware of every part of

yourself. Your thought and your feelings.

The Right Absorption:If you loose delusion, craving and hostility,

the three poisons. You will see things how they should be.

Main menu

BuddhismIf you follow the Four Noble truths

you could reach Nirvana. Which is the ultimate goal for every Buddhist.

“Nirvana is permanent, stable imperishable, immovable, ageless, deathless, unborn, and unbecoming; it is power, bliss and happiness, the secure refuge, the shelter, and the place of unassailable saftey;… incomprehensible peace (world’s region)

Main menu

Buddhism

Buddha said that the human self has no soul, “Anatta”.

Main menu

Buddhism

Buddha did believe in reincarnation. He saw it as a wave. He said that nothing will be identical to this

life in the next, “Pari Passu”.

Main menu

BuddhismThere are three groups of Buddhist

today.

Hinayana: The Little Way

Mahayana: The Great Way

Vajrayana: The Diamond Way

Main menu

BuddhismHinayana: The Little Way

They prefer to call their Buddhism “Theravada”

The way of the Elders.They follow the Pali Canon records.Believed that Progress lies with the

individual.Believe that there is no God to help you

get through life.As in Confucianism

Main menu

BuddhismHinayana: The Little Way

The prime attribute is wisdom “Bodhi”.Sangha: Monasteries filled with spiritual

dynamos where Theravada thrived. They believe that their religion was for

these high priest to teach and pass on.They would only use meditation and

invocations to strengthen their faith.

Main menu

BuddhismMahayana: The Great Way

Claim that they represent the true line of succession, from the Buddha.

That Buddha reached Nirvana and returned to teach others how to reach it as well.

They believe that there is defiantly, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, to help them through life.

Bodhisattvas: A person that has attained enlightenment, but postpones Nirvana in order to enlighten others.

Main menu

BuddhismMahayana: The Great Way

The prime attribute is compassion “Karuna”.

Believe that the religion is primarily for the average person.

They added supplications, petition, and calling out Buddha’s name for strength.

Main menu

BuddhismVajrayana: The Diamond Way

The way to realize Buddha’s wisdom and compassion.

Vajrayana started in Tibet.The essence of Vajrayana Buddhism is

Tantra.It teachings gives the advantage of

reaching Nirvana in a single life time by using, and focusing all the energies in the body.

Main menu

BuddhismVajrayana: The Diamond Way

Mantras: Fashion sounds into holy formulas

Mudras: Turn hand gestures into scared dances

Mandalas: Use icons who’s holy beauty empowers

Main menu

BuddhismVajrayana: The Diamond Way

The Dali Lama is the Vajrayana’s version of a Bodhisattva.

The Dali Lama has reincarnated himself 13 times, so he can continue to lead the Tibetan people.

Main menu

BuddhismHinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana: The

RaftsThey all have a single founder.They all deal with the metaphor, using a

raft to cross life’s river.Once you cross the river the realm of God

is no distant place. It is where you now stand.

They all have very lavish temples and shrines.

Unlike Taoism

Main menu

BuddhismHinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana: The

RaftsThey all believe in the kindness to all

creatures, the non-killing of animals, the elimination of caste barriers in religion and their reduction in social matters. (world religion’s)

Buddhism thrives in every Asian land, except the one that gave birth to it. India

Main Menu

Main menuConfucianismThe father of

ConfucianismConfucius:

Was born around 551 B.C.In what is now the Shantung Province

Main menuConfucianismIn his early twenties he became a tutor

At the age of fifty Confucius set out on a 13 year trek

He died at the age of 74Confucius was undoubtedly one of the

worlds best teachersHe always taught very informal, like a

fellow learner with his studentsHe never thought of himself as a sage

Main menuConfucianismWith his death began his glorification

His teachings have touched almost every Chinese student for the past two thousand years.

Confucius believed that tradition was the key to peace, in this very unstable time.

He believed that tradition would show them the way back to a happy China.

Main menuConfucianismConfucius looked back Five Hundred years to the Chou Dynasty for the answer on how to get China out of turmoil. He shifted tradition from an unconscious

state to a state of consciousness.During the Chou Dynasty, warfare had

become a very gruesome affair, whole populations were put to death. Anywhere from 60,000 to 400,000 people slaughtered

Main menuConfucianismConfucius had Five Ideals that guided his thoughts:Jen: Is the ideal way for one to carry

oneself through life. “Measure the feeling of others by one’s own.”

Chu Tzu: If Jen is how a person should be, then Chu Tzu is how a person should act.

Main menuConfucianismConfucius had Five Ideals that guided his thoughts:Li: The propriety- The way things should be

done. It is the way you should act in what ever role you play in life.

A father should be a father, and a ruler should be a ruler.

Te: Translates to “Power”. How the people with power, use it. For a person to be a great leader his followers must choose to follow him.

Unlike Taoism

Main menuConfucianismConfucius had Five Ideals that guided his thoughts:Wen: Victory goes to the state with the

highest culture. Art has the power to ennoble the human spirit.

China placed the scholar-bureaucrat at the top of its social scale, and its soldiers at the bottom.

Main menuConfucianismConfucius believed that with out human relationships, there would be no self.

There are Five Constant relationships in life:

Parent and ChildHusband and WifeElder Sibling and Junior SiblingElder Friend and Junior Friend

Main menuConfucianismPeople have to warrant the respect and power that comes with their positions in life. Power and respect are not a given, they must be earned.

He believed that if everyone followed the five ideals, even just one person the effect would be wide spread. Through that person’s family, community, nation, and the world.

As in BuddhismUnlike Taoism

Main menuConfucianismConfucius shifted China’s focus from heaven to earth. Though he did not remove heaven from the picture.He saw that his country could not serve it’s

people, so how was it going to serve it’s ancestors.

He believed that somewhere in the universe there is a power that is on the side of right.

Main menuConfucianismChina configured the Confucianism religion, so that it would serve everyone.

China still holds a great importance for the Five Constant Relationships.

With each passing year people listen more and more to there elders.

Main menuConfucianism

You should be able to work out your problems with out involving the courts.

Confucianism has the power to change entire civilizations for the better. It affects every aspect of life and makes it better.

Main menuConfucianismConfucius repeatedly calls for Self-examination

There are many extravagant temples and shrines for Confucius.

Confucius focused on the individuals, the people more than anything else.

Unlike Taoism

Unlike Taoism

Main MenuMain Menu

As in Buddhism

Main menu

TaoismThe father of Taoism

Lao Tzu:Was born around 640 B.C.No one is really sure about any dates or places.

Main menu

TaoismLao Tzu was not pleased with his

people, so he left and went on a journey.Lao Tzu was asked to leave a record of his beliefs with his civilization.

It took him three days to complete 5000 characters titled the Tao Te Ching.

Main menu

TaoismThe Tao Te Ching is in effect the Taoist

bible.

It centers around the concept of Tao. Or the “path”

Main menu

TaoismThere are three meanings of “Tao”

Tao- The way to ultimate reality. This Tao is way to vast for a person to comprehend or fathom.

Tao- The way of the universe. The norm, the rhythm, and the driving power in all of nature. Deals more with the spiritual side then the Physical side of things.

Main menu

TaoismThere are three meanings of “Tao”

Tao- The way of human life. It refers to the way that we mesh with the Tao of the universe.

Main menu

TaoismJust like the three meanings of Tao. All

three were designed to facilitate the power of Tao through “te”

There are three types of Taoism:Philosophical Taoism

Religious or Popular Taoism

Vitalizing Taoism

Main menu

TaoismPhilosophical Taoism:

Is a reflective look at lifeRelatively unorganizedTeaches what you should understandYou work on improving yourselfSeeks power through knowledgeSought to conserve “te” and not to expend

is on friction and conflict.Associated Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, and Tao

Te Ching

Main menu

TaoismPhilosophical Taoism:

Wu Wei- The perfect way to live life, and reduce conflict and friction

Combines supreme activity and supreme relaxation

The conscious mind has to get out of the way of its own light.For one to perfect the wu wei lifestyle.A lifestyle above excess and tension.

As in Buddhism

Main menu

TaoismReligious Taoism:

Became a full fledge churchIts programs are active“The Taoist priesthood made cosmic life-

power available for ordinary villagers.”Their power was with magic, the harnessed

higher powers for human ends.Want to help transmit “Ch’i” to people that

can not get it on their own.

As in Buddhism

Main menu

TaoismVitalizing Taoism:

The programs are activeRelatively unorganizedTeaches what you should do.Is a self help programYou work on improving yourselfWant to increase the amounts of Tao or

“te” in their lifeThey do this through “ch’i”

Main menu

TaoismVitalizing Taoism:

They want to remove the barriers that slowed the flow of “ch’i”

The power of “ch’i”

“could shift Heaven and Earth”

Main menu

TaoismPhilosophical, Religious and Vitalizing

TaoismAll center on how to maximize their

Tao.They honor hunchbacks, crippels.

Because the tallest tree get the axe first.

Their temples blend in with the landscape. They do not stand out.

Unlike Buddhism and Confucianism

Main menu

TaoismPhilosophical, Religious and Vitalizing

TaoismThey all teach that people will be at their

best, when they are living in harmony with their surroundings.

They consider ceremonies pompous and downright silly.

They feel there is nothing to gain from punctiliousness, and the meticulous observance of propriety. Unlike Confucianism

Unlike Buddhism

Main menu

TaoismThe Taoist believe in opposites, and

that things in nature have a way of working themselves out.

The Taoist believe that people should be spontaneous and life their lives by someone else’s thoughts.

Lao Tzu connects the human to what transcends it.

Unlike ConfucianismUnlike Confucianism

Main MenuMain Menu