Taoism And Buddhism Essay, Research Paper

Taoism and Buddhism were born in the same century. Siddhartha reached

enlightenment in about 535 B.C. and Lao Tzu? s instructions were recorded

around 500 B.C. There are many similarities in the rudimentss of these two

faiths. Some of the similarities can be seen clearly when analyzing the three

significance of Tao. The first definition of Tao is “ the manner of ultimate

world. ” This means that Tao can non be percieved, defined, talked about,

or idea of. It is excessively large a construct for worlds to grok. As in the first

line of the Tao Te Ching ( the Taoist text intending The Way and Its Power ) :

“ The Tao that can be spoken is non the true Tao. ” This is really similar

to the Buddhist thought of Nirvana or Enlightenment. Nirvana can non be understood

by one who has non attained it. Even when 1 has reached Nirvana, he can non

depict it to others, but merely help others to make it every bit good. In its 2nd

sense, Tao means “ the manner of the existence. ” Tao is something that goes

through all existences, all of the Earth. It is everyplace, all the clip. It is

something that flows through everything. This fluxing thought links with the thought

in Buddhism that Nirvana can be reached by anyone, every bit long as one is devoted

plenty and has lost all fond regards. Third, one life must be a certain manner to

work with the Tao: Tao besides refers to “ the manner of human life ” as it

“ meshes ” with the cosmopolitan Tao in its 2nd sense. This cardinal

thought of Taoism has much to make with the “ position of integrity of adult male with Heaven

and Earth

, that is, with Nature. ” Buddhists besides believe that one must populate

in a certain harmoniousness with nature and the existence to make Nirvana, or, as it is

in Taoism, be at one with the Tao. Another critical construct of Taoism is that of

the wu-wei which is to accomplish action through minimum action or inactivity. Action

is clash and inactivity is pure effectivity in Taoism. This construct compares

with Buddhist speculation in which 1 remains absolutely still and uses merely

one? s head. In this province, one may make enlightenment. Besides, in the Tao Te

Ching ( 13 ) an thought near to the Buddhist thought of reincarnation is illustrated:

Attain to the end of absolute emptiness, maintain to the province of perfect peace.

All things come into being, And thence we see them return. ? Earth goes

back to its beginning? ? He who knows infinity is called enlightened. He who

does non cognize infinity is running blindly into wretchednesss? ” Buddhist

reincarnation is the construct that 1 must travel through many rhythms of birth,

life, and decease. After many such rhythms, if a individual releases their fond regard

to want and the ego, he can achieve Nirvana. In the 3rd and 4th lines of

the Taoist transition above, the basic thought of Buddhist reincarnation is explained.

In the thought of reincarnation lies the belief that a individual will be born and

reborn until he or she reaches Nirvana. Taoists besides believe in that basic thought:

“ The Tao surrounds everyone and hence everyone must listen to happen

enlightenment. ” As you can see, although Taoism is more of a doctrine and

lupus erythematosus of a faith as Buddhism is, there are many similarities.