Download East and Southeast Asia Religion Comparison Chart

East and Southeast Asia Religion/Philosophy Comparison
Chart
Buddhism
Confucianism
Taoism
Religion
Philosophy (moral well-being)
Philosophy (nature and the world
Religion or Philosophy
outside ourselves)
Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Confucius
Lao Tsu
Important
Dalai Lama
Person/Prophet
Dharmachakra(Wheel of Life)
Yin-Yang
Yin-Yang
Symbol
Lotus Flower
Dalai Lama is the closest link to the
Leadership should come through
Everything has a life force
spiritual realm
example not force
Want to align oneself with the
Karma
People achieve peace by doing good
spiritual and cosmic forces
Reincarnation
deeds (being kind to one another)
Body ties to the 5 earthly elements:
Meditations
fire, earth, water, wood, metal
Beliefs
Ultimate goal is to reach
Balance of life forces
enlightenment(nirvana)
Polytheism
Rules to follow/
important teachings
Importance in Society
Darma (rules)
Truth is found along the Middle Path
Four Noble Truths: Metta
Karuna
Mudita
Upekkha
Noble Eightfold Path: views, aspirations,
speech, conduct, livelihood, effort,
mindfulness, meditation
Defines both the religious and political
climate of Tibet.
Moral guidelines to restore harmony
Happiness going with “the flow”
Doing by not doing
Humans are part of nature, not the
masters of it
Tao Te Ching
Chinese base their ethical and
philosophical system
Best government was one that did
the least
Offered directions to people about
how to live
Might be considered a state religion
because of the government promotion
of Confucian ideas