Confucianism vs Buddhism vs Taoism - Realpolitik of the Three Teachings of Ancient China 

From now on, all religious rivalry will be settled by fanfiction competition!

Journey to West feels like a microcosm of the various competing ideas and religions. It's one of the reasons why I find it so interesting. 😄

Ancient China mixed Confucianism Buddhism and Taoism together. Modern China mixing Communism, Socialism and Capitalism together.

"If you stop and confine yourself to one place, you will develop prejudices" - Guo Xiang (郭象)

Confucianism is about involvement with society by being morally righteous, following rituals, and adhering to a strict bureaucracy in which a harmonious existence could he pursued. Buddhism is about following the dharma, a set of teachings given by Buddha who reached enlightenment and realised that life is suffering. In order to overcome suffering, practitioners can either become monks or lay-buddhists by following the eightfold path, the three gems, and practicing compassion and non attachment through meditation and mindfulness. It encourages a minimalist approach to life, and also one of seclusion, and kindness. Taoism from the Tao Te Ching is mainly about embracing contradictions, using non-literary methods to connect with nature and the way of nature, to flow and to engage in effortless action. To be able to take action within inaction. To live in a state of harmonious paradoxes, it is not about creating anything or forcing anything, but about integrating and being in a natural state. It is introspective, and peaceful.

I will never the forget the day we studied Taoism and spoke to this older man during a lecture and nothing is scarier and more comforting then the words he spoke to a class a 15-16 yr olds😂.. “do you remember what life like before you were born ?.. then why worry about about life will be like after “ “You are but the sand in the river of time and some grains might change the course but remember that the river will still flow “

"Laughing at the taoist essays" holy explicit titles, Batman

Confusion deals the relation between individuals and society, Buddhism deals the relation between individual and individual, Taoism deals the relation between individual and nature.

Being the latest religion to be officially recognized in Indonesia, I find the "three teachings as one" very fascinating because here in bali, i think the confucian religious community adapted it to ally themselves with the other 2 minority religions here which is hinduism & buddhism, and it's quite common to find confucian who also pray in buddhist temples or hindu shrines and vice versa.. in our confucian temple we'll sometimes see the word "tri-dharma" used for this phenomenon

One interesting thing about Chinese (or east Asian) Buddhism is their potrayal of the Boddhisatva Avalokitesvara. In South Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet and Mongolia he is depicted as a male Deity, while in Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese Avalokitesvara is depicted as a female Goddess (Guanyin/Kannon/Kanzeon)

A student starts with Confucianism because it is the only content of the official selection exam. After he enters middle age, he starts to realize sometimes Taoist effortlessness may not be wrong. When he reaches senior age, he repents his wrongdoings when he was a young cruel bureaucrat and leans to Buddhism.

I’m a converted Buddhist and I have read the _Dào Dé Jīng_ . I swear I have never met two religions that are so compatible before. I like to think that Buddhism is a colourful painting with many shades and lights, while Taoism is an ink picture depicting the same ideas. Both promote peace and love, while also having vivid descriptions of the Nothingness we all come from and emphasize the idea of detachment and letting go. Daoism is like Buddhism, but without the Dharma part and all the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas.

Another fascinating video. Did not know the Catholics ones tried to incorporate the story of Buddha into their doctrine, but I have heard that there were some Buddhist Sects that tried to incorporate Jesus into their doctrine by equating him to a legendary teacher from the West.

Watching Kublai Khan do that mustache twirling jolly laughter makes me hype for the eventual Yuan Dynasty video series

I think the merge of the three schools is a result of people choosing to believe whichever teaching is convenient for them. Roughly, Confucianism covers the relationship between individual and society, taoism covers individual growth and spiritual perfection, and Buddhism deals with emotional suffering and after life. In most of the history, common people were free to choose whichever religion/philosophy to believe. So people just take out a bit from each of the religion (not exclusive to these three) and use them to their own advantage. For example, a rulers may often choose Confucianism to demand obedience from the people while consulting taoism for immortality and Buddhism to secure an incarnation. Although in general Chinese people would admit they believe in all three teachings, if you examine what they exactly believe, one shall find a spectrum of faith. Then this drives the merge of all three religions while ignoring they may not be completely compatible.

In Vietnam, this phenomenon is called Tam giáo đồng nguyên 三教同源, or in Caodaism, Tam giáo quy nguyên

Other than the polytheistic nature, all these 3 beliefs/philosophy do share some form putting emphasis on being at peace with or understanding of the self and the living in the now. This could partially explain your amusing assessment of the current level of rivalry as fanfic competition.

Confucianism. Buddhism. Taoism. Long ago, the three teachings lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.

In the entertaining book "Te of Piglet" by Benjamin Hoff (who also wrote Tao of Pooh), it describe the scene where Confucius, Buddha and Lao Tze tasting the vinegar, Confucius has a sour look after tasting it reflecting his seriousness to life, Buddha has a bitter look, reflecting life is about suffering but Lao Tze is smiling as he reflect life should be enjoyed.

In other words, it's the human that adulterated spiritual teachings. Politics seems to be the main factor and priority for any religion development. Rather it's the common folks that is more pious.

In China: Buddhism vs Confucianism vs Taoism In the West: Christianity vs Neoplatonism vs Stoicism vs Epicureanism (Socratic Method Applied)

Favorite video so far! Can you make a similar version on Japan and how Buddhism and Shintoism coexisted(?)

The debate about the compatibility of christianity and confucianism was pretty significant. The Jesuits defended the compatibility while Dominicans were against. Back in the days the Dominicans won but over time the Jesuit position came to be acknowledged as more correct.

Love your videos as always! I read an interesting take on why Taoist & Buddhist were "persecuted" under different rule and it's very a different concept from the Western concept of religious persecutions which emphasize on doctrine purity and believers vs pagan. Like you mentioned, the core motivation was always who's a threat to their rule, the mandate of heaven. Chinese believe in balance, and one group should be balanced by another, neither can be stronger nor weaker. A wise ruler thinks about how the group can be used and controlled as a means to rule, because when a religion gets powerful, rebels will form a cult and threaten the throne. Another major reason is that monks and 道士 are exempted from taxes and labor. The imperial court even issues certificates to monks and 道士. When times are hard, more people ran away and become/pretend to be monks so that they no longer need to pay taxes or serve as soldiers. And monasteries, both Buddhist and Taoist become a place where these people flock to, often bringing valuables along. From a government perspective, these people ran from their tax obligations and national duty, stealing with them the tax money that should have been in court coffers. The country loses money, loses food production and conscripts and that's unacceptable. So begins the shut down of monasteries, confiscating their riches gathered, and arresting people who become monk to avoid taxes. And the one true religion of a great emperor has always been, Politics. PS. Monkhood certificate is also a tool used inadvertently as government bonds throughout history. There's a demand of people buying these certs for tax and duty exemptions, and the gov can supply these certs for immediate cash, sacrificing future tax and productions. An economic win for both parties! Except when it's unregulated and used as a tool of corruption and brought down dynasties. --> cool idea for future episodes!

Thank you! That was a wonderful overview.

Great channel! I really appreciate your work, thanks!

I remember visiting Crane Cry Mountain （鹤鸣山）when I was in Sichuan. My guide had to ask her grandfather about what it was and where it was. Sad that a foreigner knew more than she or her parents about the 5 Pecks of Rice School of Daoism (五斗米道).

Eye opening video, I learned alot! It's interesting as it would explain how Chinese Buddhism came to be kind of culturally "messy" with additional stories like GuanYu etc and how in Taoist Temples has Buddha/bodhisattvas in it. Unfortunately these has caused quite a bit of dilution of their essences for most lay people, and its practiced ritually without much understanding (I live in South East Asia and see it around me), unless individuals really makes the effort to dig deep and go back to their core teachings.

Excellent digress of 3 of many pillars of Chinese ethos - Cheers & TQ for sharing 🌏

Best explained video on Chinese three teachings, I have ever seen. Love from India 💙

Wow awesome summary and storytelling, thank you!

I kinda like 👍 ur channel bcuz the ads come at the beginning but doesn’t interrupt the flow of the story in between. Wish other channels did this too.

Avidly absorbed and gladly shared. Top end content and thanks for it.

Another amazing video! 😁

this stuff is so interesting to me. the history of chinese religions and their interactions is so different than western religions, where christianity, judaism, and local polytheistic traditions were much more antagonistic towards each other, with jews being oppressed and polytheistic traditions only being preserved in the ways they influenced Christianity

Thank you so much. This is so valuable.

Watching this fews weird as a Chinese, cause I don’t separate Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism as separate religion. In fact Confucianism seems more like a social and cultural teaching. Daoism build on philosophical teachings, expands and absorb folk religion practice. Buddhism adopt Chinese culture and evolved. As they are so socially and culturally intermingled, it’s difficult for Chinese to identify his religion when asked. It’s so common to see temple that hosts Daoist, Buddhist, Hindus, and local religions’ deities.

GREAT video!

Beautiful philosophies

Great channel!

very informative thank you

Very interesting

This was great!

I didn 't know in ancient times, people' troll' too in the ridiculing of other religions through books, debates. Learn something. Thanks.

"No Political Challenge" sounds like the American "separation of church and state" from the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution. I think it is a very good thing. It tends to result in freedom of religion for the people.

Interesting Video 👍

good video on the three

Thanks bro your the best

It makes you wonder what would have happened had Advaita Vedanta spread to China. Perhaps the Chinese would have have regarded it as yet another school of Buddhism. :)

Thank you

In India a guy Named sankaracharya destroyed Buddhism through advaita vedanta (non dualism or monism) and made it dissappeared.

Taoism and Buddhism is in same level, its taught about universe and enlightenment. Confucianism is just talk about well being of human, no related with enlightenment.

Great video! I actually just wrote an essay about Barlaam and Josaphat. I would definitely like to see the video expanding more on the conflicts between Taoists and Buddhists. Would also be very cool to see videos about minority religions in China such as Moism, Bon, Tengrism (& its relationship with shamanic faiths), and Islam. Thanks for the great content!

Guess the Mongolians had the right idea. Religions kept arguing against each other are useless but also harmless… that and its minority rule over a majority Han population… you know, keep your subjects arguing so they don’t start a rebellion. On the brighter side, it is through the collision of ideas that truths (however limited they may be) come out.

The Barlaam and Josaphat point is interesting. But the influence of the Saturnalia on Christmas is controversial at best, and most evidence points to no influence. Better examples of Christian cultural borrowings are priests' vestments taken from Roman jurist robes, and the "basilica" form of church being taken from Roman basilica style of building.

All 'ism' teach peace and love for humanity. It's a choice and belief to practise. The serenity of mind for those who can follow the teachings well.

Think you could do a video on Yin Yang, the Five Phases, and some of these other ideas?

Western concept of religion is completely different & alien to the East. The Eastern concept deals with more like philosophies or teachings which has been the case even in India & I think also in South East Asia. Very nicely made video on explaining the 3 main Chinese philosophies Buddhism, Confucianism & Taoism, definitely subscribing 😊👍. I hope these 3 keep dominating China instead of western ideas whether Christianity & Islam or Communism whose followers always oppose the existence of indigenous traditions. Communism under Mao's cultural revolution definitely caused a lot of harm but hopefully current leadership acts differently even though it seems not too likely.

It was a surprise to see you have been in Kaohsiung. Yeah is easy to get a bit cynical when you see the amount of money Fo Guang Shan get to build their huge monastery and museum/theme park and how it seems to be run as an business(at least at the surface). It doesn't help that their founder Hsing Yun is a polemical figure for getting involve in politics.

道教思想是无为，遵守自然规则，人为干扰的越少越好。儒家思想是尊卑有序，个人安守社会等级制度，什么人做什么事。佛陀教我们啥子事情看开点，一切都是假象，寻找到你的内在。你就能登出游戏解脱了。

I loved narrator's accent

10:00 And THAT'S the reason why the Ming are my favourite dynasty of imperial China.

Fantastic episode! Hope to see videos on mythological classics too

These philosophy's are the parents of zen or chan in china

It would have been a great, great blessing for humanity had the Tao masters/priests/scholars been able to mature the tradition, practices and philosophy over history. The basic concept of the Tao - that which can be spoken is not the eternal Tao - is very similar to a similar concept in the Vedas. The understanding of the universe as the manifestation of the Tao is probably the most beautiful spiritual tradition in the whole of human history.

Could you consider a video on Guan Yu in life and then in legacy/legend? I find it interesting that hes worshiped.

Religion for asians are complex, I identify as buddhist, pray to guanyin, pray to tian gong and other deities like in taoism and practice Confucius's values, so 3 in 1

My friend just walked in at 5:01 and shouted "Yo bro, is that a Nazi tattoo on Buddha's chest?". I"m dying laughing right now. Very educational video you got here. Great work!

Did they mesh together well I think the best answer is yes and no while theres not much that conflicts between all of them and many people are more then happy to identify with all three there's also some significant differences in terms of what get emphasized and this can be a source of conflict.

I really want to learn but my english listening is not really good. It will be helpful if there's subtitle :) but after all, big thanks for this video ❤️❤️❤️

I'm Daoist cuz I'm straight up chinese.

So basically Confucianism is like, 'lol, watch those peasants squabble'. lol

Saying that the legend of the Buddha was adopted "by the Catholics" as the story of Barlaam and Josaphat is an overreach. Librarian here, worked years in a Catholic theology library, first time ever I heard of that story. Catholic church comprises many countries and cultures, different, rivals, even historical enemies. Those legendary saints were a thing in a specific place and time period. If they were a "Catholic" thing, my library would have had something about them more than one copy of the Golden Legend, which no one requested in the years I worked there. For the ones interested in the development of how that Buddhist story ended up in Catholic outskirts: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barlaam_and_Josaphat

Why does everyone ignore Mohism? 😭

Yay I’m one of the first and just in time for breakfast ☺️

Mentally moving into eastern spirituality ❤

The founders are religious people, but they did not create religion. Their followers created religions, but are not religious.

Dang, now I'm curious about Manichaeism. Some claim it to be the first global religion.

Today I learned: Quintin tried to convey the same precarious relationship between Taoism and Buddhism in KB2

Oh god I would've hated the 'small talk' school of thought. It would've been so awkward. 😀

Based shamanist Kirati.

I love it! One thing though, Chinese Folk Religion is distinct yet very much still alive. Daoism and Buddhism definitely borrow from it frequently and occasionally battle with it. For example, why burn joss money for spirits if they're only recycled back into the Dao? Why burn joss money for them if they're going to be reincarnated? Chinese Folk Religion just says, nah... we need to burn this joss smartphone, corvette, money and mansion so that our ancestors live on in the heaven realm living the good life. If they were bad then we can pay King Yan to let them out of hell.

The Chinese “syncretised” the 3 philosophies, not “synthesised”.

11:37 Well well, except some,any Hindu I know don't consider Jesus as avatar of Vishnu. Buddha being Avatar of Vishnu is upto person, there is no specific sect. Nezha I believe looks like Hindu God Kartik to me. Like both almost 7 years old when they defeated bigshots. Both carry spears, both are associated with fire also.

The thing is that there are no Buddhist gods. Deities are not gods, the latter are involved in the wheel of Samsara. Thus, there is no opposition to the existence of gods. I think a more or less balanced example of this could be Jin Yong's works. I think it does tend towards criticizing Confucianism the most, however it both depicts people that in name could be Buddhist or Taoist, but that are evil. While perhaps his most beloved hero Yang Guo and his love Xiaolongnu could be a perfect example of Vajrayana achievements (with consort and all)

I just got an ad for Raid. Not Raid: Shadow Legends, Raid, the bug killing spray.

儒家是人与人的思想 道家是人与自然的思想 释家是人与自己的思想

If you were asked to pin down the essential, hard core of daoism in western terms, would you say that it is an ontology or epistemology? It seems like you can describe daoism as an ontological endeavor, but is it really a study of reality when it just takes "existence" as a given and spends more time generating knowledge about it and rearranging the knowledge to make them more meaningful to humans? It doesn't seem very concerned with "what existence" is or "whether something exists" like western ontology.

I am a Roman Catholic who's been looking for a better politic then what we currently "enjoy" - in the United States or China. There are a couple of things in Confucius's philosophy that I don't agree with, but on the whole and at the core I think I would prefer it. (But perhaps not applied the way the Xin Emperor attempted. Weng Mang, wasn't it?)

Proud Taoist ❤️

Superstition is human nature. Even if Buddha isn’t a fan, many monks practice a lot of magic, some say black magic, in thailand and make big money from it. There was a major amulet craze when u could make millions if u r a skilled and quick collector. It was our proto crypto

11:38 nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

budhist is emphasize of individuals escaping karmic forces.benfits of this will flow to some extent to the greater masses ,and cultures, adoptic aspects of it

Where are tou from?? What's with your accent ? I am just curious

Hey, some Theravada wat here also has coffeeshop and tourist traps 🥴

实际上道教所追求的东西是自然界的规则。可以将他们理解为古代的物理学家。他们研究自然的规则并且学会适应这些规则。这也是道教为什么提出“无为”的原因，因为对于他们来说只要顺应规则就能成功。

❤️❤️❤️❤️

I love if you make how budhism develop from china like chan to zen in japan and korea

A Taoist, A Confucianist and A Buddhist, were have a meeting to discuss Enlightenment that is Wu Wei Oneness with the TAO.....Silence prevailed..... ☺️

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