Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism: Similarities and Differences

Similiraties

Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism are considered as East Asian religions. That is, all of them have their palpable impact in the region called East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau).

Basically, these three religions underscore living in harmony with nature and fellow humans. They basically teach fillial piety and righteousness as key values that we should possess.

The predominant similarity or relation among Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism is how they have interweaved with the East Asian cultures, which also explains their continued existence in the region.

This is a a testament to their germaneness and their role in the cultures of the nations where they survive.

Differences

Confucianism is said to be founded by Confucius; Taoism was founded by Lao Zi (or Lao Tzu); while Shintoism has no clear founder.

Shintoism is understandably predominant in Japan; Taoism is popular in China; while Confucianism is important to both China and Korea. Taiwan has Taoism as its main tradition.

Shintoism remains fairly pure and resilient in Japan, its homeland. In Singapore, Shinto is relatively non-existent despite a sizeable Japanese community.

Taoism and Confucianism did not remain exclusive in China and they have assumed various forms in outside its homeland, such as in Taiwan, Macau, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.

In Singapore, Taoism is solid as one of the government recognized faiths, and Confucianism, as well, has propagated in many communities in the land … continue reading

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