A Brief History
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Buddhism
Buddha
The religion Buddhism was founded in sixth century BCE, by a man named Siddharta Gautama (born 563 BCE), who would later be named the Buddha. He gave up all pleasures (like lust, happiness and taste) and persued enlightenment. He practised and taught Buddhism, and is now known as a sort of God.
Buddhism
The central ideas of Buddhism is that suffering is caused by delight and want, and that people have multiple lives (reincarnation). Each life that a person has, they should try to live simpler and simpler, until reaching nirvana (a heaven like place). Nirvana is the state of bliss, or free from any cares in the world. At this point, the reincarnation stops.
Comparison To Christianity
Similar to Christianity, Buddhism has and end goal, or a place of bliss (Buddhism = Nirvana, Christianity = Heaven). The two also have restrictions on things that, although to some may be fun, are sinful (though not as extreme with Christianity). Both Buddhism and Christianity also have a god-like figure who walked the earth as a mortal man (Jesus and Buddha).
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Confucianism
Confucius
Confucius (551-479 BCE) was a Chinese teacher, politician and philospher in the mid-late 16th Century BCE. He taught that rulers should lead by example and family duty. One of his closest students would later share his teachings to the later ages and would create a religion named after its inspiration, Confucianism.
Confucianism
Confucianisms' main focuses are about holding yourself to be respectful and that everyone is equal. For example, one of the main principles of Confucianism is that rulers should hold themselves highly and be a role model. Another is that there should be respect for elders, or the ones that are above you. Combining those two values together showes that Confucius regarded that rulers, the elders and the children all with respect and dignity.
Comparison to Christianity
Confucianism teaches respect and kindess to everyone, similar to Christianity. It teaches that everyone, no matter race, gender or views, is an equal human being. Although Confucius didn't believe in religon, he thought like a religious man, an all accepting, all giving person.
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Taoism/Daoism
Laozi
Laozi (5th/6th Century BC {unknown} - 531 BC) was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He was both the founder and deity to a religion later known as Taoism. There is a little bit of mystery surrounding what time he lived in China, as some sources say that he lived around to the time of Confucius (6th Century BC), whereas others say he lived during the Warring States period (5th/4th Century BC).
Taoism
One of the many teachings of Taoism is naturalism (Tao and Te), or that everything is apart of nature, and all works with one another. A famous symbol from Taoism is the Ying and Yan symbol (shown on the right). The meaning of this symbol is that opposites complement each other ( like ligthness and darkness, what the symbol shows). Taoists believe in peace and simplicity (although many tombs would be adourned with jewlery and gold).
