Buddhism and Daoism, Central Beliefs
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You are here: Buddhists All Answers Answers by Expert: Ask Experts Volunteer Justin Coleman Expertise I welcome questions concerning Buddhism (including Zen) and Taoism (primarily Lao-Tzuan), and I may be able to address some comparative questions concerning Christianity. In addition, I can answer some questions that pertain directly to Chinese Taoist texts, which have been a focus of mine for years. Experience Experience: I have studied comparative world religion, with a focus on Buddhism and Taoism, for about 6 years now. I have spent a good deal of time reading original texts and modern commentary and explorations on Buddhism of India, China, and Japan, Zen (Ch'an) of China and Japan, and Taoism. Although not fluent in written Chinese, I have delved into many Chinese Taoist texts and can offer an understanding of some aspects of Mandarin, with special focus on Taoist literature. Education/Credentials: My highest level of academic completion lies in a high school diploma. I have attended some college but do not have a degree. My ventures have been of a more autodidactic nature than anything else. Primarily, I study these religions because I enjoy Home Homework Help Buddhism Buddhists Buddhism and Daoism Buddhism and Daoism Expert: Justin Coleman - 11/29/2006 Question What are the central beliefs of Buddhism and is there one God that they worship? The other question is about Daoism and that is,is there a God that they worship and does this religion have any rituals and practices? Thank you Answer Thanks for the question, Katrina. We'll begin with your first question. The central beliefs of Buddhism are summed up well by a series of teachings known as the Four Noble Truths. Since this question tends to be asked often, I will refer you to the supplemental FAQ that I have written based upon previous questions here at AllExperts. To go directly an explanation of the Four Noble Truths, paste the following address into your web browser: http://buddhismreference.docspages.com/#WhatAreFNT Buddhists do not worship a God, although their reverence of the Buddha might sometimes make that difficult to discern. In Buddhism, the Buddha is not a god. The Buddha is "the awakened one", the man that attained Nirvana and began to point out the way to Nirvana for all sentient beings. This makes him, needless to say, a major figure in Buddhism...after all, he established Buddhism in the first place some 2500 years ago. For that reason, he is held in high regard by Buddhists. However, the reason that he is not considered a god or a deity is because his attaining of Nirvana in no way required him to be anything more or less than human. It was the Chinese and Japanese that would eventually emphasize the "ordinariness" of spiritual experience in Buddhism. To Buddhism, in general, the Buddha is a central figure precisely because he was a man. His attainment of Nirvana, and his succeeding efforts in pointing out the way for others, is important for Buddhists because he served as the first example that mankind can attain Nirvana. In his book, "The Method of Zen", author Eugene Herrigel discusses the role of the Master in Zen Buddhism. The Master served, essentially, as a role model for the students. Not in the sense that the students were expected to act and "be like" the Masters, but rather in the sense that the Master served as the "living, breathing" proof of Zen experience. A student had to put his full trust into the discernment of the Master, who would in turn guide students toward the way through practice and teaching. Similarly, it for this reason that the Buddha is revered. He is, in a sense, the "first Master". However, this statement should be taken with a grain of salt. An English philosopher once visited a Zen Master. While they were talking, the Zen Master expressed interest in the philosopher's insights into Buddhism. "You would make an excellent student of Zen," the Master said," You should come study with me." The philosopher returned with a question," Who was the Buddha's teacher?" In other words, if a teacher is necessary to attain Nirvana, then the Buddha is nothing short of a fraud! So, to recap, the Buddha, historically, was a man...not a god or deity. Second, the achievement for which he is renowned, attaining Nirvana, is only noteworthy because it is available to all sentient beings...not just the historical Buddha, but all mankind that come after him. Now, on to your next question. Is there a God in Taoism? The answer, once again, is no. The centerpiece of what is usually termed Taoism (since there are many different traditions that are termed 'Taoist') is the 'Tao'. It is very difficult to determine exactly what Tao is. In fact, it was this very question that puzzled many students in ancient times. It is sometimes easier to describe what the Tao isn't than to try to pin down exactly what it is. To begin with, the Tao is not a deity. That is, the Tao does not control man anymore than man controls the Tao. In fact, speaking in terms of control is somewhat inappropriate. The Tao isn't so much a 'governing' aspect of the Universe, as one might think of the Christian God. Instead, the Tao is the course of nature, the 'natural flow', if you will. The Tao is often compared with water, which flows effortlessly because it is without definite form. It overcomes obstacles in it's path by 'letting' gravity guide it's way, and it's flexibility and adaptability of form harness this effortless power of nature. Taoism is not about controlling nature, but rather letting the Tao, the course of nature, permeate all of one's being. To clarify, philosopher Alan Watts described the Tao by comparing it to a river. There are three men in the river, all being carried along at the same pace. One of the men does not realize he is being carried along on the flow of the river, and he is trying to swim against the current even though the river carries him ahead just the same. This is exemplary of the man that attempts to go against the Tao, or perhaps just knows nothing of it (but 'knowing' the Tao is not required for one to act in accordance with Tao). He struggles against the natural grain, and just as it is when sawing wood against the grain, the result is frustrating and messy. The other man in the river realizes that it is no use to kick and struggle against the river. He saves himself a whole lot of headaches. The third man is the man that 'has the Tao' or 'found the Tao'. Like the second man, he realizes that fighting the flow of the water is futile, but he takes it one step further. He has learned that although he can't fight the river, he can guide himself in the course of the stream. Furthermore, he can do this without having to call upon himself for effort. The power of the river is behind everything he does. The man that has grasped the Tao is just like this. Justin Choo Joe McSorley Alex Wilding Anandapanyo Bhikkhu John Willemsens aka Advayavadananda Stuart Resnick Fahfuen2007 Laurie McLaughlin Browse Answers: About Us Tell Friends How to Ask How to Volunteer FAQ Tech Support Top Experts Expert Login Buddhists: Buddhism and Daoism, central beliefs of buddhism, beliefs o... 1 of 2 http://en.allexperts.com/q/Buddhists-948/Buddhism-Daoism.htm
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Central Beliefs in Buddhism and Daoism to help people get a grasp over the core concept of these two ancient traditions
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Buddhists
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Ask ExpertsVolunteer
Justin Coleman
Expertise
I welcome questionsconcerning Buddhism(including Zen) and Taoism(primarily Lao-Tzuan), and Imay be able to address somecomparative questionsconcerning Christianity. Inaddition, I can answer somequestions that pertaindirectly to Chinese Taoisttexts, which have been afocus of mine for years.
Experience
Experience:
I have studiedcomparative world religion,with a focus on Buddhismand Taoism, for about 6years now. I have spent agood deal of time readingoriginal texts and moderncommentary andexplorations on Buddhism ofIndia, China, and Japan, Zen(Ch'an) of China and Japan,and Taoism. Although notfluent in written Chinese, Ihave delved into manyChinese Taoist texts and canoffer an understanding ofsome aspects of Mandarin,with special focus on Taoistliterature.
Education/Credentials:
My highest level ofacademic completion lies in ahigh school diploma. I haveattended some college butdo not have a degree. Myventures have been of amore autodidactic naturethan anything else. Primarily, I study thesereligions because I enjoy
Home Homework Help Buddhism Buddhists Buddhism and Daoism
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Buddhism and Daoism
Expert: Justin Coleman - 11/29/2006
QuestionWhat are the central beliefs of Buddhism and is there one God that they worship? The other question is about Daoismand that is,is there a God that they worship and does this religion have any rituals and practices?
Thank you
AnswerThanks for the question, Katrina.
We'll begin with your first question. The central beliefs of Buddhism are summed up well by a series of teachingsknown as the Four Noble Truths. Since this question tends to be asked often, I will refer you to the supplemental FAQthat I have written based upon previous questions here at AllExperts. To go directly an explanation of the Four NobleTruths, paste the following address into your web browser:
http://buddhismreference.docspages.com/#WhatAreFNT
Buddhists do not worship a God, although their reverence of the Buddha might sometimes make that difficult todiscern. In Buddhism, the Buddha is not a god. The Buddha is "the awakened one", the man that attained Nirvana andbegan to point out the way to Nirvana for all sentient beings. This makes him, needless to say, a major figure inBuddhism...after all, he established Buddhism in the first place some 2500 years ago. For that reason, he is held inhigh regard by Buddhists. However, the reason that he is not considered a god or a deity is because his attaining ofNirvana in no way required him to be anything more or less than human. It was the Chinese and Japanese that wouldeventually emphasize the "ordinariness" of spiritual experience in Buddhism. To Buddhism, in general, the Buddha is acentral figure precisely because he was a man. His attainment of Nirvana, and his succeeding efforts in pointing outthe way for others, is important for Buddhists because he served as the first example that mankind can attain Nirvana. In his book, "The Method of Zen", author Eugene Herrigel discusses the role of the Master in Zen Buddhism. TheMaster served, essentially, as a role model for the students. Not in the sense that the students were expected to actand "be like" the Masters, but rather in the sense that the Master served as the "living, breathing" proof of Zenexperience. A student had to put his full trust into the discernment of the Master, who would in turn guide studentstoward the way through practice and teaching. Similarly, it for this reason that the Buddha is revered. He is, in asense, the "first Master". However, this statement should be taken with a grain of salt.
An English philosopher once visited a Zen Master. While they were talking, the Zen Master expressed interest in thephilosopher's insights into Buddhism. "You would make an excellent student of Zen," the Master said," You shouldcome study with me." The philosopher returned with a question," Who was the Buddha's teacher?" In other words, ifa teacher is necessary to attain Nirvana, then the Buddha is nothing short of a fraud!
So, to recap, the Buddha, historically, was a man...not a god or deity. Second, the achievement for which he isrenowned, attaining Nirvana, is only noteworthy because it is available to all sentient beings...not just the historicalBuddha, but all mankind that come after him.
Now, on to your next question. Is there a God in Taoism? The answer, once again, is no. The centerpiece of what isusually termed Taoism (since there are many different traditions that are termed 'Taoist') is the 'Tao'. It is verydifficult to determine exactly what Tao is. In fact, it was this very question that puzzled many students in ancienttimes. It is sometimes easier to describe what the Tao isn't than to try to pin down exactly what it is.
To begin with, the Tao is not a deity. That is, the Tao does not control man anymore than man controls the Tao. Infact, speaking in terms of control is somewhat inappropriate. The Tao isn't so much a 'governing' aspect of theUniverse, as one might think of the Christian God. Instead, the Tao is the course of nature, the 'natural flow', if youwill. The Tao is often compared with water, which flows effortlessly because it is without definite form. It overcomesobstacles in it's path by 'letting' gravity guide it's way, and it's flexibility and adaptability of form harness this effortlesspower of nature. Taoism is not about controlling nature, but rather letting the Tao, the course of nature, permeate allof one's being.
To clarify, philosopher Alan Watts described the Tao by comparing it to a river. There are three men in the river, allbeing carried along at the same pace. One of the men does not realize he is being carried along on the flow of theriver, and he is trying to swim against the current even though the river carries him ahead just the same. This isexemplary of the man that attempts to go against the Tao, or perhaps just knows nothing of it (but 'knowing' the Taois not required for one to act in accordance with Tao). He struggles against the natural grain, and just as it is whensawing wood against the grain, the result is frustrating and messy. The other man in the river realizes that it is no useto kick and struggle against the river. He saves himself a whole lot of headaches. The third man is the man that 'hasthe Tao' or 'found the Tao'. Like the second man, he realizes that fighting the flow of the water is futile, but he takes itone step further. He has learned that although he can't fight the river, he can guide himself in the course of thestream. Furthermore, he can do this without having to call upon himself for effort. The power of the river is behindeverything he does. The man that has grasped the Tao is just like this.
Justin ChooJoe McSorleyAlex WildingAnandapanyo BhikkhuJohn Willemsens akaAdvayavadanandaStuart ResnickFahfuen2007Laurie McLaughlin
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them immensely. Although Ido practice meditation andstudy Buddhism, I wouldn'tcall myself a Buddhist. Iwould say that Buddhismand Taoism have had aprofound impact on my life,though. So, although myinvolvement with thesereligions should not beconsidered 'devotional', Ihave studied manyindividuals that were verymuch directly involved inthese religions. In theanswers I provide, I combinemy non-devotional butintimate experiences inlearning of these religionswith the thought expoundedby spokespeople,commentators, and criticsfrom ancient times to thepresent day. For this reasonespecially, I tend to bethorough in answeringquestions and a paragraphsimply won't suffice. Thus, Iwould ask that inquiries belimited to TWO or THREEessential questions. I simplycannot provide the length ofanswers that I do when thereare upwards of five or morequestions in one inquiry thatall call for more than just afew concise words to conveya good understanding.
So, the Tao is basically the essential, inimitable course of nature. However, this brings us to one more point. Sometimes, Taoism is confused with pantheism. That is, it is believed that Taoists see God as all of nature. This isnot really the case, though. In pantheism, a certain division is observed between man and nature. Nature is seem asthe deity, itself. Taoism, however, does not acknowledge that the Tao is necessarily anything different than man. It issaid, after all, that "the Tao is that from which nothing can depart, that which can depart is not the Tao." The Tao isavailable to all, and it is limitless and inexhaustible for the very reason that man is not different than Tao. The naturalflow that is Tao is the same natural flow of the body and mind in all their varied and complex functions. Likepantheists, the Taoists paid close attention to nature. Unlike pantheists, the Taoists had no reason to believe that thetao that could be observed was not flowing through them just the same. For that reason, there was no need toworship the Tao...it was not separate from one's self. Worshipping it would only reinforce the deluded notion that ithad to be 'gained' by effort. The Tao Te Ching reads," Everyday, the wise man gains. Everyday, the man of Taoloses." The Tao is something that we all possess in some way, but not many of us know it, and even fewer of us canharness and exemplify that natural harmony.
As for rituals and practices, Taoism is a highly varied field. There are numerous variations of Taoism ranging fromwhat is sometimes called 'philosophical' Taoism to alchemy to ritualized religions. Taoism runs the gamut, really,which makes the question of their rituals a bit too vague to cover.
If you have any further questions, or maybe some more specific follow-ups on Taoism, feel free to ask. Thanks againfor the question...hope I could help.
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