Comparing Confucianism and Islam - 2958 Words

Although Islam and Confucianism represent two totally different worldviews, they have similar characteristics, which provide a potential idea, that both can be from a common source. Mirza Tahir Ahmad, who was a Caliph in Ahmadiyya Muslim community, supported this idea in his book â€Å"Revelation, Nationality, Knowledge Truth†. He supports his idea saying, â€Å"All humans are God’s creation; it stands to reason that God not only guided people in the Middle East through Abrahamic prophets. He also guided other people through prophets like Confucius, Buddha and Zoroaster.† His claim is based on the existence of common themes between Islamic and Confucian teachings. Another supporting evidence is that God in one of the verses of Quran in which He†¦show more content†¦Moreover, The Quran and the Hadith of Prophet Mohammed are the main references to Islam. Confucianism is one of the main influential ideologies on the Chinese culture. The founder of this religion is Confucius; he was a Chinese teacher. He taught traditional disciplines at that time, and believed that he could change the order of the Chinese society. He has different principals in life. First, Li: â€Å"It is the medium within which to talk about the entire body of the mores, or more precisely, have the authentic tradition and reasonable conversations of society† . In other words, li is the social rituals between people and they are divided into different categorized relationships like father and son, filial piety, between brothers, husband and wife; Ruler and subjects, and between friends. The Second principal was Jen, which is humaneness; it describes the inner personality of a person and that people should practice respect to one another. Li and Jen are values that complete each other to create the superior man, according to the Confucius. Also, Confucius belie ved in the spirits but keeping them at a distance. There are Five Classics and the Four Books are regarded as a reference for Confucianism. Since the main idea of Islam is to believe in God, who created all human beings. Therefore, the first point that I should start to look into is the existence of God inShow MoreRelatedSocial Philosophy Of Confucianism1398 Words   |  6 PagesConfucianism was founded by the philosopher Confucius who was born in 551 in the Lu state of China (Biography.com Editors 2017). Confucius’s teachings focused on creating ethical models of family and public interactions and setting educational standards (Biography.com Editors 2017). Confucius died in 479 B.C., but Confucianism became the official imperial philosophy of China and its influence was significant during the Han, Tang and Song Dynasties (Biography.com Editors 2017). Confucius’s philosophyRead MoreTaoism And The Philosophy Of Tai Chi Chuan1482 Words   |  6 Pagesthe ancient philosophy. 3) http://www.uni-giessen.de/~gk1415/taoism.htm Eastern Philosophy- Taoism. Eastern Philosophy- Taoism. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015. This article compares Taoism to other eastern philosophies. This will be helpful in comparing Taoist beliefs and others eastern religions. These difference may hold valuable insight for how Taoism spread. 4) http://www.artic.edu/taoism/menu.php Taoism and the Arts of China (Art Institute of Chicago). Taoism and the Arts of China (Art InstituteRead MoreConfucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, And Platonism1045 Words   |  5 Pagesthis essay, I’ll be comparing and contrasting the four views of human nature that we have studied so far – Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Platonism – critically examining their similarities and differences. Also, I’ll be explaining which one I think provides the most plausible understanding of what we are. First, I will introduce each of the four views of human nature by defining them. Then, I will elaborate and thoroughly explain what each one claims that we are. Confucianism is a system of philosophicalRead MoreReflection On And Comparison Of Religions1598 Words   |  7 Pagesthroughout life –Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha. In regards to yielding to the gods, dharma focuses on the obligation of paying back the five debts of humankind as well as finding meaning in one’s life (Religious Chart, 2006). Additionally, the word â€Å"islam† itself is defined as submission, which coincides with the religion’s emphasis on surrendering to Allah, suggesting that one’s purpose in life is to follow the word of the deity (Religious Chart, 2006). Understanding how each religion defines humanRead MoreEast Asian Concept Of Human Nature1715 Words   |  7 PagesEast Asian Concept of human nature Introduction The Eastern Asia region is diverse. It include: Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, Taoism, Shinto and Christianity. Confucianism and Buddhism and Taoism have dominated most parts of the region with some states governing system being based on these religions. Chinese government, constitution and the administration policies have been based on the ethics of Confucian traditions and ethics as well as philosophy. Similar to the governing ethics in these regionRead MoreAn Interpretation Of Religion By David Nah865 Words   |  4 Pages Its founder, Siddhartha Gautama, discovered the reach of Enlightenment by the Four Noble Truths: to live means to suffer, the affliction causes passion, the ability to end affliction abiding the Noble Eightfold Path (â€Å"Four Noble Truths† 1). †¢ Islam: teachings of its prolific prophet Muhammad, the Qur’an and the strict obedience of the Five Pillars: testimony of faith, prayer, fasting, tithing, and pilgrimage of attending the Mecca. Entering Paradise with Allah is also determined how one’s goodRead MoreEssay about Religious Challenges to Constructing a Democratic Iraq3427 Words   |  14 PagesContents Abstract 3 The challenge of establishing a democracy in Iraq 3 History of Iraq 3 History of Islam 4 Tenets of Islam 6 History of democracy 7 Christianity and democracy 8 Tenets of democracy 9 Islamic thought vs. the keystones of a democracy 10 Can democracy take hold in an Islamic Iraq? 10 Conclusion 11 References 13 Abstract Islam has been Iraqs dominant religion for centuries. The religion plays an important part in every aspectRead MoreThe First Civilizations : The Rise Of Civilization1876 Words   |  8 Pagesinfluence of the empires brought large groups of diversified people together under one power; the first civilizations, however, were more like tribes than religions, as they were one ethnic group. There are many similarities and differences when comparing first and second wave civilizations, however, there are a few key differences like religion, the divine and militaristic leadership, and the assimilation of ideas and cultures; and a couple of similarities like the treatment of women and patriarch/monarchRead MoreWorld Religions Midterm 14746 Words   |  19 Pagesargument for the existence of God and one argument against the existence of God.   Explain each argument and show why it is potentially helpful or dangerous for the theist.   Then, explain which of these arguments you find mor e convincing, and why. 2.Comparing Religions: Compare the worldview of one of the monotheistic religions we have discussed with one other religion we have studied, mono or polytheistic.   Explain three specific points of similarity and three clear differences in each world view.   GivenRead MoreAsian Values And Cultural Diversity2375 Words   |  10 PagesThe term Asian Values has various definitions. Generally, the phrase alludes to influences from Confucianism in particular, filial piety or loyalty towards the family, corporation, and nation; the forgoing of personal freedom for the sake of society s stability and prosperity; the pursuit of academic and technological excellence; and, a strong work ethic together with thrift. Proponents of so-called Asian values, who tend to support Asian style authoritarian governments claim these values are