Paste your essayProcess of Spreading the Buddhism
Buddhism began to spread southwards from Northern India to Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Indo-China and other South East Asian countries. And also moved Northwards through Kashmir Afghanistan along the ‘Silk road’ into the Himalayan kingdoms (Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal), Tibet, Mongolia and other parts of Central Asia, and also into China, and later Korea and Japan.
This was a fortunate development because Buddhism had all but died out in India after the Muslim incursions of the eleventh Century CE. In more modern times, the spread of Communism has also virtually obliterated Buddhism from various other countries where it was once strongly established. There is now a resurgence of Buddhism in these countries.
Nowadays, however, Buddhism is attracting an increasing following in Europe and the Americas. In Asia, it is thriving in countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Korea and Japan
The Sangha which is in Theravada from southern Buddhist countries, the monks are easily recognized because they wear the characteristic orange robe, have their heads shaven, and go about barefoot. They are given a new name and the robe, and will live according to a code of 227 rules which name the Vinaya. A monk may decide to disrobe, cease being a monk, at any time.
Bhikkhus live a strict, simple life, study and work, with very short hours of sleep and only one main meal a day. They do not own money or any possessions. They help with the important task of teaching and assisting lay people, and conducting ceremonies.
In Mahayana (Northern) Buddhist countries there are two main branches, the Tibetan with monks wearing the characteristic maroon robe, and the Far Eastern Zen, which also has an unbroken line of nuns, where the robes are black or grey.
Basic beliefs of Buddhism
Core beliefs of Buddhism included is divided into a number of different traditions. These traditions share a common set of fundamental beliefs.
One fundamental belief of Buddhism is often referred to the concept that people are reborn after dying. Most individuals go through many cycles of birth, living, death and rebirth which beliefs of Buddhism.
Buddhist differentiates between the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation. In reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. In rebirth, a person does not necessarily return to Earth as the same entity ever again
After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. This is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering.
Process of Spreading the Taoism
Taoism spread mostly across China, Korea, Japan, and many other parts of Asia. It was the followers that helped spread Taoism. During the Tang dynasty (618-907), which saw the a growth and refinement in Chinese culture, Taoism was encouraged by the Royal House and there was a great development of Taoist monastic life. Taoism started to spread in the lower-class society ever since the Ming Dynasty (1368—1644), and Taoism continued to grow. During this time, people were lower-class people and had a vulgar sense of faith in religions. Taoism became a religion of many features and ideas with nothing concrete to explain the meaning of it.
Taoism never really diffused out of China, but spread throughout China. Taoists leaders believe people should come to them if they want to convert over to Taoism and therefore, you will not see any Taoist missionaries. Taoism is a belief based on philosophy and thought more than the worship of deities. Taoism was believed to be spread through the trade routes, such as the Silk Road.
The spread of Taoism lead to the growth, resulting in Taoism to evolved into priestly order and a hierarchy, temples and monasteries and a sacred canon. Taoism was a philosophical systems which were devoid of any cult elements.
Basic beliefs of Taoism
The ancient Chinese religion of Taoism is not entirely distinct from Confucianism or Chinese folk religion, for all Chinese religion and philosophy operate within the same ancient worldview.
Since earliest times, Chinese thought has been characterized by an awareness of man's close relationship with nature and the universe, a cyclical view of time and the universe, veneration or worship of ancestors, the idea of Heaven, and belief in the divinity of the sovereign.
Both Confucianism and Taoism operate within this worldview and incorporate many of its concepts. These two organized belief systems are best viewed as complementary rather than competitive. While Confucianism concerns itself with the social and moral side of life, Taoism focuses on the individual, spiritual life.
The articles in this section explain some of the beliefs that are especially fundamental to Taoism:
• Ch'i is a fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy and culture.
• Death and Afterlife
In Taoism, life and death are merely two aspects of reality, the unchanging Tao. Death is simply a transformation from being to non-being; from yang to yin.
• Immortals
The spiritual beings of primary importance in religious Taoism are the Immortals (Xian in Chinese).
• Purpose of Life
The focus of most religious Taoism is attaining immortality.
Process of Spreading the Confucianism
Confucianism is notable among world religions in that it was not spread via conquerors or crusades. Instead it was spread in a "soft power" way through significant Chinese influence at the time. It became a sort of state cult perpetuated by the Han Dynasty and eventually spread to Japan and Korea.
Confucianism is less of a religion and more of a philosophy. However, because of its somewhat religious following, it is often confused for a religion. Confucian ideals are ingrained in many Far East cultures, primarily Chinese. The founder of Confucianism was Kung Fu Tzu, but he was never considered to be a deity among his followers. Much of the philosophy of Confucianism revolves around relationships, specifically familial relationships. It directs ideal behaviors between the person on top and the person on the bottom. It generally indicated that the person in a superior position, such as a ruler, husband or older brother, must treat the person below them with benevolence and righteousness. On the other hand, the person in the lower position, such as a wife, subject or younger brothers, need to be respectful, loyal and obedient to the person in the higher position. These attitudes are specific to the Far East cultures.
Basic beliefs of Confucianism
Some of the essential beliefs of Confucianism are that people must maintain a sense of doing what is right, serve their superiors diligently and loyally, display benevolence towards others and that an ideal ruler should influence others by moral example. Confucianism holds to a humanistic outlook in which the secular is sacred. People are expected to perform and adhere to specific rules and rituals based on societal hierarchy in their interactions with each other.
Considered a philosophical and ethical system more than a religion, Confucianism places an emphasis on family and ethics rather than on salvation through a transcendent divine being. Humans are seen as being improvable, teachable and perfectible through self-cultivation and their communal and personal endeavors. The promotion of the virtues encompassed by the Wuchang, or Five Virtues, characterize Confucian ethics. These virtues are Ren (humaneness), Yi (righteousness or justice), Li (proper rite), Zhi (knowledge) and Xin (integrity). Confucianism views with contempt any person who fails to uphold the cardinal moral imperatives of Ren or Yi.
The classical Confucian teachings were key to the orthodox state ideologies of Chinese dynasties, particularly the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), when they received state support and were taught in upper-class society. Countries that were influenced by Confucian thought include China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Vietnam
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