A Comparison of Confucianism and Buddhism

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A Comparison of Confucianism and Buddhism
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Lesson Objectives
Compare and Contrast the central beliefs of
Confucianism and Buddhism Examine the geographic
regions associated with both religions Compare
these two belief structures to American Beliefs
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Confucianism and Buddhism both originate from Asia
Confucianism
Buddhism
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Shakyas region of Nepal The birthplace of
Buddhism
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Buddhism
"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would
be expected in a cosmic religion for the future
it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and
theology it covers both the natural spiritual,
and it is based on a religious sense aspiring
from the experience of all things, natural and
spiritual, as a meaningful unity" Albert Einstein
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Buddhism
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama in 535 BCE
His teachings and the oral traditions of the
faith were collected a book, called the
Tripitaka.
Established Four Noble Truths
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The Four Noble Truths
1. Suffering exists
2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires
3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desires
cease
4. Freedom from suffering is possible by
practicing the eightfold path
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The Eightfold Path

• There are three qualities associated with the
  Eightfold path
• Panna (Wisdom)
• Sila (Morality)
• Samadhi (Meditation)

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The Eightfold Path
Panna (Wisdom) Right View Right Thought Sila
(Morality) Right Speech Right
Action Right Livelihood Samadhi
(Meditation) Right Effort Right
Mindfulness Right Contemplation
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Nirvana
Buddhists believe in a state called Nirvana, the
condition of serenity of spirit, where all
cravings, strife, and pain have been overcome,
giving way to a merging of the spirit with
eternal harmony.
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Confucianism
Based on the teachings of Kung-Fu-Tzu He lived
from 551-479 BCE Lived in Shantung Province of
Northeast China
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Six Pilars of Confucianism

• Li
• Hsiao
• Yi
• Xin
• Jen
• Chung

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Activity
The class will separate into groups of
three. Using the four noble truths, the eightfold
path, and the six pilars of Confucianism, I want
you to look for examples of these teachings in
American Society. Try to list at least one
example per Confucianism and Buddhism This will
be due at the end of class