Priests in ancient China were more than just religious leaders -- they were the doctors, lawyers and intellects of the times as well as the individuals who could deal with evil spirits and the occult. Some things that have come from this function are ideas like Feng Shui where the church helped communities become in sync with nature or the absolute.
Confucianism
Confucianism can be considered to be nothing more than a type of humanism. In other words, it is a philosophy that focuses on just that, human beings. By dictating human achievements, interests and social conduct rather than with abstract ideas like god or heaven, Confucius made life simple.
Confucianism entails that man is the center of the universe but he must also share the universe with his fellow man in a sound and peaceful manner. Basically, no man is an island even though each man may have the objective of reaching his own ultimate happiness. Thus, happiness can only be achieved through the concept of peace and harmony. This harmony would be achieved by abolishing war and all appreciating the idea of love for fellow men.
Confucianism is also based on the basis of the Dao. The Dao in fact is the way of Confucianism because the Dao represents the principles of all of life meaning that wisdom and harmony must be achieved by first being in sync with the universe or the absolute. Confucian believes provide a way of doing this in clear ideals. By being good social citizens, one can and will be in sync with the Dao.
Shintoism
Shinto is Japan's version of Taoism and at one time was the entire nation's state run religion. Shintoism involves worshipping nature and/or the absolute. In Japan the absolute is known as kami which are localized...
There is no doubt however that although there are many local entities, the ruing of truth in their individialized power all stems from the origins of the Tao. In fact, the word Shinto is a Japanese Kanji word that means shin or God and Tao which means the way. In other words, the word Shinto can be defined as the 'the way of the gods.' The Japanese often used many artistic forms of representation that were mixed with meditation and otherShinto practices and teachings.
Many Japanese ways of life such as the writings of Hagakare and the code of Bushido which for many cneturies dictated life throughout the nation have their roots in following the way. And although all of martial arts began in China, all eastern nations study some forms of martial arts because a strong mind and body are thought to be strong conduits for keeping the body in tune with nature and the absolute. Even when one is not fighting, the amrtial arts promote a self-discipline and work ethic that can only enhance soicety as a whole.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this research was based on providing insights into the Dao and how it helped to develop many eastern-based religions such as Daoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. By providing details into these religions, this report tried to provide a foundation so that a compare and contrast interpretation could be made by the reader. Thus, although they all developed fundamentally different beliefs and practices, these native Chinese religions all have their roots in the concept of the Dao and this report provided a focus on what specific practices each religion developed to help their followers interpret and understand the Dao as well as how ancient writers described and/or treated the Dao.
Dao
