User:Lunarmoon13/Buddhism and Eastern religions

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Buddhism has interacted with several Eastern religions such as Taoism, Shinto and Bon since it spread from the Indian subcontinent during the 2nd century AD.

Taoism[edit]

The relationships between Taoism and Buddhism are complex, as they influenced each other in many ways while often competing for influence. Taoism in its early form was a mixture of early mythology, folk religion, and Taoist philosophy. The arrival of Buddhism forced Taoism to renew and restructure itself into a more organized religion, while addressing similar existential questions raised by Buddhism. Early Buddhism was sometimes seen as a kind of foreign relative of Taoism and its scriptures were often translated into Chinese with Taoist vocabulary. Chan Buddhism in particular holds many beliefs in common with philosophical Taoism.

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Buddhism's rich history spans over 2,500 years, originating from the Indian subcontinent in the 2nd century AD.^[1] Teachings of the Buddha were introduced over time, as a response to brahmanical teachings.^[1] Buddhism relies on the continual analysis of the self, rather than being defined by a ritualistic system, or singular set of beliefs.^[2] The intersections of Buddhism with other Eastern religions, such as Taoism, Shinto, Hinduism, and Bon illustrate the interconnected ideologies that interplay along the path of enlightenment. Buddhism and eastern religions tend to share the world-view that all sentient beings are subject to a cycle of rebirth that has no clear end.^[1]

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Taoism[edit]

The ideologies and traditions of Taoism have adapted over time in response to Buddhist practices. Taoist philosophy stems from a mixture of early mythology and folk religious practices. The Tao ideology dates back to the seventh century BC, existing long before the Taoists formed into an organized religious collective. Both Taoism and Buddhism have historically aspired to hold domineering influence over the Indian subcontinent. While Buddhism provides an elaborate cosmology and a detailed theory about the afterlife, Taoism meets other needs.

The principle focus of Taoism is the path of Tao, an all encompassing, formless power, that brings all things together in an eternal cycle. The Tao provides followers a path to reach understanding of one's individual place within the world. The relationship between Taoism and Buddhism is complexly intertwined. The arrival of Buddhism forced Taoism to restructure into a more organized religion, in response to the existential questions that Buddhism raised. Competition between Buddhism and Taoism is said to have inspired beneficial advancements in the field of Chinese medicine.

Early Buddhism was originally not clearly defined by Taoism; some scriptures were mistranslated in Chinese using incorrect Taoist vocabulary, which caused discrepancies between various accounts. There is an ideological crossover found between Buddhist and Taoist systems of influence. Chan Buddhism in particular holds many beliefs in common with the philosophy of Taoism.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Gethin, Rupert (1998-07-16). The Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-289223-2.
^ Harvey, Peter (2012-11-22). An Introduction to Buddhism. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-85942-4.

[:0-1] Gethin, Rupert (1998-07-16). The Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-289223-2.

[2] Harvey, Peter (2012-11-22). An Introduction to Buddhism. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-85942-4.

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