A Tad Bit ‘Bout Life

Around 2,500 years ago, in India and China, two remarkably similar yet completely different men wandered around, teaching new concepts. In India, Siddhartha Gautama, known as “the Buddha” or “teacher,” taught that life was miserable and that as a human, one’s goal was to be free from the wheel of life. This was only possible through perfect understanding and wisdom. A few thousand miles away, a prudent man named Confucius wandered around China, teaching those that would listen to respect each other as well as those above and below them in rank. Though seemingly unrelated, Confucianism and Buddhism share many similarities, such as a general nonchalance towards the gods, as well as a common desire to acquire wisdom. They do, though, differ on a fundamental point; Buddhists are spiritual, while Confucians are entirely secular.

            Buddhists and Confucians are parallel in several ways. First, as mentioned before, they both share indifference for the gods. Buddha taught his followers that it was futile to worship the gods, as they only kept you on the wheel of life. Rather, as a Buddhist, one should focus on reaching Nirvana, or off the wheel of life. Confucius, too, thought that the gods were irrelevant. Confucianism, as he taught it, was simply a philosophy, a way of life. A religion could complement Confucianism. Confucius rejected spiritual mysteries, though he never outright discredited the gods. Secondly, Buddhism and Confucianism consider wisdom a fundamental part of life. To Buddhists, wisdom characterizes itself in many ways, including perfect understanding and enlightenment. Buddhists devote much of their lives to find enlightenment and understanding, using aids such as meditation and reflection. Similarly, Confucians greatly value the elderly, as they are considered to be the wisest. It is the elderly that receive the most respect and have the most authority. Confucius himself dedicated much of his time teaching his followers the way to acquire wisdom; through hearing and studying, but most of all, through experience.

            While they may be similar on several levels, Confucianism and Buddhism can certainly be worlds apart in some aspects. One of them, and most important of all the differences, is the distinction between the secular and the spiritual. Buddhism, for one, is very spiritual, as it believes in the afterworld, the spirit that unites everything (known as “Brahman”), as well as believing in reincarnation. Even though Buddhists believe in reincarnation, they desperately try to avoid it, as they want to achieve Nirvana, which stops the wheel of life. Confucianism, on the other hand, is entirely secular. Its followers devote their time solely to worldly business, not usually considering life after death and spiritual mysteries.

In conclusion, many of the several facets of Buddhism adhere to many of the principles of Confucianism, respectively in their views of God, or gods in general (a wide-ranging lack of concern when it comes to divinity), as well as a common zest for attaining wisdom. They do, though, diverge when it comes to fundamental beliefs. Buddhism is spiritual, as its followers focus much of their energies to stepping out of the wheel of life. Confucians, on the other hand, devote their time to secular, or Earthly, matters. While not being identical, Buddhism and Confucianism are similar in many aspects.