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Buddhism and Daoism

Buddhism and Daoism

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Expert: Justin Coleman - 11/29/2006

Justin Choo
Joe McSorley

Question

Alex Wilding

What are the central beliefs of Buddhism and is there one God that they worship? The other question is about Daoism

Anandapanyo Bhikkhu

and that is,is there a God that they worship and does this religion have any rituals and practices?

John Willemsens aka

Advayavadananda

Thank you

Stuart Resnick
Fahfuen2007

Answer

Laurie McLaughlin

Thanks for the question, Katrina.

Ask Experts

We'll begin with your first question. The central beliefs of Buddhism are summed up well by a series of teachings

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known as the Four Noble Truths. Since this question tends to be asked often, I will refer you to the supplemental FAQ
that I have written based upon previous questions here at AllExperts. To go directly an explanation of the Four Noble
Truths, paste the following address into your web browser:

Justin Coleman

http://buddhismreference.docspages.com/#WhatAreFNT

Expertise

Buddhists do not worship a God, although their reverence of the Buddha might sometimes make that difficult to
discern. In Buddhism, the Buddha is not a god. The Buddha is "the awakened one", the man that attained Nirvana and

I welcome questions
concerning Buddhism
(including Zen) and Taoism
(primarily Lao-Tzuan), and I
may be able to address some
comparative questions
concerning Christianity. In
addition, I can answer some
questions that pertain
directly to Chinese Taoist
texts, which have been a
focus of mine for years.

began to point out the way to Nirvana for all sentient beings. This makes him, needless to say, a major figure in
Buddhism...after all, he established Buddhism in the first place some 2500 years ago. For that reason, he is held in
high regard by Buddhists. However, the reason that he is not considered a god or a deity is because his attaining of
Nirvana in no way required him to be anything more or less than human. It was the Chinese and Japanese that would
eventually emphasize the "ordinariness" of spiritual experience in Buddhism. To Buddhism, in general, the Buddha is a
central figure precisely because he was a man. His attainment of Nirvana, and his succeeding efforts in pointing out
the way for others, is important for Buddhists because he served as the first example that mankind can attain Nirvana.
In his book, "The Method of Zen", author Eugene Herrigel discusses the role of the Master in Zen Buddhism. The
Master served, essentially, as a role model for the students. Not in the sense that the students were expected to act
and "be like" the Masters, but rather in the sense that the Master served as the "living, breathing" proof of Zen
experience. A student had to put his full trust into the discernment of the Master, who would in turn guide students
toward the way through practice and teaching. Similarly, it for this reason that the Buddha is revered. He is, in a

Experience

sense, the "first Master". However, this statement should be taken with a grain of salt.

Experience:

An English philosopher once visited a Zen Master. While they were talking, the Zen Master expressed interest in the
philosopher's insights into Buddhism. "You would make an excellent student of Zen," the Master said," You should
come study with me." The philosopher returned with a question," Who was the Buddha's teacher?" In other words, if

I have studied
comparative world religion,
with a focus on Buddhism
and Taoism, for about 6
years now. I have spent a
good deal of time reading
original texts and modern
commentary and
explorations on Buddhism of
India, China, and Japan, Zen
(Ch'an) of China and Japan,
and Taoism. Although not
fluent in written Chinese, I
have delved into many
Chinese Taoist texts and can
offer an understanding of
some aspects of Mandarin,
with special focus on Taoist
literature.
Education/Credentials:

a teacher is necessary to attain Nirvana, then the Buddha is nothing short of a fraud!
So, to recap, the Buddha, historically, was a man...not a god or deity. Second, the achievement for which he is
renowned, attaining Nirvana, is only noteworthy because it is available to all sentient beings...not just the historical
Buddha, but all mankind that come after him.
Now, on to your next question. Is there a God in Taoism? The answer, once again, is no. The centerpiece of what is
usually termed Taoism (since there are many different traditions that are termed 'Taoist') is the 'Tao'. It is very
difficult to determine exactly what Tao is. In fact, it was this very question that puzzled many students in ancient
times. It is sometimes easier to describe what the Tao isn't than to try to pin down exactly what it is.
To begin with, the Tao is not a deity. That is, the Tao does not control man anymore than man controls the Tao. In
fact, speaking in terms of control is somewhat inappropriate. The Tao isn't so much a 'governing' aspect of the
Universe, as one might think of the Christian God. Instead, the Tao is the course of nature, the 'natural flow', if you
will. The Tao is often compared with water, which flows effortlessly because it is without definite form. It overcomes
obstacles in it's path by 'letting' gravity guide it's way, and it's flexibility and adaptability of form harness this effortless
power of nature. Taoism is not about controlling nature, but rather letting the Tao, the course of nature, permeate all
of one's being.
To clarify, philosopher Alan Watts described the Tao by comparing it to a river. There are three men in the river, all
being carried along at the same pace. One of the men does not realize he is being carried along on the flow of the

My highest level of
academic completion lies in a
high school diploma. I have
attended some college but
do not have a degree. My
ventures have been of a
more autodidactic nature
than anything else.
Primarily, I study these
religions because I enjoy

river, and he is trying to swim against the current even though the river carries him ahead just the same. This is
exemplary of the man that attempts to go against the Tao, or perhaps just knows nothing of it (but 'knowing' the Tao
is not required for one to act in accordance with Tao). He struggles against the natural grain, and just as it is when
sawing wood against the grain, the result is frustrating and messy. The other man in the river realizes that it is no use
to kick and struggle against the river. He saves himself a whole lot of headaches. The third man is the man that 'has
the Tao' or 'found the Tao'. Like the second man, he realizes that fighting the flow of the water is futile, but he takes it
one step further. He has learned that although he can't fight the river, he can guide himself in the course of the
stream. Furthermore, he can do this without having to call upon himself for effort. The power of the river is behind
everything he does. The man that has grasped the Tao is just like this.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Buddhists-948/Buddhism-Daoism.htm

Buddhists: Buddhism and Daoism, central beliefs of buddhism, beliefs o...

them immensely. Although I
do practice meditation and
study Buddhism, I wouldn't
call myself a Buddhist. I
would say that Buddhism
and Taoism have had a
profound impact on my life,
though. So, although my
involvement with these
religions should not be
considered 'devotional', I
have studied many
individuals that were very
much directly involved in
these religions. In the
answers I provide, I combine
my non-devotional but
intimate experiences in
learning of these religions
with the thought expounded
by spokespeople,
commentators, and critics
from ancient times to the
present day. For this reason
especially, I tend to be
thorough in answering
questions and a paragraph
simply won't suffice. Thus, I
would ask that inquiries be
limited to TWO or THREE
essential questions. I simply
cannot provide the length of
answers that I do when there
are upwards of five or more
questions in one inquiry that
all call for more than just a
few concise words to convey
a good understanding.

2 of 2

So, the Tao is basically the essential, inimitable course of nature. However, this brings us to one more point.
Sometimes, Taoism is confused with pantheism. That is, it is believed that Taoists see God as all of nature. This is
not really the case, though. In pantheism, a certain division is observed between man and nature. Nature is seem as
the deity, itself. Taoism, however, does not acknowledge that the Tao is necessarily anything different than man. It is
said, after all, that "the Tao is that from which nothing can depart, that which can depart is not the Tao." The Tao is
available to all, and it is limitless and inexhaustible for the very reason that man is not different than Tao. The natural
flow that is Tao is the same natural flow of the body and mind in all their varied and complex functions. Like
pantheists, the Taoists paid close attention to nature. Unlike pantheists, the Taoists had no reason to believe that the
tao that could be observed was not flowing through them just the same. For that reason, there was no need to
worship the Tao...it was not separate from one's self. Worshipping it would only reinforce the deluded notion that it
had to be 'gained' by effort. The Tao Te Ching reads," Everyday, the wise man gains. Everyday, the man of Tao
loses." The Tao is something that we all possess in some way, but not many of us know it, and even fewer of us can
harness and exemplify that natural harmony.
As for rituals and practices, Taoism is a highly varied field. There are numerous variations of Taoism ranging from
what is sometimes called 'philosophical' Taoism to alchemy to ritualized religions. Taoism runs the gamut, really,
which makes the question of their rituals a bit too vague to cover.
If you have any further questions, or maybe some more specific follow-ups on Taoism, feel free to ask. Thanks again
for the question...hope I could help.

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you really helped me understand better Thank you very much for the time you spent in helping
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