Confucianism and Taoism: two sides of the same China

The official religion in China was born in times ofthe fall of the Zhou dynasty. In the 5-3 centuries BC, a strong and powerful state was turned into a bunch of feudal principalities, constantly fighting with each other. The lower classes, coming out of obedience, boiled like a boiler with boiling water, and hundreds of religions and teachings were born in this "boiling water." Subsequently, a collection of these philosophical ideas became known as the "Hundred Schools." However, only two teachings survived and took root: Confucianism and Taoism. Over time, these two schools became the basis of China's social and religious worldview. Taoism can be considered a religion of China, while the teachings of Confucius control the social life of the Chinese. Thus, these philosophical schools harmoniously complement each other, for 2000 years defining the consciousness and behavior of millions of people.

Confucianism is named after its founderKun Fu-tzu. Thanks to Christian missionaries, this name began to sound like "Confucius". Confucius lived in 551-470 BC, when the way of Chinese society changed from patriarchal to bureaucratic. Confucianism and Taoism, supporting the spiritual sphere, helped to prevent anarchy and save the Chinese state from complete collapse. The teaching of Confucius is based on the achievement of harmony between the world and people. Religion Confucius did not concern, focusing his attention on human life. She was controlled by five types of relations based on the principle of "filial piety", which to this day is the basis of Chinese culture.

A place of honor in Confucianism was givenvarious rituals. They were collected in a kind of "code of laws", which every Chinese had to follow. Without respect for the principles of Confucianism, a person could not make a career in the civil service. Instead of worshipers, rites in Confucianism were committed by the head of the family, high officials and the emperor, and the cult of the state was equated with the cult of Heaven. Thus, both Confucianism and Taoism fully controlled the life of the Chinese people.

Taoism was born out of the teachings of the semi-legendaryLao Tzu. He laid the foundations of his teaching in the sacred book "Tao de jing". Meaning and purpose of human life, Lao Tzu saw in immortality, which is achieved through asceticism and self-concentration. Ascetic, leading a righteous life, becomes a Tao man - an eternal reality, a divine and creative beginning. The manifestation of Tao in real life, the nature of things is De. Tao never interferes in De and does not try to change it. Taoism, whose main ideas are in three terms - love, humility and moderation - preaches "the principle of non-interference." Non-action is the main rule and the basis of the life of the Taoist. He refuses any attempts to change the world and his own life and gives himself up to complete self-elimination.

As in Confucianism, there also exists in Taoismthe ideal of the state. The Taoists are a small country that does not lead wars, does not trade with its neighbors, and whose social and spiritual life is based on the principle of non-action. In China, these ideas have repeatedly caused people's riots and revolutions. The ideal person in Taoism is a hermit who devoted himself to achieving immortality. Over time, Taoism was divided into two conditional parts - philosophical and religious, which have significant differences. The religious part includes various superstitions and faith in magic. It is from her that such directions as astrology and feng shui came out. The spiritual centers of Taoism are numerous monasteries.

For centuries Confucianism and Taoism successfully resisted Buddhism. Supporting and complementing each other, these teachings formed that mysterious and incomprehensible China that has survived to this day.