COMPARATIVE

ANALYSIS

HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, CONFUCIANISM,

DAOSIM
Core Beliefs
 Belief in God
Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Daoism
- Brahman as the sole - Non-Theistic religion - Non – theistic religion - non-theistic religion –
divine principle that believes in the – Confucius, however, emphasizes “the way”,
existence of Devas believes in the Dao, which is not
- Avatara is (Gods) but does not call which manifest itself in anthropomorphically
incarnations/manifest one to worship them terms of change. God.
ation of deity in some schools believe
different forms that Buddha is rightful
to receive devotional
- Triurthi is the highest worship
three Gods in the
Hindu pantheon
(Brahma, Vishnu and
Shiva)
 Sacred Text
Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Daoism
- Shruti Scriptures: the - Suttas (Sutras) - The four books: The - Daodejing
Vedas and believed to be the Analects, The Great
Upanishads words of the Buddha Learning, The Doctrine
himself of the Mean, The
- Smriti Scriptures: Mencius
Mahabharata, - Three Canons: Pali
Ramayana, Dharma, Canon, Mahayana
Shastras, Puranas Canon, Tibetan
Canon
 Summary of Beliefs
Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Daoism
- No one summary of - Taking Refuge Five - The development of - Dao, Wu, Wei
beliefs; Precepts the Junzi, the Five Great Longevity and Chi and
- It depends on the relationships and the the Yin-Yang
school of thought or Virtues: Ren, Hsiao,
deity worshipped. Shui and Li.
 Origin
Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Daoism
Founder Founder Founder Founder
- No one founder, but - Siddharta Gautama - Confucius - Laozi
many teachers and
sages

Place of Origin
Place of Origin - Lumbini and Bodh Place of Origin Place of Origin
- Indus Valley (Western Gaya (Northeast India - China - China
India) and Nepal)
Practices
 Worship
Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Daoism
- Devotional worship - Chanting Suttas in - Proper observance of - The recitation of
of deities Puja in temples rituals, conducts and Mudras
temples norms.
- Monks can
- A priestly class sometimes do
(Brahmins) officiate blessings, but they
worship are considered
renunciants rather
than rituals experts
 Common Lifestyle
Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Daoism
- Doing one’s function - Renunciation of the - Living one’s life as a - Living in accordance
in the social order world through Junzi, to cultivate ones with Dao.
(caste system) monasticism character, and to act
according to one’s
- Householders (non- proper role in the
monks) adhere to the community.
Five Precepts and
study Buddha’s
teaching
 Common Lifestyle
Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Daoism
- Doing one’s function - Renunciation of the - Living one’s life as a - Living in accordance
in the social order world through Junzi, to cultivate ones with Dao.
(caste system) monasticism character, and to act
according to one’s
- Householders (non- proper role in the
monks) adhere to the community.
Five Precepts and
study Buddha’s
teaching
 Festivals
Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Daoism
- Major and minor - Events surrounding - Confucian festival - Daoist festival calendar
festivals mostly the Buddha’s life, calendar represents an represents an
based on the Lunar most important is amalgamation of various amalgamation of various
Calendar Visakha (Vesak), the sources, and varies sources and varies
celebration of the according to sect, region according to sect, region
- Each locality, temple Buddha’s passing and temple and temple.
or deity will have
their own local
festivals
Division
 Sectarian Division
Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Daoism
- Vaisnavites (devotees - Theravada - Mencius - Northern and South
of Vishnu) - Mahayana - Xunxi Daoism
- Vajrayana - Dong Dongshu - Chin Tan (Golden
- Saivites (devotees of - Song and Ming Elixir)
Shiva) Confucianism - Taoism
- Korean and Qing - Ch’ing Wei (clarified
- The Mother Goddess Confucianism tenuity)
(devotees of Devi, - Modern
Durga or other Confucianism
female deites)
 Sectarian Division
Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Daoism
- Samkhya - Same as sectarian - Same as sectarian - Religious Daoism
- Yoga divisions division - Philosophical
- Mimamsa Daoism
- Vaisheshika
- Nyaya
- Vendata