Menu:

Conflict Analysis by Megan S.

    During the Tang Dynasties, there were major problems because of religious conflicts. Religion played a big part of the Tang Dynasty politics. The nation was split between different ideals during the Tang dynasty. Buddhist and Confucius beliefs were the big two religions during the Tang dynasty.
    Confucius was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the spring and autumn Period. His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. Confucius' thoughts have been developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism. The Confucian theory of ethics as exemplified in is based on three important conceptual aspects of life: ceremonies associated with sacrifice to ancestors and deities of various types, social and political institutions, and the etiquette of daily behavior.  
    Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha. Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of life. Buddhist practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a path — a path which ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddha hood.
    The Chinese people, especially the women, liked Buddhism, but the government did not like Buddhism because it went against government control. The Chinese liked the idea of a path of practice for the true nature of life, but it went against government control so it was regretted by the emperor and the people in politics. As a result of this conflict                 Neo-Confucianism was created. The emergence of Neo-Confucianism merged the two religious ideals together to make a more successful society and political structure.
    While Confucianism emphasizes the duty owed to society, order, and hierarchy, and Buddhism emphasizes the withdrawal from society to focus on the individual there was a compromise of the people. The new religion left the government and the citizens happy. Neo-Confucianism solved the divide in the country and allowed it to overcome internal conflict.