5 replies to this topic

[komplex]

Can anybody explain why these two are different spiritual practices? They are remarkebly similar in a lot of aspects, but I'm struggling with pinning down the differences that seperate the two from each other. I see much hyprocisy in buddhism, similar to christianity. There are too many people who call themselves buddhists by default yet don't practice the beliefs. I'm not a Taoist but my beliefs are very close to theirs.

[Dionysus]

Chán (Zen) Buddhism - probably the most popular branch of Buddhism in the West - was conceived from a marriage between (philosophical) Daoism and Mahayana Buddhism. When Buddhism came to China, they thought of it as an "Indian kind of Daoism"; and they translated it using Daoist terms. So for instance you'll hear Zen students ask their masters about the Dao/Tao (Way) more often than about Buddhist concepts.

I'm no expert, but an easy way to explain it is this, I think: where Daoism and Mahayana Buddhism conceptually meet is in the idea that there is an underlying natural mind, already present but somehow hidden, that can be manifested. The human being doesn't need to attain anything (not even enlightenment); just get rid of obstructions that hide the true nature, and thus can be one with the Buddha-Nature or the Dao. So when one is rid of the delusions that come from socio-linguistic conditioning, one is what one always was: naturally enlightened, born already with the Buddha-Mind (awakened mind). - One can be spontaneous then, act without action (wu wei). This Dao (as in Daoism/Taoism) or this Mind (cittamatra, One-Mind, as in Zen/Chán and the Lankavatara Sutra - Zen is a Lankavatarist Buddhist school after all) - is fundamentally ungraspable ... one can't understand the Dao, or understand the Mind. - They are unfathomable, inexpressible; it's more an act of listening and letting the Dao or the "No Mind" (wu hsin) work through you.

Originally, Chán (Zen) Buddhism is the "best of both worlds" - it has the philosophical structure of Daoism, but without all the silly things like energies, immortality, pagan duality (male/female, sun/moon), elements of the occult ... All these superstitious, pagan elements are not there in Zen - at the same time, it stripped away all the ritualism and scripturalism within Buddhism, the reliance on lists, memorized sutras, and meditation methods (not even mindfulness, originally, chán had no method of meditation; same with Daoism ... it was just "sitting and forgetting" - but not following any instructions; just like a cat is sitting there clueless - she isn't following any method, yet her meditation is perfect, I would say).

For Chán Buddhism and Taoism seeing - as enlightenment - are the same: it is to hear the soundless sound, to learn the nameless name - a revulsion within the deepest recesses of mind that cannot be grasped intellectually. But put this way sounds very mystical and scary. I prefer how Jesus Christ puts it, to paraphrase: you must become like little children again - there's no other way to the Way.

[acharya]

I agree with Dionysus, but the answer isn't always so easy.

I thought I should add that there are many types of Buddhism as well as many types of Daoism. In modern times, they are very similar because both religions were like flat/suite mates during the first several centuries of the Common Era in China. Just as normal suite mates have their own room, they often meet in the hallways and chat or share meals. In this way, Buddhists and Daoists generally shared several ideas and grew even more similar. Rituals, scriptures, and even doctrines have since become very similar between the two religions.

-- Acharya

[whoablossom]

From what I remember from my Eastern religions class, Taoism has a more supernatural, pagan bent. I took this to mean that Taoism is not unlike some elements of Christianity in that it incorporates elements of a more structured religion with local, indigenous beliefs. In Christianity this gave rise to the traditions of Christmas (the tree and mistletoe, etc. all being elements of various pagan Winter Solstice ceremonies), and Easter (bunnies and eggs all symbolizing pagan spring rites centered on fertility and rebirth).

Is this correct or am I off?

[Aspirant]

You will find hypocricy among any religion. To boot - the people whom which you may see practicing Buddhism may also strongly violate the true ethical principals of Buddhism and as a result any serious progress in meditation is denied to them.

The differences between Buddhism and Taoism seem negligible to me. At their root, both had an emphasis on meditation. Both dealt specifically with the struggle of opposites.

Both are very degenerated. For example I am reading here on the Taoist wikipedia about their sexual views. These are in fact in direct opposition to real Taoism, what is written within wikipedia actually totally kills Taoism at it's root. So be careful and be critical.

There are differences. These differences exist in all religions because religions are simply prismastic colors from the same light of truth - Gnosis. Gnosis is the root of all wisdom and is present in all religions at their core, so be careful of favoring any one religion over another. You might be drawn to and resonate with a particular religion - this is good, but realize that the Truth is reachable through any religion. Also remember that we are all cut from the same mold and while some might appear to be hypocrits, ultimately we are all fools. Realizing this fact will help you reach the high truths you seek.

[Johnson]

Buddhism always have one famous thing that we all know and that is they tell you “life is suffering and so we should not let ourselves cycle back to reborn again.” They do believe in “their way of reincarnation” but that is totally not what Taoism is about either. Now, let me tell you in a Taoist’s point of view – life is happy, enjoyable, fabulous and great to be reborn again if you got a chance! Why not? We promote wisdom that are practical and real in Taoism. Our wisdom allow you to learn ways to improve your current life, to solve problems in your life and make life happier! If you can make life happier and more enjoyable, you won’t think life is suffering. So why is life suffering for the Buddhist? Well, they always put stress on people, make them feel they are born with tons of guilt and sin which they call karma debt, and tell you to go on veggie, go cultivate Buddhism only and get out of your family to cultivate full time as a monk or nun, wake up in the early morning to do rites and chant, how can life be not suffering? Cultivating Buddhism can really make you understand what they are saying! They really make your life suffering and so you can really feel it’s true that they think life is suffering! Life is very suffering if you cultivate Buddhism. Don’t worry, if you get rid of it, the suffer will be gone and you have no problem cycling another life again, just don’t go into the path of Buddhism.