Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist Views on Benevolence Essay

benignity can be defined as the moral inclination to be kind and kindnessate. If people could concur their malicious behaviors and focus on participating in acts that be solely beneficial to humanity, the earth would be much more prosperous. Being kind to others gives us a looking at of contentment that is otherwise unattainable. Receiving compassion and kindness provides us with a sense of gratitude and wellness that some(prenominal) cannot help but share with others. No unmatchable enjoys be the subject of psyche elses ill forget. This is why moral codes such as (but not limited to) Buddhism, Confucianism/Taoism have emerged. If constantlyy wholeness followed any one of the antecedently stated practices, it would be much easier for creation to grow and develop as a whole because there would be fewer causes of our discontentment.The Buddhists ultimate destination is to end suffering by achieving enlightenment, or nirvana (Kessler, pg. 186). Benevolence is indefinitely r equired to reach this state. foresight can only be driveed by recognizing the Four Noble Truths. This canonical all toldy states that life is suffering, which is the result of mischievousness karma caused by malevolent actions that are driven by natural human desires. The end of desire will inevitably be the end of suffering. The only federal agency to end suffering is by following in the footsteps of Siddhartha Gautamas enlightenment (Kessler, pg. 166). This method of bringing an end to suffering is otherwise known as the multiple Path, or the Way of the Buddha. In order to obtain the comparable enlightenment, Buddhists are required to uphold a strict set of rules regarding the way to behave as a beneficial member of society, including full view, right thought, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right meditation. (Kessler, pg. 224).The most devout Buddhist possesses grand self-control and discipline in attempt to live the pu rest, least harmful existence possible. A computable example of the ideal Buddhist is the bodhisattva. Bodhisattvas have reached the ultimate level of moral purity, kindness, and compassion toward the demesne and thence live to relieve people from suffering (Kessler, pg. 170). Concerning overall kindness and compassion, the fate and preservation of the entire world should be taken into account before performing any act. No living being should ever be harmed or killed. One should never steal from another, but may receive gifts openly. Buddhists should be chaste, truthful, and fair. They are required to keep stay among people if necessary. A devout Buddhist would never speak to someone in a discourteous manner, including sharing erroneous information (Kessler, pg. 185).This moral code practiced by Bodhisattvas is directly concerned with the wellbeing of the world through good deeds, which leads to the end of eternal suffering, according to the previously stated teachings of the B uddha. Another influential teacher of morality and obtaining widespread human prosperity is Confucianism. The Way, or Tao, is the Confucian concept of human nature. The Mandate of Heaven is dictated by the fact that humans, by nature, want to obtain balance and harmony in the world, which is possible beginning with harmony within the self. Harmony within ones self leads to harmony among other people, which results in the harmony of natural phenomenon, and thus the world is harmonious.This requires that all human emotional conditions be in balance. Although the notion is truly inconceivable, this can be most tight described as the Confucian concept of heaven. People mustiness be understanding and compassionate towards one another, and make sacrifices for the greater good. When this is achieved, human flourishing is then possible. People are either intelligent equal to possess the sincerity of the way, or they can be instructed to do so. Humans are all satisfactory of making a con tribution toward achieving the order of the Way, which results in spiritual salvation (Kessler, pg. 242-243). The most important way this goal is to be achieved by the followers of Confucian teachings is through sacrifice. An honorable person intends to sacrifice in order to spread good will to the earth.This helps emphasize the responsibilities all humans have to maintain peace and harmony in the world for the well being of everyone (Kessler, pg. 240). Humans are born into different ranks, which must be taken into consideration, but the overall goal of Confucian teaching is to uphold the moral compact of goodness. Elders and authority figures are to be followed in accordance to the Confucian way. For example, a child is humble to a parent because both are needed to maintain balance in the family. This plays a significant role in the functionality of the family unit. The same notion can be applied to the citizen and his governing body. The citizen is obedient to the politics be cause defiant behavior would lead to chaos (Kessler, pg. 242). The Buddhist and Confucian doctrines are similar in many ways.The ultimate goal of both sets of teachings is the same human benevolence leads to moral salvation and the well being of humanity. Renunciation plays a major role in the overall intention of both parties. The crucial digression between the two is the source of the regarded texts. Confucians fate is subject to the government no matter what. They pay respect to all people, but understand the necessity to respect the upper class because they play a major part in the well being of the whole. The elders and authority figures take care of the younger or slight fortunate.Buddhists focus more on solitude and undergoing suffering for the greater good. They go as far as to give up normal eating habits as to refrain from any selfish behavior that may lead to bad karma. Confucians also undergo suffering, but do not give up basic human desires for the benefit of others. They are undeniably considerate. Any feeling that one would not enjoy feeling would never be bestowed upon someone else. No form of extreme asceticism required of Confucians as it is sometimes in Buddhism. Rather, Confucian success is more important to human flourishing. Although true, both moral concepts have the same intended outcome of benevolence toward everyone.Works CitedKessler, Gary E. Ways of Being Religious. Mountain View, CA Mayfield Pub., 2000. 166+. Print.