China's Three Major Philosophies

and their Influence in Chinese History

How have China's major philosophies shaped the history of ancient China

and still continue to influence the views of it's citizens today?

Word Count: 2862

Date: February 2, 2015

Abstract:

Throughout China's most recent two thousand or so of history, three philosophical

doctrines have reigned supreme: Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Both Daoism and

Confucianism were developed in China, and are both based on following the "Way". Daoism

views the Way as a metaphysical concept. It is intangible to the mind and can only be grasped

intuitively through the Te, or Virtue. One follows the way, but can never fully comprehend it.

Confucianism, on the other hand, sees the Way as something more substantial. Their Way refers

to how one should conduct oneself. Buddhism is different from the other two major Chinese

philosophies because it was developed, not in China, but in India, and therefore from a separate

mindset than that of the Chinese. Buddhism rests on the idea that one can escape suffering

entirely by following strict rules set down by the Buddha. In these two thousand years, these

three separate philosophies have merged together to form a more fluid philosophy shared by

most of the people in China.

Word Count: 169

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Table of Contents

Title Page ........................................................................................................ i

Abstract ......................................................................................................... ii

Table of Contents ............................................................................................. .iii

Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1

Overview ........................................................................................................ 1

Origins ........................................................................................................... l

Doctrine ......................................................................................................... 2

History and Periods of Influence ............................................................................ 3

Modem Times and Conclusion .............................................................................. 4

Bibliography .................................................................................................... 5

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