A Study of the Interaction of Confucianism Buddhism and Taosim in Chinese History, and its Relevance to Interfaith Dialogue

Abstract

The 21st century is an era which faces political, economical and cultural and many other effects of globalization. Whether you like or dislike, accept or not accept it, it still is inevitable. Religion does also face the same problems with the changing and developing of the society. Contemporary religious issue of interfaith dialogue faces the challenge of religious diversity. It is not the simple understanding as we have known before and religious dialogue is not only some models as we know before as well. With the interaction between ideology and culture, the relations of each religion also undergo subtle changes. And these changes influence the harmony and development of the society. In ancient China, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism had a very drastic struggle with each other, but became harmony finally. It is really helpful in contemporary society to do religious dialogue without doubt. However, we cannot easily to copy all the historical experiences but also need a critical way to rethink of it and to try to find the good way for contemporary China and other countries. So the purpose of interfaith dialogue is not only reaching a consensus, seek common ground between religions while putting aside differences but by self-critical understanding by each through understanding the other for better cooperation and coexistence. This paper tries to use a critical and historical study of Chinese religious history to rethink how to make religions from conflict to harmony under the background of religious pluralism.