A Taste of Vinegar: Three Perspective on Reality 🌹 🌹 🌹

Three as One: Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism

The syncretic forces of multiple world views often merge in cultures around the world. In China, there are three teachings that interact in a way that seems a bit strange to the Western Worlds. The three teachers-- Siddhartha, Lao Tzu and Confucius,-- are respected representatives of three major religious views: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.

The effect this has on rhetoric is major. An Asian view of culture is much more complex that is seems because competing viewpoints of reality have blended into each other. Asians can be more adaptive to a degree. So it is critical to have an understanding of how competing religions can work together in support of each other.

Korea and Japan would also be influenced by these teachings. Furthermore, the political, social and religious views of those countries can be measured by the degrees to which these ideas are prevalent.

One does not have to give up one to believe in another. Indeed, belief in all three simultaneously is fine. Of course, today there are Christians and Muslims in Asia. However, the three teachings first mentioned are those which were accepted by the ruling classes and the people as helping to define the ways of being Asian.

Yes, these views can contradict each other, but the Chinese believe in a plurality and a philosophical way of combining these teachings. In a sense, it is incorrect to separate them. It becomes even more difficult to say which deity is Taoist and which is Buddhist. A Buddhist temple will have Taoist symbols and a Taoist temple with have Buddhist icons represented as Taoist figures.

Expressing the Taste of Vinegar

There is a story of the three men meeting and tasting vinegar.

• Confucius makes a sour face and says,"Someone didn't follow the rules in making this."

• Buddha said has no reaction, but states, "All is suffering, so rise above."

• Lao Tzu, the Taoist, smiles, sings, and dances,"Appreciate life as it is."

 One for All and All for One

Throughout Asia, all three teachings or religions live side by side with no problems. Such teachings affected the history of rhetoric in Asia.