The Similarities and Differences and Fusion of the Aesthetic Thoughts of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism

Abstract

This paper deeply discusses the similarities and differences of the aesthetic thoughts of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism in ancient China. These three thoughts occupy an important position in the history of Chinese culture, and they have a profound impact on aesthetics, life values and social ethics. By analyzing the Confucian emphasis on social order and human ethics, the Taoist pursuit of nature and inaction, and the Buddhist emphasis on inner peace and liberation, as well as the contrast and connection between them, we can better understand how these ideas have influenced the aesthetic concepts of ancient and modern Chinese society. In the aspect of Confucian aesthetics, this paper first discusses the Confucian values of etiquette, benevolence, human relations and social order. Confucianism integrates aesthetic values into social norms, believes that human virtues are unified with moral cultivation, and realizes social harmony by following etiquette and human relations. Confucian aesthetics focuses on the role and relationship of individuals in society, and reflects an external beauty through interpersonal interaction. The part of Taoist aesthetic thoughts discusses the aesthetic views of Taoism on nature, inaction and individual freedom. Taoism believes that nature is the highest beauty, pursues integration with nature, emphasizes the principle of non-governance, and embodies the realm of beauty through inner peace. Different from Confucianism, which focuses on social order, Taoism pursues internal balance and harmony and advocates aesthetic experience beyond the norm. The part of Buddhist aesthetic thought introduces the Buddhist aesthetic view of transcendence, inner peace and liberation. Buddhists combine aesthetics with liberation of the mind, believing that liberation is the highest beauty, beyond the cycle of life and death. Buddhist aesthetics emphasizes inner tranquility and concentration, pursues the realm beyond worldly desire, and reflects an inner depth of beauty. By comparing the aesthetic thoughts of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, this paper finds that they have some common points in the pursuit of inner beauty, harmony and individual spiritual growth. Although the three schools differ in specific points of view, they all focus on the improvement of the inner state to achieve a higher aesthetic realm. In addition, these three thoughts have also influenced and penetrated each other in history, forming a rich and diverse cultural tradition. In contemporary times, the aesthetic thoughts of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism are still of great significance. They provide enlightenment of values for modern society and prompt people to think about the harmonious relationship between the inner and outer world of individuals. In the face of the increasingly diversified aesthetics and cultural integration, these ancient thoughts provide us with profound guidance to help us better understand and shape the aesthetic view and life value in contemporary society.