The life of the historical personalities like Jesus and Confucius began from a humble background. Buddha had a rich background. Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Mencius were philosophers from China. All these figures started their public ministries. They were all concerned about the human sufferings. These people worked and mingled with common people. Each of them had great concern for morality and justice of common man. For example, Jesus Christ and Buddha instructed to overlook the faults of others. The teaching of Confucius also points out the importance of respecting the elders, husbands by their wives etc. Confucius and Mencius had the same views regarding the state. They were looking for an ideal state.
Jesus, Confucius, Mencius, and Buddha were all concerned about the eternal destiny of the people. Both Buddha and Jesus had spiritual experiences. They talked about salvation but the ways they pointed out were different. Jesus and Confucius were abandoned by their own people. Jesus was betrayed his own people, the Jews while Confucius had to leave the place due to jealousy of the rulers.
One great similarity found in all these philosophers was that they influenced the masses by their teachings. The teachings of Jesus Christ was centered in New Testament and he used parables to teach the common folk. The beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer were the greatest teachings of his ministry. Buddha also taught his disciples about Nirvana by following Eight fold paths. Lao Tzu expressed his ideas in 81 teachings known as “Tao-Te Ching,”
The impact of the historical figures:
Jesus Christ gave great hope for the hopeless and marginalized sections of society. He himself mingled with the outcasts and poor, which was scorned by the religious leaders of the time. He assured them hope not only in this world but in the world to come. The standard of life set down by Christ was that of highest quality.
Confucius tried his best to reform the disorganized Chinese society. Like Jesus Christ, he talked much about the love. After his death, his teachings spread far and wide in different parts of Asia. It had great impact on religious, social and cultural life of the people of East Asia.
The teachings of Lao Tzu had profound impact on the social life of the people. He showed the people how they could lead a simple life in harmony with the nature. Taoism had great impact on Chinese literature and art.
The teachings of Mencius had great political impact. He came against the hereditary rule and put forward the concept of the mandate of heaven.
Buddhism was introduced in India at a time when the evils of caste system were at the highest. Buddhism provided the low caste people an escape from the caste barrier. Buddhism started from India and spread to different parts of Asia. It played a great part in forming the civilization of China. Buddhism also encouraged art and architecture to a great extent.
