Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!gatech!prism!mailer.cc.fsu.edu!mayne
From: tilley@ssd.Kodak.Com (David Tilley)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.eastern
Subject: Re: DEBATE: Buddhism and Taoism "vs." Confucianism
Keywords: Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Debate, help
Message-ID: <1991Mar11.180942.1583@ssd.kodak.com>
Date: 11 Mar 91 18:09:42 GMT
References: <2491@sun13.scri.fsu.edu> <64263@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU>
Sender: mayne@mailer.cc.fsu.edu (Bill Mayne)
Organization: Eastman Kodak
Lines: 54
Approved: mayne@nu.cs.fsu.edu

In article <64263@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU> fleming@acsu.buffalo.edu (christine m fleming) writes:
>I have been assigned to debate the issues of Taoism, Buddhism and
>Confucianism in a class. I got the ANTI-Confucianist stance. I have
>read up on the life of the Buddha, the life of Confucias, and have
>read the "Tao of Pooh". I know something of Hinduism so i am not too
>unfamiliar with Eastern religions in general. I started reading the
>writings of Buddah and Confucias, but i got swamped! 
>
>Does anyone have any good ideas for such a debate? Like: What main
>points can i focus on, how to "judge" the teachings of Confucias as
>"bad", etc.
>
>The thing that i found funny is that i doubt that many people in these
>religions would be debating, considering that debating lends a value
>judgement, and i don't think that that meshes with the beliefs too
>well...:) 
>
>If the group wants, you can post, but, probably mail would be best.
>
>Thanks a LOT!
>...jones
>
>(fleming@sun.acsu.buffalo.edu)
>
>-- 

I am posting because my mail is out of order.

First, 
>The thing that i found funny is that i doubt that many people in these
>religions would be debating, considering that debating lends a value
>judgement, and i don't think that that meshes with the beliefs too
>well...:)

is probably the best point I can think of. What Taoist would debate? But
it seems that you are not given the Taoist part but rather some
"ANTI-Confucianist" part. Whatever that is.

If you feel like taking a risk, play the Zen part and when asked a question,
SLAP the inquisitor. Or hold up a staff. Or say somehting like MU!

Of course knowing the WAY of professors, this will either be accepted
or get an F.

This debate seems a tad problematic.

For a good study book, see "A Sourcebook of Chinese Philosophy" By Chan.

It starts with confucius goes through TAO and then Budhism. I see very little
reason for these groups to debate. And I find that the thought that there is
A-BUDDHIST-POSITION very wierd. Or at least impossible for me to find one.


dave