Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism are similar to each other, using basically the same literature, or scripture, and having the same goal with a different approach. Buddhists have a psychological approach that is interested in changing human perception by being more separate; by going deep within themselves and detaching from the physical world. Confucians are rational and Taoists focus on an intuitive approach. They all strive to reach unification with Tao/Brahman.

Kung Fu Tzu - Confucius (551-479 BC) was a philosopher and educator who had a universal vision of transforming all into a harmonious society. The goals are to achieve self-motivation, self-control, to assume responsibility and cultivate the individual self while contributing to a harmonious society.

When the grand course was pursued, a public and common spirit ruled all under sky; they chose people with talents, virtue, and ability; their words were sincere, and what they cultivated was harmony.

- Confucius

In Taoism there are two complimentary forces in everything. This is the Yin and the Yang which signify any counterforce; positive and negative, male and female, rational and intuitive, day and night. There is interdependence among energy, a complementary interaction.

Act without doing, work without effort. Think of the small as large and the few as many. Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts. The Master never reaches for the great; thus achieves greatness. (Ch.63)

Prevent trouble before it arises. Put things in order before they exist. The great pine tree grows from a tiny sprout. The journey of a thousand miles starts with your first step. (Ch.64)

"Trees and animals, humans and insects, flowers and birds; these are the active images of the subtle energies that flow from the stars throughout the Universe. Meeting and combining with each other and the elements of the earth, they give rise to all living things. The superior person understands this, and understands that her own energies play a part in it. Understanding these things, she respects the earth as her mother, the heavens as her father, and all living things as her brothers and sisters."

"Those who want to know the truth of the universe should practice reverence for all life; this manifests as unconditional love and respect for oneself and all other beings."

Lao Tzu
Translated by: Brian Walker

"If you want to nourish a bird, you should let it live any way it chooses. Creatures differ because they have different likes and dislikes. Therefore the sages never require the same ability from all creature.... The true saint leaves wisdom to the ants, takes a cue from the fishes, and leaves willfulness to the sheep."

Chang Tzu

Buddhist: Loving Kindness

May every creature abound in well-being and peace. May every living being, weak or strong, the long and small, the short and the medium sized, the mean and the great; May every living creature, seen or unseen, those dwelling far off, those near-by, those already born, those waiting to be born, may all attain inward peace. Let no one deceive another. Let no one despise another in any situation. Let no one, from antipathy or hatred, wish evil to anyone at all. Just as a mother, with her own life, protects her only son from hurt, so within yourself foster a limitless concern for every living creature. Display a heart of boundless love for all the world, in all its height and depth and broad extent. Love unrestrained, without hate or enmity. Then as you stand or walk, sit or lie, until overcome with drowsiness, devote your mind entirely to this, it is known as living here the life divine.