A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PARENTAL DUTIES IN THE THERAVADA BUDDHISM AND CONFUCIANISM

Abstract

This paper has three objectives to study the concept and to compare of the duties between Theravada Buddhism and the Confucianism. This is a qualitative research done by studying academic documents. The researcher has concluded as follows: It is found that, The Parental duties in Theravada Buddhism is called the six directions, it is the principle about the duty of man to the person who concern with their life directly. The center is ourselves and compare person around us as the six directions as follows. The Parental duties in Confucianism has applied into the five relationship theories, the Confucius is given the importance to duties of governor by presenting the social commitment ethic theory. The researcher thinks that it is set the scope of the duty to organize for practice into five points. Both Confucius and Theravada Buddhism have given the importance to person more than the theory. And both have presented the practice that people have to practice to each other’s. The goal of Confucius is existence in this world for oneself and society. Then, the goal of Theravada Buddhism is existence in this life and next life for oneself including next life, for society is emphasized in this life mainly.