FINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT. Literature & Language Essay

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Final Paper Assignment
The rise of new philosophical thinking in China and Japan began in the early nineteenth century when philosophers and scholars sought to respond to challenges of that time. Therefore, they borrowed Western political thoughts to solve these problems by creating a new system of thought. Communist thoughts began to operate in the Chinese political system, especially in the Chinese Communist Party, in one hand and thoughts of Japanese ultranationalists on the other hand. The purpose of incorporating these new philosophical thoughts was to keep both Chinese and Japanese traditions alive in the wake of nationalist movements. Additionally, the new way of thinking influenced the Chinese and Japanese traditions in several ways. In the 20th century, there has been a revival of the Neo-Confucianism and Buddhism movements despite tremendous political upheavals in the East Asian region. The purpose of this assignment is to compare and contrast Zhu Xi Neo-Confucianism, and Chan/Zen Buddhism philosophies following Biblical writings in Ecclesiastes 1:9, 'What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.' 
Comparison between Zhu Xi's Neo-Confucianism and Chan/Zen Buddhism
Zhu Xi (1130-1200) is one of the most influential philosophers of Neo-Confucianism. However, Zhu was influenced by the study and experimentation of Daoism and Zen Buddhism. Furthermore, he was a great admirer of other Confucian thinkers of his time, such as the Cheng brothers. Zhu became one of the most influential thinkers and speakers during the end of the Song Dynasty and the entire Daoxue tradition. Zhu Xi focused on the metaphysical dualism of essential stuff qi and pattern li, which he used to explain human life and moral knowledge. In 1313, his Confucian teachings became the basis of local examination, and for many years, his writings influenced the aspiring students of Confucianism as well as civil servants. He thought and wrote carefully on the methods of cultivating values. Furthermore, he wrote about history, the art of administration, politics.
Chan or Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism, which was derived from Sanskrit Dhyāna, which means 'to meditate' or 'meditation.' The Zen school of Buddhism emphasizes the practice and experimentation of wisdom, which in this case, is referred to as 'dharma,' which in meditation known as 'zazen.' Furthermore, Zen focuses on the attainment of awakening, which is the path of enlightenment. It is interested in religious writings and knowledge that lead to the direct practice of meditation. Its interaction with Taoism faiths caused the entry of Zen Buddhism in China. Zen, which is referred to as Chen in Chinese, grew to become one of the largest sects of Chinese Buddhism. Zen Buddhism consists of practices of Buddha by nuns and monks who belong to a large religious family. Each family demonstrates and performs rites that conform to Confucian-style in line with their spiritual ancestors. In Japan, Zen monks and nuns played a significant role in the introduction of arts and literature of the Song-Dynasty to Japanese leaders in the fi...