The Story of Tzuchen and Dark Stone - Book Report/Review Example

Confucianism is associated with ‘Ren’, which is a representation of ‘love’, and ‘Li’ which is a representation of rituals that signify respect for the society as well as a societal hierarchy. On the other hand, Taoism is quite controversial as it is associated with the philosophy of inaction. Buddhism advocated for the attainment of self-emancipation through good deeds. Buddhism chides in the belief in a number of worlds, heavens, hells, ghosts, saints, and angels (Bauer and Franke).

The story of Tzu’chen and Dark Stone brings the elements of Buddhism in Chinese culture to the fore. Dark Stone is a ghost who has turned into human form in order to supposedly learn from a human master before a promotion in the Underworld. Dark stone meest Tzu’chen and they interact in a human-ghost relationship. This exposes the element of Buddhism belief that ghosts do interact with humans. Besides, Dark Stone is a saint; therefore, enhancing the Buddhism beliefs of sainthood, heaven, and hell.

Importantly, emancipation from human suffering involves the performance of good deeds, whereas bad deeds are punished by death in extreme cases. This is clearly brought for by the killing of a cock, perceived to be the enemy of Tzu’chen’s father, and who caused untold suffering to him (Bauer and Franke). In the end, the story brings out elements of Buddhism in relation to human ghost interaction, rituals, rewarding of good, and punishing evil.