ieve eternal bliss. The teachings that discuss the inner light of a person are as well renowned in the Tao philosophy as that of the Buddhist. The inner light that is sought is similar, but the actual path is the primary difference between Taoism and Buddhism. The path toward enlightenment for the Buddhist was defined by Buddha in his Eightfold Path. Only through following this path does the Buddhist reach Nirvana. The path to Tao is individual, it comes from within. No one can define a path for the Taoist, it must come from within. Tao means the way, but this way is never taught. Desire, ambition, fame, and selfishness are seen as complications to the end. That idea is consistent with Buddhist teachings; it is the personal life of each individual that gives Taoism its special form. Taoism and Buddhism perceive life, death and rebirth as a continuous cycle. This cycle has no beginning and no end. The soul is eternal, yet the soul is not the object of reincarnation. Taoist believe the soul is not reborn. Instead it migrates to another life. Buddhist also believe the soul is not reborn, but instead consciousness is the object of rebirth. One major difference between Taoism and Buddhism is the concept of karma to the Buddhist. This idea that all actions are the display of thought, the will of man, is known as karma. Karma determines the Buddhist actions and position in life. A person's karma limits the goals which can be achieved. Karma determines where in the cycle of birth, death and rebirth the consciousness returns. This return can be in the form of an animal or human, and the Buddhist must progress through a hierarchy to achieve Nirvana. The Taoist has no concept similar to karma, and no mention of the soul migrating to an animal form. The determining factor to one's life is contained in the individual behavior for the Taoist. By forsaking personal desires in life, by concentrating of the self, a longer life is prolonged. Eventually, ...
