Editing Tao (section)

===Confucianism===
The Tao of [[Confucius]] can be translated as 'truth'. Confucianism regards the Way, or Truth, as concordant with a particular approach to life, politics, and tradition. It is held as equally necessary and well regarded as ''de'' and ''[[ren (Confucianism)|ren]]'' ('compassion', 'humanity'). Confucius presents a humanistic Tao. He only rarely speaks of the 'Way of Heaven'. The early Confucian philosopher [[Xunzi (philosopher)|Xunzi]] explicitly noted this contrast. Though he acknowledged the existence and celestial importance of the Way of Heaven, he insisted that the Tao principally concerns human affairs.{{sfnp|Taylor|Choy|2005|p=589}}

As a formal religious concept in Confucianism, Tao is the Absolute toward which the faithful move. In ''[[Doctrine of the Mean|Zhongyong]]'' (The Doctrine of the Mean), harmony with the Absolute is the equivalent to integrity and sincerity. The ''[[Great Learning]]'' expands on this concept explaining that the Way illuminates virtue, improves the people, and resides within the purest morality. During the [[Tang dynasty]], [[Han Yu]] further formalized and defined Confucian beliefs as an [[apologetics|apologetic]] response to Buddhism. He emphasized the ethics of the Way. He explicitly paired "Tao" and "De", focusing on humane nature and righteousness. He also framed and elaborated on a "tradition of the Tao" in order to reject the traditions of Buddhism.{{sfnp|Taylor|Choy|2005|p=589}}

Ancestors and the [[Mandate of Heaven]] were thought to emanate from the Tao, especially during the [[Song dynasty]].{{sfnp|Harl|2023|p=272}}