1. Firstly, Mahayana Buddhism is non-theistic; and it merely believes in doctrines and focuses on practice rather than belief; Confucianism is a philosophical system based more on morals and human relations rather than gods (Murphey 2009). Institutions of Confucianism were not separate churches, but used society, family, school, and state to spread its message (Nylan 9/7). Shinto, "the way of the Kami" (Nelson 9/2), however, is a religion of many gods. It is pantheistic and demands absolute loyalty to the Emperor, who is supposedly a direct descendant of the Sun Goddess, the highest being in the Shinto pantheon (Murphey 2009). Therefore, the “freedom” that one would have in the Mahayana Buddhism and Confucianism is considerably more than that of the other religions. Secondly, Mahayana Buddhism invented less levels of attainment. Mahayana Buddhism changed the mentality of Buddhahood; therefore, everyone can reach Buddhahood, the highest state. On the other hand, Daoism states that everyone must strive to live in harmony with one another, with no one being greater than anyone else (Murphey 2009). Similarly, Shintoists strive for inner and outer purity (Nelson 9/2); nevertheless, materialism in modern era makes most people intended to be self serving. These two reasons reveal why Buddhism and Confucianism are more popular.
2. Buddhism is seen as a diverse cumulative tradition. Along philosophical lines, cumulative tradition is composed of three periods. The first phase, represented by the early pure and simple Theravada ("way of the elders") and Sarvastivada ("all things are real") schools (Murphey 2009), emphasized the no-soul idea and the reality of the constituents of the world (Nelson 9/2). Theravada Buddhism was transmitted to Southeast Asia especially in Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos (Murphey 2009). The second phase, represented by the innovative, inclusive, and active Mahayana ("the greater vehicle") school, introduces pairing of wisdom with compassion...