Final answer:
Buddhism and Daoism share several concepts, including the pursuit of harmony, recognition of impermanence, non-attachment, monastic practices, meditation, and belief in supernatural entities, leading to their initial merging in China.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ostensibly Shared Concepts between Buddhism and Daoism
Buddhism was perceived as a variant of Daoism when first introduced in China, partly due to similarities in their philosophical and spiritual ideas. This initial perception facilitated the mingling of the two traditions during the Han period and throughout Chinese history.
One shared concept is the focus on natural harmony and the appropriate way of living. Daoism pursues harmony through spontaneity and accordance with the Dao, or 'the way,' which aligns with Buddhism's principle of following the Noble Eightfold Path toward enlightenment and harmony.
Secondly, both Buddhism and Daoism emphasize the idea of impermanence. Daoists understand that life is constantly changing, which resonates with the Buddhist teaching of Anicca, the recognition that all things are transient and in a perpetual state of flux.
Thirdly, the concept of non-attachment is central to both traditions. Daoism encourages letting go of desires and ambitions as a way to achieve harmony, which parallels Buddhism's teaching that attachment leads to suffering, and therefore detachment is necessary for liberation.
Additionally, both traditions share a monastic lifestyle and the practice of meditation as means to spiritual cultivation and understanding of deeper truths.
Lastly, both Buddhism and Daoism maintain beliefs in various supernatural entities such as gods, demons, and other spirits, which may have contributed to their conflation in the eyes of early Chinese practitioners.