In Chinese philosophy, Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism are the three pillars of Chinese Civilization.
儒家，道家和佛家、是中国文明的三大支柱。
Daoism and Confucianism have existed as indigenous beliefs since prehistoric China (3000+ B.C.) they are the core of Chinese philosophy. Then arise the self-transcended master Laozi, whose teachings led to the formalization of Daoism, and the great teacher of personal development Confucius, whose teachings led to the formalization of Confucianism. At about the same time as Laozi and Confucius, Shakyamuni Buddha arose as the great teacher of spiritual enlightenment, whose teachings came to China later in history with detailed descriptions of the reality of and beyond the mind. Since then the three schools start influencing and blending with each other, and have become inseparable parts of the Chinese Civilization today.
From a spiritual cultivation point of view, the three schools of Chinese philosophy come from the same source, they focus on different stages of cultivation, support each other, and lead one back to the same origin. Confucius focuses on personal development and the fulfilment of worldly responsibilities, Daoist focuses on the transcendence of self through studying the nature and practicing one’s body – energy – spirit, and Buddhist focuses on the mastering and transcendence of the mind and on serving in the world after self transcendence.
The three schools of Chinese philosophy have their own strong areas of teachings. By learning from all three schools, spiritual students can therefore draw wisdom from all three schools, find suitable guidance and support from them in accordance to one’s developmental stage and need, and ultimately realizing the truth that originates and prevails in all three schools of teachings.
史前的中国（公元前3000年之前），已存在着道家和儒家的前期思想（当时还未分开道家和儒家）。公元前五世纪时，出现了超越了自我的“老子”，道家思想的始祖，以及提倡个人发展的孔子，儒家思想的发起人。与老子和孔子的同一个时期，还有在印度的释迦牟尼佛，他对心灵的体会和详细教导在数百年后也来到了中国。自始，三大家便开始相互影响和融合，达两千年之久。如今，儒道佛三家已成为了现今中国文明的中心思想。
从宏观的修炼角度来看，三家来自同一根源，只是它们专注于不同阶段的教导，去支持不同水平的人，以达到最终的真理。儒家侧重于个人发展和世俗责任的履行，道家侧重于认识自我和锻炼精气神以达至自我的超越，而佛家的重点上则在掌握和超越自心以及如何在超越自心后服务世界。三家教导各有自己的强项。如果我们能根据个人发展的阶段和需要，向三家学习，便不难找到合适的指导和支持，获得智慧，以致最终体现三家源头的真理。
