relate to Martial Arts…
I still don’t see how the two impact martial arts. The reason I had asked is because different kung fu styles seem to cling to one or the other as part of their root.
I guess the better question is what’s the difference between a daoist based martial art and a buddhist based martial art? And, if you know, could you classify styles to religious sects that they associated with?
Like most religions, they point towards the same thing. The differences between Taoism and Buddhism may well disappear as the practise crystallizes.
Of course, it’s been said already, but bears repeating that there are lots of different sects of both. Personally, I’m rather familiar with both Taoism and Zen Buddhism. Taoism is particularly troublesome since it is often split into philosophical and religious versions.
Also, in a Chinese context, both religions have influenced the culture greatly and therefore also each other. So, though Taoist texts may not go for long on reincarnation, I’d say rare is the Taoist who doesn’t in some essence believe it.
After all, one cannot circumvent causality easily, so actions create responses and when holding the understanding that one is egoless, who is it that reincarnates?
But just as any religion, these two can be several things. They can be guidelines for a good life and being a good person, with beliefs and maxims. For those who wish to dwell further into it, it becomes a way to personally experience the divine. Don’t confuse the finger for the moon or in this case the doctrine for the divine.
(edit: )
As for the relevance for martial arts, that’s a hard thing to say much about. However, several arts (Taijiquan, Baguaquan and Xingyiquan to name the prime suspects) are firmly rooted in Taoist philosophy. Hence one could call them Taoist arts.
Also, the arts coming from Shaolin might be considered Buddhist due to the nature of the monastery.
Personally, I suggest that not much be made out of the relevance of this to martial arts. Both Taoism and Buddhism are important things in Chinese culture, so in some ways they are bound to have affected the people who practised combat arts.
Re: Taoists/Buddhists
Originally posted by Repulsive Monkey
they both seek the same thing but have a differing contextual mode to acheive it. Ideally the result of Taoism, Buddhism, Sufism, Christanity etc all end at the same place, its just their path is different. However Buddhsim is classed as a religion whereas Taoism is not one. Again, though some would say that Buddhism is not essentially a religion (prehaps that would be the view point of the Mahayana sect), but merely a path and discipline to liberation.
I think you mean the Theravada view, Repulsive Monkey. The mahayana sect of Buddhism has incorporated a vast amount of cultural deity type aspects into Buddhism indeed making it a a “religion” in every sense of the word. This is why you see much more emphasis placed on Bodhissatvas, gods, goddesses, etc. in the Mahayana sects spread out through the world.
The Theravada class is very structured, and hasn’t really changed that much… (almost the Orthodox Buddhism in a sense) They are the ones that place more of an emphasis on the philo aspect vs. religion.
Taoism can be both a philosophy and religion at the same time.
Ryu
Hi Mighty B
I think you might want to rephrase your original question since the question seems to be more concern of the different impact these two “religions” have on MA.
The impacts are plenty:
Just to name a few things that you can find in the martial arts(remember we are not talking martial sports here). 
All MA share these “attributes” but they will be different depending on which “religion” the MA is associated with. If we just take breathing techniques for example, we can see that different “religion” brings in their worldview as well (ie Taoist mirco/marco cosmic cycles. ) BTW, anatomy is kind of a big one. If you dig deep into it. You will find a lot of interesting influence of different knowledge on anatomy affecting the practice of MA (ie Dim Mak - pressure point strikes). Oops, I might have opened a can of worms :rolleyes:
Mantis108
Repulsive Monkey - By what standards is taoism not a religion?