Confucianism largely emphasizes ethical human behavior and social order rather than a detailed theology. While it refers to the concept of Heaven (Tian) as an ordering principle that bestows moral legitimacy, it does not focus on personal deities or elaborate spiritual realms.

Daoism centers on the Dao, an ineffable, underlying cosmic force that is both the source and the pattern of all existence. This ultimate principle is considered divine in its ability to govern nature and life, emphasizing harmony with the natural order rather than interpersonal worship.

Buddhism, in contrast, generally refrains from positing a creator god. It instead focuses on the nature of suffering, the cycle of rebirth, and the path to enlightenment. Its spiritual framework is built around inner transformation and liberation from worldly attachments, with various cosmological elements playing roles in the journey toward nirvana.