Taoism or Daoism How is a man to

Taoism or Daoism

How is a man to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity? ? Confucianism --> Moral order in society. Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order. Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and less govt. to avoid uniformity and conformity.

Taoism or Daoism

Daoism Philosophy Goal Daoism Founder: Laozi Simple and natural living. How Achieved Influence Happiness and peace were gained by living in harmony with nature. Rulers were encouraged to rule less harshly. Influenced Chinese thought, writing and art. Daoism developed into a popular religion.

Daoism / Taoism • Founder – Laozi (Lao-Tze) • Sacred Text –Tao-te-Ching – Lao-Tze - The Book of the Way • Major Teachings – Live in harmony with nature – Be like water: • Water goes with the ‘flow’ • but is unstoppable • Implications for Government – Government unnatural • Tries to change too much • Usually makes things worse

Feminine Passive Darkness Cold Weak Earth; Moon Masculine Active Light Warmth Strong Heaven; Sun

Laozi’s Daoism Yang Yin “What Is” “What Is Not” Light Dark Masculine Feminine Creative Receptive Active Non-action Heaven Earth Life Death

Taoism • The Tao Te Ching is in effect the Taoist bible. – It centers around the concept of Tao. Or the “path”

Taoism • There are three meanings of “Tao” – Tao- The way to ultimate reality. This Tao is way to vast for a person to comprehend or fathom. – Tao- The way of the universe. The norm, the rhythm, and the driving power in all of nature. Deals more with the spiritual side then the Physical side of things.

1. Dao [Tao] is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life. 2. A believer’s goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature. [“The butterfly or the man? ” story. ] 3. Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course. ” --> “The art of doing nothing. ” --> “Go with the flow!” 4. Man is unhappy because he lives acc. to man-made laws, customs, & traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature.

Reject Material Things • Laozi taught that a force known as the Dao permeated all living things. • He told his followers that the most important thing an individual could do is to reject the world, and their desires for worldly possessions and power, and commune with nature, bringing ones self into a state of oneness with the Dao.

Relate to Nature • Many individuals in China practices both Confucianism and Daoism. • Confucianism taught them how to behave towards one another, while Daoism taught them how to behave towards the natural world, and with themselves personally.

• Daoists believed that the best way to live was the natural way. • In Chinese the word dao means “the way. ” Daoists did not define “the way, ” however. • It is said, “Those who know the Dao do not speak of it; those who speak of it do not know it. ” • To Daoists, Confucian rules for society were useless. • A society with rules was an artificial creation that disturbed the natural order. The Natural Way

• Daoists believed people should do nothing that was contrary to nature. “The duck’s legs are short, but if we try to lengthen them, the duck will feel pain. The crane’s legs are long, but if we try to shorten them, that crane will feel grief. Therefore we are not to cut off what is by nature long, nor to lengthen what is by nature short. ”

To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by: 1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning. 2. Relying on the senses and instincts. 3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe. 4. Ignoring political and social laws.

Three Jewels of Taoism • Compassion - leads to courage • Moderation - leads to generosity • Humility - leads to leadership

Lao Zi on Government • Lao Zi believed that the best government was the one that had the fewest rules and laws. • He valued simplicity. Lao said: “The wise man keeps to the deed that consists in taking no action and practices the teaching that uses no words. ” Bad Government According to Daoists

Taoism as a Way of Living • Seeking Health and Longevity: through diet, meditation, exercise, and a stress-free life • Alchemy: seeking the chemical “elixir of life”to achieve immortality • Meditation: “Inner Alchemy Meditation” – seeking spiritual rather than chemical transformation • Natural/holistic healing: herbal medicine, acupressure, acupuncture, exercise… • T’ai-Ch’uan (“grand ultimate boxing”) – A slow, graceful martial art stressing movement in balance

Daoist Influence on China • Architecture – Buildings pursues the harmonious unity of humans and nature. Daoists skillfuly built temples that conform to the contours of the land. – Buildings reflect traditional forms and values. – Buildings reflect values of openness, fulfillment, and long life. – Contain symbols and motifs that represent many traditional Chinese folk values.