DAOISM

This picture is a typical Daoist painting which is

characterized by elements of nature such as the bamboo.
Much of Chinese art, particularly the development of
landscape painting, nature poetry, and garden culture
was influenced by Daoism, a philosophy which
flourished in China during the late Bronze Age and
emphasizes humanity’s relationship with nature. In this
lesson, you will know more about another Daoic
religion- Daoism and understand its historical
development and its relevance to Chinese society and
culture.

Daiosm is a nature- based philosophy. It Daoism functioned as a philosophy of abandonment and withdrawal from
observes nature, seeing the observer and the the rampant warfare and social unrest which characterized the reign of the
observed as one entire system. Like this
painting – a painting in the Litang Style,
Zhou dynasty—a period of constant struggle for power, wealth and prestige.
portraying three men laughing and facing the It began in the state of Chu in the Southern part of present Hunan Province.
river stream. In effect, it served as a protest of common people against the rising
despotism of rulers and served as a reaction to the growing firmness of the moralists, who were followers of Confucius.
Daoist struggled to fight for individual autonomy in the midst of the struggle of rulers and moralists to bring people to
conform to social patterns to achieve social harmony. The ultimate goal of Daoist was to conform to the great pattern of
nature, which is called Dao, or the Way. As a philosophy, Daoism focuses on the great mysteries of the Dao: as a religion,
its goal is to achieve long life and ultimately immortality.

Make an inventory of the things which can be found in your bedroom ( e.g. bed, clothes, books, toys,
etc.) Considering the Daoist teaching that one should acquire only the things that one need to survive,
which of the things you have listed can you do without? Write a reaction paper about it.

Taoism, or Daoism, is a philosophical tradition of Chinese origin which emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao.
The Tao is a fundamental idea in most Chinese philosophical schools; in Taoism, however, it denotes the principle that is
the source, pattern and substance of everything that exists.

Taoism is China's indigenous religion, "morality" as the highest faith. Based on Huang and Tao thinking theory, ancient
Chinese Taoist spirits worship derived since the formation of the Warring States Period. In Eastern Han Dynasty, a large
number of Taoist organizations emerged and the notable ones were Peace Taoism League and Five Bushels of Rice
League. The ancestral Taoist master Zhang Daoling officially founded Taoism organization which had a history of over
1800 years. Taoism is polytheism and the god worshiped by Taoists are enshrined the reflection of "Tao" personification.
Taoist priests are clerics and the number of priests nationwide is 3 million. Taoist Temple is a place for Taoism activities.

BASIC BELIEFS:

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let
things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

Daoists believe in the yin and yang. The yin stands for Earth, darkness, and female forces.
The yang stands for heaven, light, and male forces. The peace and well-being of the
universe depends on harmony between the yin and yang.

ON HUMAN NATURE:

Daoism had no interest in bringing order to human affairs. Instead, they sought to live in
harmony with nature.

The Yin and Yang describe how “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is
opposite or contrary forces are nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."
actually complementary,
interconnected and interdependent “He who is contented is rich.”
in the natural world.

ON EDUCATION:

“Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.”

“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These are your greatest treasures.”

ON GOVERNMENT:

"Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish: too much handling will spoil it." emples within the country reaches
more than two thousand.

Taoism Overview

Taoism, originated in ancient mystical side of local Chinese Spring and Autumn, is a worship of many gods of polytheism
native religious form. The main purpose is the pursuit of immortality, immortal, saving the world. It plays an important
role in ancient traditional Chinese culture and in the modern world, Taoism are actively developing. While Taoism is the
one form from the Warring States era philosophers, Taoism was gradually deified. Until the late Han Dynasty, Taoism
organization began to emerge. Yizhou (now Sichuan) of Taoism enshrined and worshipped as the very high lord. In
Northern and Southern Dynasties, Taoist religion gradually improved. Lao Tsu whose original name was Li Er (the very
high lord) is the patriarch of Tang Shi Tang Dynasty.

"Morality" is the highest belief in the Taoism and the "Morality" is primitive metaplasia of all things. In traditional
Chinese culture, Taoism and Confucianism and Buddhism together occupy a dominant position in the theories and
practices related to seek ways to become gods.

Now academia Taoist refers to on the basis of the ancient Chinese religious beliefs, inherited the mystical side, Huang -
Lao folk gods, and most religious ideas and beliefs self-cultivation methods, and gradually formed "Morality" as the
highest faith. The very high lord was primarily regarded as its leader, and Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching" as its classic.

CONCEPTS AND BELIEFS

Taoism, also known as Daoism, arose about the same time as Confucianism. Laoze (Chinese: pinyin: Lǎozǐ, also Laotzi,
Laotse, Lao-Tse, Lao-tzu, Lao Zi or Lão Tu), is considered to have written a book of 81 chapters, named Tao Te Ching,
also Daodejing (trad. Chinese: simpl. Chinese: Dàodéjīng), a classical Chinese text, mainly concerning tao/ dào "way,"
and te/dé "virtue”, life, strength.

Taoist thought focuses on genuineness, longevity, health, immortality, vitality, wu wei (non-action, a natural action, a
perfect equilibrium with tao), detachment, refinement (emptiness), spontaneity, transformation and omni-potentiality.

This religious and philosophical tradition of Taoism had its roots in the nature worship and divination of the earliest
Chinese people.

The word ‘Tao’ 道 (or Dao) translates into "path",” method”, “principle” or "way", the character 教 translates into
‘”teach” or “class” and Taoist belief is based on the idea that there is central or organizing principle of the Universe, a
natural order or a "way of heaven", Tao, that one can come to know by living in harmony with nature and hence with the
cosmos and the Universe. The philosophy of Tao signifies the fundamental or true nature of the world, it is the essential,
unnamable process of the universe. Tao both precedes and encompasses the universe. Nothing in the Universe is fixed,
static or non moving; per se everything is transforming all the time. The flow of ‘chi’ energy, as the essential energy of
action, existence and active principle forming part of any living things, is compared and believed to be the influence that
keeps the universal order of Tao balanced. Analogies exist between all levels of existence: the Universe, the cosmos,
Earth and mankind are structured analogically and are equal in detail, forming an interconnected whole.

Through an understanding of natural laws, an individual can be one with the Tao by living in accordance with nature
(cosmos/ Universe) and all its transformations and changes, adopting and assimilating to these, and hence can gain eternal
life. With and due to the transformations and changes of the phenomena everything and every being spontaneously, by
intuition and in impulse establishes its own ‘way’.
Wu- Wei

From an ethical point of view, it is considered correct not to interfere with the spontaneity or alter it by any means,
expressed by ‘wu wei’ wúwéi -non- action as in abstention of any action opposing nature). All things with their
transformations and changes are considered to be self-regulating, self-expressing in their natural form. ‘Wu wei’ does not
signify not acting at all, but rather not forcing things on their way. Wu wei signifies that the action should be immediately
in accordance with the Tao, hence the necessary will be done without exaggeration, hyperbole or overeagerness as these
are considered obstructive, though rather in an easy, facile, non disturbing way, leading to overall harmony and balance. It
is a state of inner tranquillity, which will show the right effortless action at the right time. (i.e. the harmonious complexity
of natural ecosystems- the tao- works well without man made changes- wu wei.

Wu wei could be characterised by the adaptability of the flow of water in a stream. I.e. Water flows without awareness, or
naturally, downriver (principle of tao). It might be blocked by an object (branch or stone), though without contriving to do
so, finds it way around the object. Water acts without motive, it acts with wu wei.

If one wants to travel on water, one will use a boat or ship, since it is suitable as she moves around adequately on water. If
one wants to walk on land, a boat is not suitable to move around. One will only be annoyed and only have difficulties, not
gaining anything but inflicting damage to oneself.)

Taoism does not identify man's will as the root problem. Rather, it asserts that man must place his will in harmony with
the natural universe. Taoist philosophy recognizes that the Universe already works harmoniously according to its own
ways; if a person exerts his will against or upon the world he would disrupt the harmony that already exists, he would go
‘against the flow of life’. (i.e. the harmonious change of seasons of summer, autumn, winter, spring - the tao- works well,
though through man made global warming, the harmony is disordered. Damming rivers might result in devastating
flooding- unwanted by mankind, though produced by the same.

On the other hand, the yearly flooding of the river Nile provides the soil with natural fertilizer. Damming the river would
result in less fertilized soil, hence weaker crops, less harvest, less income, more hunger.) The return to tao, the return to
the interconnected whole and unity, can only be accomplished if dualistic thoughts are abolished and acts are conducted
naturally and spontaneously. Completeness in Taoism is thought of as empty, soft and spontaneous, and likewise should
be the action: without the interference or intervention of a dualistic intellect, intuitive and adapting to a situation. The
completeness or perfection of any act detects by intuition the best way to proceed, and it is considered absurd to put one’s
energy into an unfruitful, unsuccessful act just in order to act at all and hence exhaust and diminish one’s energy. Any act
should be in accordance with the surrounding, circumstances and means. In this manner, wu wei is ‘not interfering’ or
‘action through non acting’ and can be considered as creative passivity. Resulting from this attitude of ‘letting it happen’
results consequently as well the approach of non-violence and lack of resistance.The wu wei is characterised by an
activity undertaken to perceive the Tao within all things and to conform oneself to its "way."The practice and efficacy of
wu wei are fundamental in Taoist thought. The goal of ‘wu wei’ is alignment with Tao, revealing the soft and invisible
power within all things.

When following the ‘wu wei’, the goal is called ‘pu’ (simplified Chinese: 朴; traditional Chinese: 樸; pinyin: pǔ, pú; lit.
"uncut wood", translated as "uncarved block", "unsewn log", or "simplicity"), representing a passive state of
receptiveness. It is believed to be the true nature of the mind, unburdened by knowledge or experiences. Pu is a symbol
for a state of pure potential and perception without prejudice, without illusion. Pu describes an aimless action, because
with a goal, one would develop anxiety about this goal. Pu describes the ‘just being’ without the aim of being. (i.e.:
Playing an instrument just for playing, not thinking about the playing, since otherwise one will get in one’s own way and
interfere with one’s own playing.)

The ‘dé, "power; virtue", ‘” heart”, "inherent character, personal character; inner power inner
strength; integrity") is the manifestation of the Tao within all things, the active expression, the
active living, or cultivation, of the "way" Tao, the implementation and manifestation of the Tao
De, a chinese symbol which
means virtue through undersigned actions. The Tao implements and manifests itself through undesigned
actions.

If Tao is honoured and if ‘te’ is considered precious, then there is no need for any regulations: all is working durable by
itself. Therefore, allow Tao to create, generate, nourish, proliferate, accomplish, ripen, mature, foster and protect; produce
without owning, affect without keeping, increase without domineering: that is secret Tao.

Thus, to possess the fullness of te means to be in perfect harmony with one's original nature. All things in the Universe,
including mankind, are a microsomes of the Universe, to which all natural laws such as The Five Elements Theory, Feng
Shui, the concept of the bagua and especially the the yin - yang philosophy, being an important concept of taoism since
yin and yang emerge from the tao- apply. ‘The way of life’, rituals, certain foods (Five Elements), meditation,
visualization, imagination, mystical worlds, qigong, t'ai-chi-ch'uan, certain techniques of breathing, sexual practices
(spiritual and cosmic pursuit, maintaining health, enhance one’s lifespan) and substances and medicine effect the believers
physical and mental health, as well as the knowledge of nature with its natural herbs, traditional Chinese medicine and
knowledge of alchemy does. By understanding himself, man may gain knowledge of the universe, and vice versa. In
Laotzi’s definition, tao is considered to be the pervasive principle of all things in the universe, being the highest reality
and the highest mystery, the primordial originality and unity, a cosmical law and an absolute. From the Tao diverted the
‘ten thousand things’, namely the cosmos, as well as the order of thing, similar to a law of nature. But Tao itself is not an
omnipotent being, but the genesis, the source and the alliance, the conjunction of opposites and as such not definable. Tao
is ‘the nameless', because neither it nor its principles can ever be adequately expressed in words. From a philosophical
point of view tao can be seen apart and beyond from all defining abstract concepts, because it is the reason for and the
reason of being, the transcendental origin and transcendental philosophy and as such incorporates all, including the
antipode of being and non being. Based on that, nothing can be said referring the tao, because every single definition
would impose a restriction. But tao is both, unlimited transcendence as well as the immanent principle of the cosmos and
the universe. The effects of tao create the genesis by generating duality, yin and yang, light and shadow, since every
action creates a counter-action as a natural, unavoidable movement within manifestations of the Tao. From the
metamorphosis, movement, motion, flow, interaction and interplay of the duality emerges and arises the world.

The Founder of Taoism

Lao Tsu is the founder of Taoism and his name is Li Er. He mainly lived from 571 BC to 471 BC. He was a great
philosopher and thinker, founder of the Taoist school in ancient China and he was posthumously named the ancestor of Li
by the king of Tang Dynasty. Lao Tsu is the world cultural celebrity, one of the world's one hundred historical figures.
The essence of his work is simple dialectics and advocates inaction. His doctrine has a profound impact on the
development of Chinese philosophy. In Taoism, Taoist I revered ancestor.

Lao Tsu tried to create a universe encompasses theory. Lao Tsu think all things to follow such a law (morality): the inside
of a thing itself is not a single and static, but its relative complex and varying. The thing itself that is the unity of yin and
yang. Conflicting things will be converted to each other, that is, the conversion of yin and yang. Methods come from the
law of things. Lao Tsu's "inaction" is not the "inaction" for the purpose, but in "promising" for the purpose. Because
according to the previously mentioned "morality", "inaction" translates as "promising." The genius of this idea is that,
although not on the subjective interests to achieve the purpose, but they can better achieve the objective interests.

It should be noted that:

In fact, people live as if the universe exists, no one can rationally indicate its purpose.Thus, non-ration choose a (more)
aims to become the only option. Lao Tsu was standing on the endless road high position of view. So, Lao Tsu just said,
"Method", but did not point out that "the purpose." This gives us a revelation: why people reach for the deliberate purpose
of pain. Inaction, happy is a free and unfettered way for life method.