D AOISM

1. DAOISM

2. Philosophic thought influences the development and evolution of civilizations • Daoism, like Confucius, represented another approach to life and the universe Today’s Major Ideas

3. Laozi is seen as the founder of Daoism. • He lived around the same time as Confucius but even less is known about his life. • Legend has it that Laozi was an archivist in the royal court and during his job he became very knowledgeable, gaining wisdom. ORIGINS

4. Lao Tzu wrote a collection of verses called the Tao TeChing that encapsulated the heart of Daoism. ORIGINS

5. Where Confucianism is positivist, Daoism is skeptical. • Laozi questions the ability of people to truly know things. • For Daoists, all knowledge is partial ad provisional. • Basing action on this knowledge makes things worse rather than better! Compare to Confucianism

6. This inability to know anything truly, doesn’t mean Laozi didn’t care about what was going on in China. • For Laozi, the ideal life was in a small village, where all one’s simple needs were met, and though one could hear the dogs and roosters of neighbouring villages, one never chose to go there. • Going there would just take you out of the proper order if where you belong. Concern for China

7. At the centre of Daoism is the Dao. • Dao is not a thing or a substance or a God. • It literally means “the way”; to practise the way of nature and to understand how to achieve balance between opposing forces. • It’s hard to describe…. BELIEFS

8. The Dao includes several concepts in one word: • the source of creation • the ultimate • the inexpressible and indefinable • the un-nameable • the natural universe as a whole • the way of nature as a whole Dao

9. Closest translation means, “not doing” • A central belief of Daoism is to leave things alone and let nature take its course. • It does not mean be lazy! • It means living your life in your village in the natural order of things. • Doing by being • Have faith in the Dao and let people find their own way without manipulating the way they think. Wu Wei

10. For Daoists, the goal is not to actively make the world a better place. When you set out to make the world a better place, you may mess it up as you can’t tell what the consequences of your actions will be. Wu Wei

11. “Whosoever knows how to lead is not warlike. • Whosoever knows how to fight well is not angry. • Whosoever knows how to conquer enemies does not fight them” Excerpt

12. Although there were several schools of thought in regard to Daoism, they all maintained these basics: • All life is important and living life, not material things is important • Be like water…it is flexible, malleable in your dealings with others • It can penetrate rock and if you are patient enough even wear down the rock • let nature take its course and leave it alone • have minimum human impact on nature and the world Other Beliefs

13. Laozi applied these teachings to individuals AND society in general. • Because of the loss of life during the WARRING STATES PERIOD people became much more concerned about life, and about leaders/governments leaving them alone to live their lives • Laozibelieved that government should never be harsh, or cruel to the common people • “extreme happiness will bring disaster” • Balance and Moderation are key! Influence

14. Similarities: Both concerned with the proper WAY of being. • For Confucianists: the Dao is something that we go out and actively seek to develop • For Daoists: The Dao is something we just let be. Confucianism and Daoism

15. Influence of Daoism on Western Life

16. Daoists place emphasis on physical health and longevity. Many of their practices have made their way into Canada. PRACTICES

17. Tai Chi aims to bring a person into harmony with Dao • Tai Chi aims to harmonizes the flow of energy (chi) through the body • Series of movements that also has a positive affect on nervous system, blood circulation, and muscle tone, and internal organs. TAI CHI

18. Let’s try…

19. Seeks to bring balance to the flow of energy within a person • Balance is disrupted when there is a disruption or blockage of chi with in a person. • Herbal remedies, acupuncture, or physical exercises work to clear the blockage of chi. CHINESE MEDICINE AND ACUPUNCTURE

20. Procedure that targets pressure points within the body to maintain a proper flow of chi. • There are more than 800 pressure points in a person’s body. Acupuncture

21. Fengshui comes from the ancient Chinese ideal of living in harmony with the environment. • The goal is to construct buildings in accordance with Dao to ensure the best spiritual energy. FengShui

22. The Yin-Yang is the main symbol of Daoism. • The balance and harmony is seen in the symbol- contrasting areas with a small white dot in the black are and vice versa. • Highlights the existence of pairs of opposites like dark and bright, night and day, dry and wet etc. • One side cannot exist without the other. SYMBOL

23. 20 million Daoists worldwide. • There is an active group in Canada- about 30,000. Daoists today

24. In groups, discuss how TAOISM would be applied to a natural disaster like the hurricane in New Orleans or mudslides in California and your rationale for this application. Daoist Case Study