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1、,Taoism,OK So then what is Taoism?,Taoism is both a philosophy and a religion.Lao-tzuHenan Province.,Taoist Approaches,Philosophical/School Taoism Religious Taoism The end of Han Dynastyfurther development of School Taoism; on the basis of it.,There is debate over how, and whether, Taoism should be
2、categorized. Traditionally, it is divided into two categories:citation needed1.Philosophical Taoism (Daojia,Chinese:道家;pinyin:doji; lit. school or family of Dao) Thephilosophybased on the texts of theTao Te Ching(or Daodejing,Chinese:道德經;pinyin:dodjng) and theZhuangzi(Chinese:莊子;pinyin:zhungzi). The
3、se texts were linked together under the term of Daojia during the earlyHan Dynasty, but notably not before.562.Religious Taoism (Daojiao,Chinese:道教;pinyin:dojio; lit. teachings of Dao) A family of organized religious movements sharing concepts derived from Daojia,Not sure when he died. 604 B.C.E. -
4、? His name means “Old Master”,Lao Zi Lao-Tzu,Zhuang Zhou,lived around the 4th century BC during the Warring States period Master Zhuang,Texts,Tao Te Chingconsidered the most influential Taoist text written byLaozi道可道非常道The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao名可名非常名 The name that can be named
5、is not the eternal name.82,Zhuangzi,a collection of stories and imaginary conversations. a set of practices achieve unity with thedaoand become a true person (zhen ren).The Butterfly Dream庄周梦蝶,Here are three of the major Taoist concepts: TE means power. The power of a thing is its virtue, its identi
6、ty, its integrity. So the te of a person is their authentic self, or genuineness. Te is expressed through humility and meekness(温顺的;顺从的gentle and quiet). WU-WEI is a concept involving relaxing the conscious mind. It seeks the denial of anything personal and the dissolution of the conscious, individu
7、al self. Wu-wei is best illustrated by water; it is supple yet strong, it flows over and fills what it encounters. It means to simply follow the way of nature. PU is a term which literally means “unpainted wood”. PU stresses the importance of simplicity and the need to leave things in their natural
8、state.,Oh So then what do Taoists believe?,The Three Meanings of Tao,Tao is the way of ultimate reality.Tao is the way of the universe: the norm, the rhythm, the driving power in all nature, the ordering principle behind all life.Tao refers to the way of human life when it meshes with the Tao of the
9、 universe.Ultimately, Tao is ineffable(cannot be described in words),The ultimate reality in Taoism is the Tao, or Way. Broadly defined, the Tao is the mysterious natural order of the universe. But paradoxically, what the sages have most often said about the Tao is that nothing can be said about it.
10、 As the Tao Te Ching puts it:The way that can be spoken of Is not the constant Way;The name that can be namedIs not the constant Name.The nameless was at the beginning of heaven and earth; The named was the mother of myriad creatures.Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe its secre
11、ts;But always allow yourself to have desires in order to observe its manifestations.These two are the same But diverge in name as they issue forth. Being the same they are called mysteries, Mystery upon mystery - The gateway of the manifold secrets.,in Chinese thinking, to give something a name (min
12、g) is to assign it a place in the universe. This cannot be done with the Tao, as it pervades and encompasses all.The Tao has no characteristics, yet it is not nothingness. In fact, it is better understood as everythingness, as it contains within itself all potential characteristics. It encompasses b
13、oth Being (yu) and Non-Being (wu). In its mode of being Unseen, we will see its mysteries; in the mode of the Seen, we will see its boundaries.,The Tao encompasses all opposite and complementary forces, which are collectively referred to as yin and yang. As represented in the familiar Great Polarity
14、 symbol, yin and yang are interdependent and contain within themselves the seed of the other. Yin is associated with darkness, femininity, passivity and water, while yang is light, masculinity, activity and air. Yin and yang are always in perfect balance within the Tao. The goal of the Taoist, there
15、fore, is to keep these opposites in balance within his or her own life.The Tao is further characterized by tzu-jan, which is difficult to translate directly but is usually rendered spontaneity or self-so. The self-so is unconditioned and uninfluenced; it is nothing other than itself.This, in turn, i
16、s the ideal of the sage-ruler in the Tao Te Ching. He does not strive, he does not intervene, but acts in such a way that everyone throughout the country says, It happened of its own accord (tzu-jan).,Here are three of the major Taoist concepts: TE means power. The power of a thing is its virtue, it
17、s identity, its integrity. So the te of a person is their authentic self, or genuineness. Te is expressed through humility and meekness(温顺的;顺从的gentle and quiet). WU-WEI is a concept involving relaxing the conscious mind. It seeks the denial of anything personal and the dissolution of the conscious,
18、individual self. Wu-wei is best illustrated by water; it is supple yet strong, it flows over and fills what it encounters. It means to simply follow the way of nature. PU is a term which literally means “unpainted wood”. PU stresses the importance of simplicity and the need to leave things in their
19、natural state.,Oh So then what do Taoists believe?,Te,VirtuePowerFor Taoists . . . it is the means through which the Tao becomes manifest, actualized, and realized,What Is Wu Wei?,What Is Wu Wei?One of Taoisms most important concepts is wu wei, which is sometimes translated as “non-doing” or “non-ac
20、tion.” A better way to think of it, however, is as a paradoxical “Action of non-action.” Wu wei refers to the cultivation of a state of being in which our actions are quite effortlessly in alignment with the ebb and flow of the elemental cycles of the natural world. It is a kind of “going with the f
21、low” that is characterized by great ease and awake-ness, in which - without even trying - were able to respond perfectly to whatever situations arise.,The Choice to Relate To or Withdraw from SocietyHistorically, wu wei has been practiced both within and outside of existing social and political stru
22、ctures. In the Daode Jing, Laozi introduces us to his ideal of the “enlightened leader” who, by embodying the principles of wu wei, is able to rule in a way that creates happiness and prosperity for all of a countrys inhabitants. Wu wei has also found expression in the choice made by some Taoist ade
23、pts to withdraw from society in order to live the life of a hermit, wandering freely through mountain meadows, meditating for long stretches in caves, and so being nourished in a very direct way by the energy of the natural world.,The Highest Form of VirtueThe practice of wu wei is the expression of
24、 what in Taoism is considered to be the highest form of virtue one that is in no way premeditated, but rather arises spontaneously. In verse 38 of the Daode Jing (translated here by Jonathan Star), Laozi tells us:The highest virtue is to act without a sense of selfThe highest kindness is to give wit
25、hout a conditionThe highest justice is to see without a preferenceWhen Tao is lost one must learn the rules of virtueWhen virtue is lost, the rules of kindnessWhen kindness is lost, the rules of justiceWhen justice is lost, the rules of conduct,As we find our alignment with the Tao with the rhythms
26、of the elements within and outside of our bodies our actions are quite naturally of the highest benefit to all who we contact. At this point we have gone beyond the need for formal religious or secular moral precepts of any sort. We have become the embodiment of wu wei, the Action of non-action; as
27、well as of wu nien, the Thought of non-thought, and wu hsin, the Mind of non-mind. We have realized our place within the web of inter-being, within the cosmos, and knowing our connection to all-that-is can offer only thoughts, words and actions that do no harm, that are spontaneously virtuous.,Natur
28、alnessedit,Naturalness (Chinese:自然;pinyin:zrn;WadeGiles:tzu-jan; lit. self-such) is regarded as a central value in Taoism.54It describes the primordial state of all things55as well as a basic character of the Tao,56and is usually associated with spontaneity and creativity.5756To attain naturalness,
29、one has to identify with the Tao;56this involves freeing oneself from selfishness and desire, and appreciating simplicity.54An often cited metaphor for naturalness ispu(simplified Chinese:朴;traditional Chinese:樸;pinyin:p, p;WadeGiles:pu; lit. uncut wood), the uncarved block, which represents the ori
30、ginal nature. prior to the imprint of culture of an individual.58It is usually referred to as a state onereturnsto.59与美国超验主义有一些相似，return to nature, simple life.,Other Taoist Values,Rejection of self-assertiveness and competition“Standing on tiptoe you are unsteady” (24)Avoidance of aggression“If you
31、 want to grab the world and run it/I see that you will not succeed” (29)Naturalism, naturalness, simplicityRelativity,Say What?,In plain English:Taoists advocate a simple honest life and noninterference with the course of natural events Taoists dont like politics, administration, or elaborate ritual
32、s. So then how would you have government? Do not emphasize status, intelligence, or possessions. Govern with least visibility and with a serving attitude. Reduce laws and govern lightly. Take few actions that involve the people. Treat other countries non-aggressively. Taoists believe that the purpos
33、e of life is to live according to the Tao. That requires calmness, passiveness, and humility.,The Dao De Jing,The basic text of Daoism. In Chinese, it means The Classic in the Way and Its Power. “Those who speak know nothing: Those who know are silent.” These words, I am told, Were spoken by Laozi.
34、If we are to believe that Laozi, Was himself one who knew, How is it that he wrote a book, Of five thousand words?,1. Dao Tao is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life. 2. A believers goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature. “The butterfly or the man?” sto
35、ry. 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.,Major Daoist Principles,1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning. 2. Relying on
36、 the senses and instincts. 3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe. 4. Ignoring political and social laws.,The Dao Tao,To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by:,Yin,Masculine Active Light Warmth Strong Heaven; Sun,Feminine Passive Darkness Cold W
37、eak Earth; Moon,The Universe of Opposites:Find the Balance!,Yang,The Uniqueness of 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 avoi
38、d uniformity and conformity.,Some of the beliefs that are especially fundamental to Taoism:Chi: Chi is a fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy and culture.Death and Afterlife: In Taoism, life and death are merely two aspects of reality, the unchanging Tao. Death is simply a transformation from b
39、eing to non-being; from yang to yinImmortals: The spiritual beings of primary importance in religious Taoism are the Immortals (Xian in Chinese). Purpose of Life:The focus of most religious Taoism is attaining immortality.The Tao: The ultimate reality in Taoism is the Tao, or Way.,Chi (氣),Chi (also
40、spelled Chi or Qi) is a fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy and culture. Found in Chinese traditional religion but especially Taoism, Chi literally means air or breath, but as a concept it refers to the energy flow or life force that is said to pervade all things.The nature of chi has always b
41、een a matter of debate in Chinese thinking. Some believe chi is a separate force from the physical world, while others think chi comes from physical matter. Still others, especially Chinese Buddhists and Taoists, hold that matter arises from chi.The quality, quantity and balance of Chi is believed t
42、o be essential to maintaining health and achieving a long life. One author explains it this way:Qi is the basic material of all that exists. It animates life and furnishes functional power of events. Qi is the root of the human body; its quality and movement determine human health. There is a normal
43、 or healthy amount of qi in every person, and health manifests in its balance and harmony, its moderation and smoothness of flow. - Livia Kohn, Health and Long Life: The Chinese WayIn addition to living a healthy life (both physically and psychologically), Chi can be regulated through practices like
44、 breath control, Tai Chi, massage and acupuncture. Nearly all techniques in traditional Chinese medicine are based on the concept of Chi.,Breath control is considered especially fundamental to balancing the levels of Chi in ones body. Controlled and meditative breathing, called hsing-chi, allows chi
45、 to permeate the entire body by imagining the breath as a visible current moving through the body. Another type of breathing exercise, tai-hsi, attempts to revert ones breathing to that of an fetus in the womb. This is considered especially powerful for longevity and immortality (especially in Taois
46、m).The traditional Chinese art of placement and arrangement of space called Feng Shui is also based on the flow of chi, as well as the five elements, yin and yang and other factors. The retention or dissipation of chi is believed to affect the health, wealth, energy level, luck and many other aspect
47、s of the occupants of the space. Color, shape and the physical location of each item in a space affects the flow of chi by slowing it down, redirecting it or accelerating it, which directly affects the chi of the occupants. Regulating the flow of Chi for health and long life in Chinatown, Los Angele
48、s.,Taoist Immortals (仙),The spiritual beings of primary importance in religious Taoism are the Immortals (Xian in Chinese). First introduced in the Chuang-Tzu and perhaps intended by the author to be allegorical, these super-humans or perfected persons (chen jen) came to be worshipped and emulated b
49、y Taoists. Some even seek to locate them, in the hope of asking them their secret of immortality.In the Chuang-Tzu, these perfect beings dwell far away in an untroubled place, where they experience an effortless existence of physical freedom. They are ageless, eat nothing but air, drink nothing but
50、dew, and enjoy the power of flight. They exemplify the Taoist virtue of spontaneity - they are nothing other than their essential nature.,The Eight ImmortalsThese powerful beings are especially known and revered in the group of Eight Immortals, who are said to have been born in the Tang Dynasty (618
