Saturday, January 15, 2011

SUMMARY

Taoism is a philosophy that became a religion. It emphasizes harmony, especially between opposites. It believes in one universal, indefinable, all-permeating life force and calls it the Tao. It is also a very peaceful way of life, although not a pacifist way. They believe in fighting if it is absolutely necessary, like a last resort.
Posted by at

YIN/YANG

 The Yin/Yang is a symbol of Taoism since it represents harmony of opposites, how one gives way to another and how you cannot have one without the other. “It represents the balance of opposites in the universe. When they are equally present, all is calm. When one is outweighed by the other, there is confusion and disarray.” Because nothing is completely opposite of another thing, there is a spot of yin in the yang and of yang in the yin. The swirling nature of the Yin and Yang represents change.

Picture: The T’ai Chi T’u. It is an illustration of the Yin and Yang principle. (Gia Fu Feng, English, and Knierim). Although I have heard it more commonly called the “Yin/Yang” symbol.


 

Posted by at

GOOD and EVIL

There are two ways of looking at this:
One is a concept and sees the interdependence of all opposites. It says we should not hold a position of good against evil. One or the other cannot eventually stamp out the other or “win” because if you don’t have one what is the other? If there is no evil, what defines “good”?
The second is a reality. All actions contain some aspect of each. The Yin/Yang symbol is a great representation of this. “Any attempt to go toward either extreme of the continual balance between yin and yang will be ineffective, self-defeating, and short-lived.” (Rasmussen). “The [wise] person knows any evil will soon be replaced with good, the fool is forever fruitlessly trying to eliminate evil.” (Rasmussen).
Posted by at

HISTORY

Taoism started as a combination of psychology and philosophy in China thousands of years ago. Its main text was estimated to be written in about 500 BCE by Lao Tzu. In 440 CE it was adopted as a state religion and became a religious faith. In the Ch’ing Dynasty 1911, the state support for Taoism ended. The next period of time was one of warlordism which destroyed much of the Taoist heritage. In 1949, with the Communist victory, religious freedom was severely restricted. Monks were put to manual labour and their number reduced to about 50 000 from the several million it had been by 1960. The temples were confiscated and the treasures in them plundered. Most of the remainder of Taoist heritage was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution from 1966-1976. Under Deng Xiao-ping, from 1982 to the present some religious tolerance and freedom was gained.
Posted by at

SALVATION/ULTIMATE GOAL

Taoism believes salvation is not necessary. There is nothing one needs to be saved from. Belief in salvation leads to belief in damnation (what else to be saved from?) and since Taoists don’t believe in damnation either why would they need salvation?
Instead their goal in life is to “Live simply in harmony with the Tao and not excessively pursue material wealth, stature, or prestige, and it will lead to a joyful life.” (Rasmussen).
“Even death has no particular meaning to Taoists.” (Rasmussen). Life and death are merely two aspects of a single reality. Ones life comes from the oneness (Tao) and goes back into it. (Exposing Satanism). One finds answers to life’s problems by inner meditation and outer observation rather than praying to a god who can hear and act, like some other religions.
Posted by at

POSITION on CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

Positions on contemporary issues such as abortion, homosexuality, divorce, and social-betterment are not clearly stated in the ancient texts. Any stance on an issue would be considered a “conceptual abstraction” and has little usefulness. Modern scientific discoveries have not contradicted any Taoist beliefs either. (Rasmussen).
Posted by at

INFLUENCE on OTHER RELIGIONS

Taoist followers often identify with other religions especially two that are found in Taoism’s origin country; Buddhism and Confucianism. In fact when Buddhism was introduced into China it was mistaken as a new form of Taoism so the Chinese understanding of Buddhism concepts.
Posted by at

LAO TZU

Not much is known about Lao Tzu but that he is associated with the start of Taoism. He is believed to have lived from 604 -531 BCE, a lifetime which overlaps with that of Confucius, but no one knows for sure if he was real or not, or even lived within that time frame. He had been searching for a way to avoid fighting and ended up writing the “Tao te Ching”. After Taoism became a religion, people decided to venerate Lao Tzu as a deity.
Posted by at

SCRIPTURES




Picture: (Gia Fu Feng, English, and Knierim).




“These writings provide excellent counsel on how to achieve this state of connedtedness, harmony and balance, and union with the Tao.” (Kardash).
  • The Tao te Ching (Classic of the Way and its Power) by Lao Tzu.
  • An untitled writing by Chuang Tzu. It is a commentary on Lao Tzu’s writing.
Posted by at

ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS of TAO TE CHING

http://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/taote.htm
http://www.thebigview.com/download/tao-te-ching-illustrated.pdf
Posted by at

NUMBER of FOLLOWERS WORLDWIDE

The correct number, or even a good estimate, of how many followers of Taoism there are in the world is near impossible to obtain. It is guessed that there are approximately 225 million Chinese traditional religions with Taoist influence, 20 million in Taiwan, 30 000 in North America, and 1720 in Canada. (Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance).
Posted by at

ARTS

>Wu wei – It literally means “no action”. It practices letting nature take its course and moving by not moving. They practice minimal action, particularly as little violent action as possible. But it is not about lazing around and doing nothing. Instead of going against a stream by wading upriver, the art of wu-wei says to simply stand still instead.
>Tai chi – “Chi” is the natural energy in ones body. Tai chi balances the chi and heals illnesses caused by blockages/lack of balance in the body’s chi.
Posted by at

TAOISM in DREEMS TEMPLATE

Doctrinal
Lao te Ching by Lao Tzu, unwritten work by Chuang Tzu.
Ritual
None.
Experiential
Being in harmony with the life-force (Tao).
Ethical
Do not be greedy, power-hungry, or arrogant.
Mythic (Narrative)
Some parables and/or stories of Lao Tzu’s life.
Material
T’ai Chi, Wu-wei. (Physical arts/techniques that have Taoist origin.)
Social (Institutional)
Lao Tzu writer of main text, Chuang Tzu writer of commentary on main text.

Picture: T'ai Chi moves. (Pro Info).


Picture: T'ai Chi representation. (Eastern Qigong Healing Center).


Picture: Copy of the Tao te Ching (The Bond Group).


Picture: Lao Tzu (Osho).


Picture: Chuang Tzu (English Eastday).
Posted by at

5 BIG QUESTIONS: TAOISM vs. CHRISTIANITY

QUESTION
TAOISM
CHRISTIANITY
What is the ultimate reality/Supreme Power?
Tao.
God.
What is the nature of the world? (Freedom vs. Destiny/Fate?)
Harmony.
Freedom because one can affect ones life by choosing the act a certain way.
Sinful/fallen.
Freedom because one is given a choice to do right/wrong.
Where do I/people fit in the universe?
We are parts of the Tao, a part of an interconnected whole.
We are stewards of creation (the whole world). We are existant to glorify God.
What is humanity’s primary problem (and its solution)?
Excessive pursuit of wealth, stature or prestige.
Sin. Believe in Jesus Christ and your sins are forgiven.
What happens after death?
Death is not a big deal. One rejoins the Tao (life-force).
One is judged by God and goes either to heaven or to hell based on ones life on earth.
Posted by at

OTHER

One should be kind to others in part because that action tends to be reciprocated because humanities nature is compassionate. Left to their own devices people will show compassion without expectation of a reward or payment.

Taoism inspired a love of nature and an occasional retreat to it to be away from the care and worries of this world to rest and heal. It also inspired an intense affirmation of life: physical life – health, well being, vitality, longevity, and even immortality. (Chrystal).
Posted by at

ALTERNATE SPELLINGS

Lao Tzu / Lao Tse / Laozi / Laotze / Lao Tze
Chuang Tzu / Chuang Tse
Tao te Ching / Dao de Jing / Tao teh Ching
Tao / Dao
Posted by at

WORKS CITED

Websites and Books
Chrystal, Ellie. "Taoism - Crystalinks." Crystalinks Home Page. 1995. Web. 06 Jan. 2011. http://www.crystalinks.com/taoism.html.
DesRivieres, Dennis, and Don Quinlan. Exploring World Religions: the Canadian Perspective. Don Mills, Ont.: Oxford UP, 2001. Print.
Gia Fu Feng, Jane English, and Thomas Knierim. "The Tao Te Ching." The Big View. 10 June 2010. Web. 6 Jan. 2011.
      http://www.thebigview.com/download/tao-te-ching-illustrated.pdf.
Halverson, Dean C. The Illustrated Guide to World Religions. Bloomington, MN: Bethany House, 2003. Print.
Kardash, Ted. "Taoism - Ageless Wisdom for a Modern World (continued)." Taoism - Ageless Wisdom for A Modern World. Jade Dragon Online. Web. 06 Jan. 2011. http://www.jadedragon.com/tao_heal/lao_tzu1.html.
Lao Tzu, and J. Legge. "Tao Te Ching - Translated by J. Legge." Internet Sacred Text Archive Home. Evinity Publishing INC, 2011. Web. 06 Jan. 2011.
      http://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/taote.htm.
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. "TAOISM." ReligiousTolerance.org by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. 3 June 1995. Web. 01 Jan. 2011. http://www.religioustolerance.org/taoism1.htm.
Rasmussen, Jeff. "What Taoists Believe- Beliefnet.com." Inspiration, Spirituality, Faith, Religion.- Beliefnet.com. Digitaria, 2008. Web. 13 Jan. 2011.
     http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2001/06/What-Taoists-Believe.aspx.
"Taoism: All in One and One in All?" Exposing Satanism Witchcraft and the New World Order. Web. 07 Jan. 2011. http://www.exposingsatanism.org/taoism.htm.
"Taoism." TheDeathKnight.com. Web. 19 Jan. 2011. http://www.thedeathknight.com/Personal/Taoism.html.
Thursby, Gene R. "Taoism - Introductions to Taoism or Daoism." Virtual Libraries at VL-Site.Org in Cooperation with the World Wide Web Virtual Library. The World Wide Web Virtual Library, 2009. Web. 01 Jan. 2011.
      http://www.vl-site.org/taoism/intros.html.
Waldman, Steven, and Robert Nylen. "What Taoists Believe- Beliefnet.com." Inspiration, Spirituality, Faith, Religion.- Beliefnet.com. Digitaria, 28 Dec. 1999. Web. 01 Jan. 2011. http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2001/06/What-Taoists-Believe.aspx.







Images
DeBusk, Michael. "Platform Skills at NLPhilia Blog." NLPhilia Blog. 31 Oct. 2009. Web. 14 Jan. 2011. http://nlphilia.net/category/platform-skills/.
Eastern Qigong Healing Center. "Essence Tai Chi - Gaithersburg, Rockville, Germantown, Potomac, Bethesda." Easternhealingcenter.com. 2009. Web. 19 Jan. 2011. http://www.easternhealingcenter.com/En/essence_tai_chi.htm.
English Eastday. "Taoism Laozi & Chuang Tzu." Eastday. 2010. Web. 19 Jan. 2011. http://english.eastday.com/e/zx/userobject1ai4040916.html.
Gia Fu Feng, Jane English, and Thomas Knierim. "The Tao Te Ching." The Big View. 10 June 2010. Web. 6 Jan. 2011.
http://www.thebigview.com/download/tao-te-ching-illustrated.pdf.  
Osho. "Osho Story on Lao Tzu & His Donkey, Lao Tzu & Wise Donkey Story." Buddha Teachings Discourses of Buddha, Ramana, Ramakrishna, Shankara, Lao Tzu Gurdjieff. Web. 19 Jan. 2011.
      http://www.messagefrommasters.com/Stories/Wisdom/Lao_Tzu_and_His_Donkey.htm
Pro Info. "Club`s Id - Tai Chi Sun." Tai Či Sun - Početna Strana. Web. 19 Jan. 2011.
      http://www.taichi-sun.com/en/about_us.php.
The Bond Group. "Victor Bond » 2010 » August." THE BOND GROUP. 2010. Web. 19 Jan. 2011. http://bondgroup.us/victorbond/2010/08/.



Posted by at

ABOUT THE BLOG

Made January 15, 2011 by A. Bruulsema. *this is a high school project. All information comes from the websites in the works cited above.
Posted by at
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)