Daoism: Origin and Principles

• East Asian religions are concerned with preserving harmony between every being in the universe and believe there is a preordained appropriate place and pattern of behavior for everyone.

Origin of Daoism

• Daoism is a nature-based philosophy.
• Daoism observes nature, seeing the observer and the observed as one entire system.
• The goal of Daoists is to conform to the great pattern of nature, also called Dao, or "The Way".
• Daoism focuses on the great mysteries of the Dao as a philosophy.
• As a religion, Daoism's goal is to achieve long life and, ultimately, immortality.
• Daoism's name comes from the book Dàodéjĩng or Tao Te Ching, which translates to "Classic of the Way of Virtue".
• Lǎozĩ, which translates to “Old Master", is a Chinese philosopher-poet credited as the author of the Dàodéjĩng.
• Mahayana Buddhism became prevalent in China by the fourth century CE, initially coexisting peacefully with Daoism.
• Fierce struggles between Daoists and Buddhists for influence and control later arose, leading to mutual hostility and persecution.

Laozi

• Laozi translates to "Old Master".
• Laozi was an ancient Chinese philosopher and the founder of Daoism.
• Laozi is regarded as the author of the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching).
• Laozi worked as a government archivist.
• According to myth, Laozi was conceived by a shooting star and born of a virgin mother.
• Laozi's mother kept him in her womb for 82 years.
• It was said that Laozi was born with flowing hair, which signified that he would become a wise man.
• Becoming peaceful allows a person to acquire the power to overcome all things without competition.
• According to Laozi, contentment is the way to happiness.

Dàodéjĩng

• The Dàodéjĩng translates to "The Book of the Way and its Power".
• The Dàodéjĩng is foundational text of Daoism.
• The Dàodéjĩng is a collection of sayings and proverbs.
• The Dàodéjĩng expounds on the meaning of Dao.
• The Dàodéjĩng covers the accompanying concept of De, which is the power or virtue acquired by living in harmony with Dao.
• The Dàodéjĩng is the most influential piece of Chinese literature.
• The Dàodéjĩng declares that all human achievements are foolishness.
• The Dàodéjĩng is composed of slightly more than five thousand words contained in 81 chapters and is usually translated to a poetic form.
• The Dàodéjĩng focuses on the harmony of opposites within the peaceful flow of the Dao.
• The Dàodéjĩng adds the concept of the individual's relationship to nature and society.
• The Daodejing insists that it is best to let things take their natural course.
• Dao is the origin of all beings whose essence is nothing.

The Yin and Yang

• The universe operates as a balance between the yin and yang.
• The big circle in the Yin and Yang symbol signifies the Tao (Dao), the source of existence.
• The black and white teardrop-shaped halves of the Yin and Yang symbol signify the Yin-qi and Yang-qi.
• Yin-qi and Yang-qi are the primordial feminine and masculine energies, respectively.
• Daoists believe that the interplay of the Yin-qi and Yang-qi created the manifest world.
• Yang is the positive force in nature manifested in light, warmth, dryness, and maleness.
• Yin is seen in darkness, cold, dampness, and femaleness.
• Intrinsically related to the concepts of yan and ying is the Dao, a mysterious and indefinable force that is a harmonious union of these opposites.
• The Dao, as the ultimate source of all being, lies behind the basic unity underlying the universe.

The De

• De is often translated as 'virtue'
• De refers to a kind of power or energy that one gains by living in harmony with the Dao.
• De encourages inaction in nature.
• De advocates the quiet and passive nature of a person so that the Dao may act through them without interference.

Basic Principles of Daoism

• Life alone is the greatest of all possessions and must be preserved and enjoyed.
• Life is to be lived simply and as quietly as possible, in the ideal state characterized by childlike innocence.
• The Dao is the one true source of harmony and peace.
• Happiness is attained by discovering the Dao and living in harmony with it.
• Follow the ways of nature and simply let things be to achieve happiness.
• Daoism teaches that the best human being is one who lives in harmony with nature and with Dao, by being their natural, undistorted selves.
• The formula for a good life is wuwei or "nonaction", which also means to live and let live.
• When the mind is clear or empty or has achieved “nothingness”, one develops greater sensitivity to what is happening around them.
• The problem for humans is when they depart from the simple, natural way of the universe, which alienates them from the Dao and from other beings.
• This includes living and non-living beings, as well as human and nonhuman beings.

"Doing Without Doing"

Assignment

• Create a personal Yin-Yang symbol using materials at home and add personal or modern interpretations of balance in your life.
• Write a short paragraph explaining the design and how it relates to Daoism and your life.