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Module 13 Taoism for Distribution

The document provides an introduction to Taoism, highlighting key symbols such as Yin and Yang, and foundational texts like the Dao De Jing and the Book of Chuang Tzu. It outlines essential concepts and beliefs in Taoism, including the Dao as the creative principle, the importance of Wu-Wei (actionless activity), and the significance of Qi (life force). The teachings emphasize harmony with nature, humility, and the interconnectedness of opposites.

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21 views

Module 13 Taoism for Distribution

The document provides an introduction to Taoism, highlighting key symbols such as Yin and Yang, and foundational texts like the Dao De Jing and the Book of Chuang Tzu. It outlines essential concepts and beliefs in Taoism, including the Dao as the creative principle, the importance of Wu-Wei (actionless activity), and the significance of Qi (life force). The teachings emphasize harmony with nature, humility, and the interconnectedness of opposites.

Uploaded by

emmanmendoza591
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRODUCTION TO

World Religions
LESSON 5:
& Belief Systems
TAOISM

Fourth Quarter
SYMBOLS
1. Yin and Yang
o the most well-known
Daoist religious
symbol.
o it signifies the perfect
harmonic balance in
the universe.
o Ex: day and night, birth and
death
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

 Laozi (Lao-tzu), meaning “Old Master,” is


believed to have authored the Dao
De Jing (Tao te ching or The Book of the
Way and its Power), dating back to
around third century B.C.E.
 Taoism is the name given to the
ancient Chinese philosophy created
through the writings of Lao
Tzu.
SACRED SCRIPTURES

 Dao De Jing
 Taoism’s foundational text is
the Tao Te Ching or Dao De
Jing, meaning “The Book of the
Way and its Power.”
 Taoists regard the Tao Te Ching
as the essential guide to living
a full spiritual and ethical life.
 It has often been attributed to
Lao Tzu, but some believe that
it was a product of the
SACRED SCRIPTURES

 Book of Chuang Tzu/Zuangsi


 It is attributed to a man named
Zhuangzi, the second founder of
Daoism.
 It is a collection of the wisdom
of many different people.
 It consists of delightful
parables, metaphors, and
poetic passages, and is praised
for its high literary value which
represents the most significant
CONCEPTS/BELIEFS

 The Dao
 According to Laozi, the Tao, which is the essential
concept and creative principle in Taoism, existed before
the world.
 It is undetectable, indistinct, shapeless, and
indefinable, it is the foundation of all being, and
the way in which nature and the universe exist.
 All things come from it, and are nourished by it,
that is why sometimes the Tao is
called “Mother.”
 Tao is the origin of heaven and earth and it is
also the way in which heaven and
CONCEPTS/BELIEFS

 Deity/God (Dao as the origin of all beings)


 Daoism does not have a God, for Daoists believe
that the universe originated from the Dao,
which created and controls the universe
and distantly guides things on
their way.
 However, the Dao itself is not a God and is
not worshipped by the Daoists.
 Instead, they worship deities, who are gods
of a particular role, and they
traditionally worship Laozi
CONCEPTS/BELIEFS

 The De
 The Te, which means virtue or the proper
adherence to Tao, is another basic concept
in Taoism.
 It encourages inaction in nature and
advocates the quiet and passive nature
of a person so that the Tao, or the
creative principle in the universe,
may act through them without
interference.
CONCEPTS/BELIEFS

 The De
 Daoists believe that when a person becomes
peaceful, that person acquires
power to overcome all things without
having to compete with others.
 In line with this, humility and avoiding competition with
others are two virtues which Daoists value
most.
 Lastly, “contentment with what is” is another
expression of inaction in nature and non-
competition in emptiness.
 By following the way of nature, a person can
CONCEPTS/BELIEFS

 Wu-Wei
 Wu-wei means “no behavior” or “doing nothing.” It
also means “to do without doing” (wei-wu wei) or
“actionless activity.” It is a concept used to negate
or limit human action.
 It refers to the cancellation or restriction of human
behavior, especially human activities.
 Wu-wei may refer to certain stages such as non-
behavior or doing nothing; taking as
little action as possible; taking
action spontaneously; taking a passive attitude
toward society; waiting for the
CONCEPTS/BELIEFS

 Wu-Wei
 It advocates a “go with the flow” attitude by
cultivating a state of being wherein our actions
are in harmony with the natural cycles of the
universe.
 Laozi believed that wu-wei can lead to a peaceful
and harmonious society.
 The opposite of wu-wei, which is yu-wei, means
taking action, which Laozi believes causes
vicious actions, theft, and crime.
 Wu-wei, on the other hand, brings prosperity,
harmony, and peace.
CONCEPTS/BELIEFS
 Yin Yang
 The concept of yin yang was articulated by the Taoist
philosopher Zhuangzi. Yin yang emphasizes
complementarity, interconnectedness, and interdependence of
both sides seeking a new balance with each other.
 There are about 70 concepts of things in pair which
are listed in Laozi, and some of them
are: good and evil, long and short, bright and dark,
full and empty, lead and follow, strong and weak,
beauty and ugliness, difficult and easy, favor
and disgrace, superior and inferior, glory and
humility, masculine and feminine, increase and
decrease, offensive and defensive, and being and
CONCEPTS/BELIEFS

 Qi/Chi
 The qi refers to the natural energy or life force
that sustains living beings. Qi literally means “air”
or “vapor.”
 It is the fundamental substance of nature and
living beings, as well as life force. It refers to
matter, which is continuous,
energetic, and dynamic.
 It is sometimes translated as “material force” or
“vital force.” It is considered as the
foundation of body and life.
 Daoists believe that everything is made up of qi

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