Daoism/Taoism

On a separate page: Religion checklist: Buddhism Daoism

AIM: Is Taoism a real religion? DO NOW: (in your notebook) What do you think is the meaning of this symbol? Good and bad, little circle is bad in good and good in bad

You all know a little about Taoism already…. Star Wars! SHOW CLIP OF YODA EXPLAINING THE FORCE (Daoism) substitute force as Daoism

Lao Zi [Lao-Tzu] His name means “Old Master” Not sure when he died. [604 B.C.E. - ?] His name means “Old Master”

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 were spoken by Lao Zi. wrote a book, Of five thousand words?

Major Daoist Principles 1. Dao [Tao] It is a force that flows through all life. (Think Yoda and the Force) 2. A believer’s goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature. 3. Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course.” --> “The art of doing nothing.” --> “Go with the flow!” 4. Man is unhappy because he lives by man-made laws, customs, & traditions that are contrary to the “ways of nature.” Key point: we have been talking about how great civilization have been, leisure lime, what are some great things again? Daoist’s think of the exact opposite man is unhappy because he lives from manmade laws. If we live in a state of nature we would be happier- go out for a walk central park fresh air walking around

CREATION Taoists believe that there is no one creator In the beginning, there was only chaos, or a void, called Wuji. Void= nothingness

Then from the void (Wuji) the universe came into being.

Then came the energies of yin and yang which combined to create what is called Qi Yin dark cold / yang light hot the Qi is the force (big bang theory –science) nothing and then there was something

The concept of the joining of yin and yang is often compared to the big bang theory.

The "Dao" [Tao] To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by: 1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning. (Such as everything you’re doing right now) 2. Relying on instincts. 3. Ignoring political and social laws. 3. Joke – stop sign, I don’t care about stop sign We are suppose to respect all laws ( I don't want to do hw, what would I say)

The Universe of Opposites: Find the Balance! Yin Masculine Active Light Warmth Strong Heaven; Sun Feminine Passive Darkness Cold Weak Earth; Moon Does any one have a problem with this? WHY IS THERE A LITTLE BIT OF BLACK AND WHITE IN EACH OPPOSITE? (ANSWER: all good has some bad and vice versa) Yang

How is a person to live in a world dominated by suffering?? Buddhism --> 8 Fold Path Taoism --> Freedom for individuals and less gov’t.

Want to learn more about Taoism? READ IT

Now it’s your turn! Use your religion checklist Decide if Taoism is a real religion Then use the Venn Diagram to Compare/Contrast Buddhism and Taoism

Homework: Journal #35: 1. Complete the religion checklist (graphic organizer) 2. Is Daoism really a religion? ( 1 paragraph)