Daoism Vocabulary Ch'i (Qi) – the flow of energy in the Dao. Qi is often translated "natural energy", "life force", or "energy flow". Qi is basis for traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts. Dao – Chinese term for ultimate reality, the Way, Nature, or God. Similar to Brahman in Hinduism and Dharma and Nirvana in Buddhism, the Dao is the elemental substance or fundamental essence of the universe, the inexpressible source of the universe Daoism – the way. The belief that there is a natural order by which people can live in harmony with nature.  Those who follow Daoism try to harmonize their life with the Dao. Daoist deities include nature spirits, ancient legendary heroes, planets and stars that have been anthropomorphized. The most important god is Yu Huang-ti (theJade Emperor) who is associated with the ancient Chinese god Shang Di.

Daoism Vocabulary Dao De Jing – Foundational literature of Daoism attributed to Lao Tzu, The Dao De Jing explains how to live life according to the Dao. Feng Shui – Metaphysical laws that determine how we should design and arrange our living spaces. These arrangements follow the patterns of yin and yang and the flow of energy (qi). I-Ching – Book of Changes. One of the oldest Chinese books. The I- Ching is a system of divination. Laozi (800 B.C.) – developed Chinese philosophy known as “Daoism” which is found in Laozi’s writings, called the book of Dao De Jing or The Way and Its Power. T’ai chi – Chinese martial art to help people maximize their health.

Daoism Vocabulary Wu-wei – the Daoist teaching that we can succeed if we proceed without struggle or to bend with the wind. The central teaching of Wu Wei is quietude. Yin-Yang – a way to describe how opposite or contrary energies in nature are interconnected and interdependent. Zhuangzi – (369-286 BC) leading Daoist philosopher.

Vocabulary for Confucianism Analects of Kong Fuzi – Confucian writings attributed to Kong fuzi. Ancestor worship – honoring the dead and avoiding their displeasure, with home shrines, gravesites, prayers, and offerings to avoid bad luck. Ancestor worship spread in Zhou Dynasty (1122- 256 BC) when in addition to praying to Shang Di people also prayed to their ancestors. Filial piety – Respect owed to one's parents and ancestors. Five relations of Kong Fuzi – Kong Fuzi taught five types of relationships: the relationship between father and son, the relationship between husband and wife, the relationship between elder brother and younger brother, the relationship between elder friend and younger friend, and the relationship between emperor and subject. Five virtues of Kong Fuzi – 1) Ren is the virtue of benevolence, charity, and humanity; 2) Yi is the virtue of honesty and uprightness. Yi includes zhong or loyalty and shu or reciprocity treat others as you would like them to treat you; 3) Zhi is the virtue of knowledge; 4) Xin is the virtue of truthfulness; and Li is the virtue of correct behavior especially in society.

Vocabulary for Confucianism Han Feizi – Chinese philosopher who developed the legalistic teaching of the School of Law. Han Feizi was part of the ruling aristocracy and his relatives were members of the ruling class. Jade Emperor – ruler of Heaven. Junzi – (lord's son) Kong Fuzi taught ethical values by using an imaginary person called the junzi which he used to describe an ideal person. The junzi could be translated as "gentleman", "superior person" or "exemplary person". The junzi exhibits li in all his/her relationships. The junzi also exhibits ren. Li – The principles of harmony that should rule in society, especially between the members of a family, citizens of a nation, and between ruler and subjects. Li includes Confucian rituals, courtesy, and propriety. K’ung Fu Tzu (c. 551-479 BC) – Ancient founder of major Chinese ethical system recorded in the Analects, stressing honorable behavior.

Mozi (479 to 381 B. C. ) taught that we should love all people Mozi (479 to 381 B.C.) taught that we should love all people. Mozi’s teachings challenged Confucianism and Daoism and was successful until it was replaced by the legalism of Hans Feizi. His moral teachings emphasized self-reflection rather than obedience to ritual. He believed that the best teacher in life is adversity. Mozi taught people to lead a life of self-restraint and asceticism. Neo- Confucianism – new ideas of Confucianism popularized by Zhu Xi (1130–1200) who incorporated some Buddhist ideas into the teachings of Kong Fuzi. Ren – the Confucian virtue of benevolence and kindness towards others especially along the five relationships. Ru – the Chinese scholars called Mandarins. Shang Di – ruler of heaven during Shang Dynasty.

Shu – sometimes translated as “reciprocity”, is similar to the concept of the golden rule—do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Shu helps us know how to live in harmony. Tian – “heaven”. During the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC), Shangdi was worshipped then during the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC), Tian (heaven) replaced the concept of Shangdi. Mandarins – A high public official of imperial China also called “Ru”. Mandate of Heaven – Tian Ming the divine right for rulers to rule. Mencius – (372-289 B.C.) second greatest Chinese Confucian philosopher who believed that human nature was basically good. Ming dynasty – The imperial dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644 BC. Xunzi – (298-238 B.C.) an important Confucian teacher believed that man is inherently evil.

Confucian Vocabulary Zhu Xi – (1130–1200 BC) Neo-Confucianist who added Buddhist ideas into the teachings of Kong Fuzi. Zhongyong (Chung yung) – Confucian philosophy. Chung means “straight and unbent”, and yung means “unchanging”. The goal of Zhongyong is to keep your balance and stay in harmony with the yourself, others, and the dao.