 Objectives: Students will be able to explain the main beliefs of Taoism and Confucianism.  Question: Explain the idea of the 4 Noble Truths.  Agenda: Notes- Taoism and Confucianism due today February 6, 2014

Taoism (dow’ism) Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. ~Lao Tse

 Also means path or the way  Both a Philosophy and a religion and a way of understanding the universe  Along with Buddhism and Confucianism it’s one of the three greatest religions of China  Does not refer to any specific incarnation of God.  Protecting Nature is favored  Each person focuses on the world around them in order to understand the inner harmonies of the universe.  Religious system kind of focused on meditation and contemplation  Emphasis on individual freedom and three jewels: love, moderation, and humility What is Taoism?

 Founded in 604 B.C.  Founder was Lao-Tse (“Old Master”) who was searching for a way would avoid the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that disrupted society during his lifetime, he was dedicated to balancing his inner spirit. (Also Historical leader)  Because of this he wrote a book Tao-Te-Ching where he focuses on a realistic path of humanity to follow which would end the warfare. Founder/Founded/Sacred Writings

 Practiced in China and 31,389,000 believers  Holy Places include Kiangsi and various holy mountains such as Mt. Wudang (Mt. Supreme- Harmony) Believers/Practiced/Holy Places

 The Supreme Being is Jade Emperor is the ultimate ruler of all heavens (of which the Chinese have over 30)  Mainly the Taoist ruler of Heaven-most powerful dominator Supreme Being

 It represents the balance of opposites in the universe- when they are equally present all is calm but when one is outweighed by the other there is confusion and disarray.  Yin is the quiet female, a receiving force that is associated with earth, the earth is the source of life providing us with what we need to survive  Yang is the strong male giving force that is associated with heaven, the heaven above us always in motion and brings about change  The dots inside the black and white halves indicate that within each is the seed of the other and neither can exist without the other. Symbol-Yin Yang

Yin Dark, Night Odd Numbers The moon Decreasing Conservative Soft River Tiger Psychological Rain, water Intuition Yang Day Light Even Numbers The sun Increasing Innovative Hard Mountain Dragon Physical Fire, Heat Intellect

 Explain the concept of the yin and the yang Final 3