1. Daoism (道) – means Dao “The Path”
Founder is Lao Tzu
His name means – “Old Master”
Very respected by Confucius
Served during the Zhou Dynasty
Became disillusioned by luxurious court life and traveled China
Believed that striving for power and wealth was unnatural for humans
Wrote Tao Te Ching – main text of Daoism
Explains the ideas of Yin and Yang
Disappeared into the mountains and was never seen again

2. Main Idea of Daoism
道可道，非常道。 (Tao (way or path) can be said, not usual way) "The Way that can be described is not the true Way."
名可名，非常名。 (names can be named, not usual names) "The Name that can be named is not the constant Name.“
The Tao, or Way, has never been put down in words; rather it is left for the seeker to discover within. Lao-tzu himself wrote, "The Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao."
Adherents of the faith are taught to see the Tao everywhere, in all beings and in all things
Picture of Laozi riding a water buffalo into the mountains… never to be seen again … or  (depending on your perspective)

3. Major Beliefs of Daoism
People should live in harmony with nature
Balance between both universe and humanity
People should lead simple, quiet, and plain lives
Reject material possessions and luxury
Non-action  no interfering in affairs of others
Rejection of politics and political organizations
For every action there is a good and bad reaction
Have to accept both the good and bad of others
Both exist everywhere equally and balance each other out
Reject all conflict in life  show love and compassion

4. Dao means “the path” and this guides us through the universe
Yin and Yang
YIN
YANG
Female
Dark
Weak
Passive
Earth
Confusion
Turmoil
Conservation
Water
Male
Bright
Strong
Active
Heaven
Peace
Serenity
Destruction
Fire
This begins with Daoism, but it is accepted/included in most Asian cultures (including Confucianism)
Dao means “the path” and this guides us through the universe
On “the path” one must keep things in balance or they will not have harmony

5. Four Main Aspects of Yin and Yang Relationship
Produces form
Produces energy
Grows
Generates
Substantial
Non-substantial
Matter
Energy
Contraction
Expansion
Descending
Rising
Below
Above
Water
Fire
Four Main Aspects of Yin and Yang Relationship
Yin-Yang are opposites
Interdependent: Cannot exist without each other
Mutual consumption of Yin and Yang Relative levels of Yin Yang are continuously changing. Normally this is a harmonious change, but when Yin or Yang are out of balance they affect each other, and too much of one can eventually weaken (consume) the other.
Inter-transformation of Yin and Yang – changing from one to other One can change into the other, but it is not a random event, happening only when the time is right.
For example: Spring only comes when winter is finished.