1. Lesson 3: Ways of Thinking & Living in China
Daoism and balance
Lesson 3: Ways of Thinking & Living in China
In the West, the religion is often referred to as Taoism and people talk about “the Tao” but this is a mistake caused by an old system of representing Chinese sounds in English. The correct pronunciation is Daoism and the Dao.

2. Laozi and the Dao De Jing
One of China’s three major religions/belief systems (along with Confucianism and Buddhism - to be studied in following lessons). The central figure of Daoism is Laozi, a philosopher who is supposed to have lived around the 6th century BCE (about the same time as Confucius), and who wrote the central text of Daoism known as the Dao de Jing

3. Dao
At the centre of Daoism is the concept of Dao or “the Dao”. It is impossible to translate Dao with a single word, though most people think it means “the way the universe works”. The first sentence of the Dao De Jing actually says that Dao is something that is beyond human definition. Essentially it is the natural rhythm and order of the universe which we should strive to stay in harmony with even though we cannot fully comprehend it.
“The Dao” means something like “the Way” - the natural rhythm and order of the universe, which we should try to feel and follow

4. Study this painting. Can you see the human figures?
What feelings do you get from looking at it?
Think Pair Share
One interpretation: we have our place in the natural world, but should not exaggerate our importance
Whispering Pines on a Mountain Path - Tang Yin ( )

5. According to Daoism, everything in nature - humans included - has its proper place and function
If we spend time understanding other things and their place in the Dao, we will come to understand ourselves better
Humans should not consider themselves bigger than Nature. Can you see the human figures in the painting and how small they are compared to the landscape around them?
Whispering Pines on a Mountain Path - Tang Yin ( )

6. Is this a good place or a bad place for a tree to grow? Pair share

7. Is this a good place or a bad place for a tree to grow?
According to Daoist thinking, it is neither good nor bad - but it is the right place for that tree

8. One of the ideas central to Daoism is Yin and Yang
One of the ideas central to Daoism is Yin and Yang. These are opposites that depend on one another: as light fades it becomes dark, and as dark lessens it becomes light – one cannot exist without the other.
Can you know that something is light, unless you can compare it to dark?
Think Pair Share

9. Balance between yin and yang is needed to achieve harmony in life.

10. The Yin-Yang principle is a fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy and culture.
The belief is that all natural things exist connected to their opposite: dark and light, male and female, old and young.
The opposites complement one another and each side has within it an element of the other (represented by the small dots).
An art project idea for drawing opposites can be found here:

11. Dao
Yin and Yang
Additional art projects can be found here:
Sketch these symbols into your books and try to write a sentence or two saying what you think they mean

12. Yang’s season is summer. Yang is masculine.
Yin is, amongst other things, feminine, dark, north, wet, passive, the moon, earth, cold, old, and even numbers.
Yin’s season is winter.
Yin is feminine.
Yang is masculine, white, light, south, fire, the sun, heaven, heat, youth, and odd numbers.
Yang’s season is summer.
Yang is masculine.
Spring and autumn are the matching seasons - when yin is declining and yang rising, and vice versa. Yin is female and Yang is masculine. What do pupils think of this interpretation?

13. Team Quiz Yin or Yang? Expanding Inwards Outwards Increasing Slow
Decreasing
Contracting
Fast

14. YIN YANG Inwards Contracting Decreasing Slow Outwards Expanding
Increasing
Fast

15. We are never just one thing, yin or yang – we are constantly changing……..
…….but if don’t have balance, we will fall

16. This balance is reflected in all parts of nature, including the human body, where it must be maintained to ensure good health.
Much of Traditional Chinese Medicine is aimed at maintaining or restoring the balance between yin and yang .

17. What do you think achieving “balance” in life might mean?
Discuss

18. Write a quick reflection on what achieving ‘balance in life’ means to you - then share with your team

19. The Dao De Jing contains much ancient Chinese wisdom
The Dao De Jing contains much ancient Chinese wisdom. What do you think these sayings mean?
When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?
The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.
Task: Each team member reads a quotation and says what it means to them - and then asks teammates to add their views

20. Quotations from Dao De Jing
The wise man is one who knows what he does not know.
Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.
A journey of 1000 miles begins where you stand.
When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly.

21. Quotations from Dao De Jing: select and copy one or two and explain underneath what they mean to you
When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?
The wise man is one who knows what he does not know.
Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.
A journey of 1000 miles begins where you stand.
The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.
The flame that burns twice as
bright burns half as long.

22. Dutch artist M C Escher may be exploring ideas of Yin and Yang in some of his work - why not try some of your own?