Daoism

The way of the universe

Daoism

• Philosophy of Daoism has died out mostly, but has influenced Buddhism (Meditation school) and influences Japanese religion

• “Teachings of the Dao”, a more religious aspect, with spirits and rituals, survives in Taiwan and other Chinese communities (though dormant in People’s Republic of China). Hereditary Daoist priests conduct rituals.

Daoism

• Lao Zi (“the old Master”) is the legendary founder of Daoism. Questions abound whether he existed.

• According to 3 BCE biography, Lao Zi was born in 604 BCE, took a government post as an adult.

• But he left his position as an archivist because government and laws distort simplicity of how humans should live.

Daoism

• Withdrew from society, but besieged by visitors. So decided to leave society all together

• Passed through the western gate and disappeared…

• But before he disappeared, the gate keeper convinced him to write down his philosophy of life.

Dao De Jing

• This philosophy is now known as the Dao De Jing, though originally known as Lao Zi, so legend of author may have been created for the book

• Along with Bhagavad Gita, one of the great religious literature classics

• May have been written during Warring States period, 350-275 BCE

• Short work, with 81 brief chapters

Dao De Jing

• May have been originally a how-to-run-a-government guide, but now interpreted with deeper, philosophical meanings

• Politically, a failure, since no Chinese government ever used it

• Impact has been its teachings of natural, simple living

Daoism

• Zhuang Zi (“Master Chuang” or “Chuang Tzu”), legendary, 3 BCE author of book of same name

• Zhuang Zi is second in importance after Dao De Jing

• Says Dao can not be understood rationally, one must let go of knowledge and words to live harmoniously.

• Original, natural equality of all things

Daoism

• Dao De Jing and Zhuang Zi seem to suggest immortality for those who live in harmony with Dao

• So religious branch of Daoism rises. By second century CE, organized Daoist religious movement, focusing on pursuit of immortality and well-being (still continues today).

Daoism

• Religious Daoism: humans are microcosm of universe

• Philosophical Daoism: Unmanifest Dao is source of all reality, result of yin and yang forces interacting

• Religious Daoism: emphasizes breath (qi or ch’i), creates yin/yang dynamic. But when qi divides yin and yang, death and disharmony occur. Harmony means life.

Daoism

• Religious Daoism: if one can keep the proper balance, qi will never dissipate, and a person can become a hsien (immortal being).

• Different ways to immortality: alchemy, elixir, hygienic and dietary regime (food from five elements), breath control and sexual practices

Daoism

• Daoists movements in second century competed, some militarily, believing a new age of Dao was coming.

• Various Daoist schools and indiviudal communities organized and competed against each other for influence.

Daoism

• Religious Daoism has an elaborate hierarchy of spiritual beings, organized on bureaucratic model of the Han Dynasty

• Unmanifest Dao• Primordial chaos or

breath (qi)• Three Officials (Jade

emperor, Lao Zi and the Marshal of supernatural beings

• Divine ministries in nine heavens

• Demons, ancestors, humans and animals

Daoism worldview

• “He who knows does not speak; he who is (ever ready to) speak about it does not know it.” – Dao De Jing

• All humans, like a reality, are part of the cosmic process known as Dao and yin and yang forces. Yield to the Dao for harmonious life. Be one with the Dao

• Resisting flow of Dao, disharmony, when we try to establish our own, separate IDs

Daoism worldview

• When one succumbs to illusion of unique, permanent self, fall victim to desire and craving. Dao eventually rolls over those types.

• Goal is harmony with Dao, seeing both life and death as part of eternal Dao. Life is unending, so actually, there is no real “goal,” because that involves striving.

Daoism worldview

• Action with out assertion, motionless movement, inactive action, etc…. (wu wei)

• “Be yourself.”• In governments, noninterference. In

education, not seek knowledge actively, but be passively open and receptive.

• Dao is the “way,” but can not be touched, named, felt, desired (nameless and eternal Dao) River analogy.

Modern Daoism

• Religious Daoism found mainly in Taiwan and Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore (and Chinese parts of San Francisco)

• Daoist monasteries were closed in People’s Republic of China, but individual Daoist practices – “hell notes” and tai-ch’i – still practiced, as well as feng shui

Modern Daoism

• In East Asia, philosophical Daoism largely absorbed into meditation school of Buddhism.

• Dao De Jing, though, still exists and read in East and West