Taoism (Daoism)

Sources: [POLL, Chapter 11, pp. 123-132]

It started as a philosophy based on the book Tao Te Ching or Classic Way of Power attributed to Lao-tzu (Lao-zi). Supposedly he lived during Zhou dynasty, around 600-300 BCE. Taoism focuses on the individual as opposed to Confucianism that focuses on social organization. A key concept is to let things be, let yin and yang be in harmony. Civilization upsets the balance of yin and yang. Qi is the vital matter that makes up everything. Qi is manifested in two forms: yin (dark, moist, inert, cold, soft, feminine) and yang (bright, dry, growing, warm, hard, masculine). All things consist if yin and yang in varying proportions.

Chuang-tzu (369-286 BCE) is considered the most significant Taoist writer (p. 128). Two of his stories:

"A drunk could fall from a moving carriage without hurting himself, while a sober person would be injured. The drunk is "united" and his body reacts naturally. The sober person perceives danger and tenses becoming vulnerable."

When he was dying he told his disciples not to make any preparations. When they told him that crows and buzzards might eat him he replied: "Above the ground are the crows and the buzzards, below the ground is the worms and the ants. Why do you wish to take from one and give to the other?"

The second story strikes a similar note as a story by the Greek cynic philosopher Diagones. Tao has similarities to the ides of the Cynics. http://www.fsmitha.com/h1/phil-tao.htm is titled: "Taoists - China's Cynics." Note that Confucius is often compared to Plato!

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism]

Taoism (modernly Daoism) is a philosophical, ethical, and religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao). The term Tao means "way", "path" or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source and the driving force behind everything that exists. It is ultimately ineffable: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."

Institutionalized forms have evolved over time in the shape of a number of different schools. Taoist schools traditionally feature reverence for Laozi, immortals or ancestors, along with a variety of divination and exorcism rituals, and practices for achieving ecstasy, longevity or immortality.

Taoist propriety and ethics may vary depending on the particular school, but in general tends to emphasize wu-wei (action through non-action), "naturalness", simplicity, spontaneity, and the Three Treasures: compassion, moderation, and humility.

Aspects of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism were consciously synthesized in the Neo-Confucian school, which eventually became Imperial orthodoxy for state bureaucratic purposes under the Ming (1368–1644). The Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), however, much favored Confucian classics over Taoist works. During the 18th century, the imperial library was constituted, but excluded virtually all Taoist books. By the beginning of the 20th century, Taoism had fallen much from favor (for example, only one complete copy of the Daozang still remained, at the White Cloud Monastery in Beijing).

Today, Taoism is one of five religions (the others are Buddhism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism) recognized by the People's Republic of China. The government regulates its activities through the Chinese Taoist Association. Taoism is freely practiced in Taiwan, where it claims millions of adherents.

Samples from the work of Lao Tzu

[Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching, transl. and comm. by B. C. Lau, Penguin Classics, 1963]

I.1The way that can be spoken of is not the constant way;

I.3 Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe its [The Way] secrets.
But always allow yourself desires in order to observe its manifestations.

XVII. 39 The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects. Next comes the ruler they love and praise; Next comes one they fear; Next comes one with whom they take liberties.

XX. 44 Exterminate learning and there will no longer be worries.

XXVI. 59 The heavy is the root of the light; The still is the lord of the restless.

XXXVI. 80 The fish [ruler] must not be allowed to leave the deep [power]; The instrument of power in a state must not be revealed to anyone.

XXXVIII. 82 A man of the highest virtue does not keep to virtue and that is why he has virtue. A man of the lowest virtue nevers strays from virtue and that is why he is without virtue.

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