Daoism Analysis

As turmoil spread across China people sought to find peace and order. As 500 B.C. and 200 B.C. passed three philosophers tried to seek ways to spread peace. Confucianism, Daoism and Legalism were the philosophers solutions. Villages fell as armies sent to destroy neighboring enemies. As the Period of the Warring States commenced thousands of people died in battles they never wanted to fight. As the clashed went on, Confucius, Laozi, and Hanfeizi created three major theories developed.

In “The Daodejing,” Laozi, similar to many prominent Chinese philosophers before and after his time, discusses his unique perspective of the “Way.” There is much controversy, however, regarding whether Laozi was the actual author of this text or was even a real person, and “his” work is thought to have been a composite. (For the purpose of clarity, throughout this paper, the author(s) of “The Daodejing” will be mentioned as Laozi.) Laozi’s vision of the “Way” is exceptionally challenging to define using words because of its metaphysical nature. Although this term is somewhat difficult to envision, it is what mankind should aspire and take action to be aligned with. According to Laozi, in “readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy,” the “Way” (or dao) is the “source, sustenance, and ideal state of all things in the world” (Laozi 158). It can be best thought of as the underlying guiding force of all events that occur in the universe, and mankind is closer to the “Way” when they realize that all things are interconnected and have an effect on one another. As might be expected, this vague definition isn’t a foolproof depiction of the eighty-one chapters in the “Daodejing,” but one is able to grasp a basic understanding of Laozi’s ineffable doctrine. Although numerous chapters are meaningful and could provide substantial analysis, this paper will focus in on Chapter Twelve. Ultimately, this chapter adequately and efficaciously compresses the teachings of “The Daodejing” into

Lao Tzu is the father of Daoism, and his book was a philosophical writing, which was mainly about the nature and philosophy of life. Lao Tzu is the first person who answered to the problem of the origin of the universe. Lao Tzu believed that before all things in the universe were occurred, the Dao, which means the road, were naturally existed already. Lao Tzu states, “there was something formless and perfect before the universe was born…Eternally present. It is the mother of the universe…I call it the Tao” (Ch 25). Lao Tzu also explains how the universe generated by stating that “the Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to Two. Two gives birth to Three. Three gives birth to all things” (Ch 42).

He had revolutionary ideas about new relationships and government, different from many things that the Chinese people had ever seen. Another major belief system in Classical China was Legalism, which was technically a branch of Confucianism, and was surprisingly extremely popular (Carr). Legalism was very strict and built a code of law. The laws were generally harsh and discriminatory to women. Confucianism was the more popular and long lasting of the two. Daoism was also a notable belief system in the Classical Chinese time period. A possibly fictional philosopher and thinker named Lao Tzu created it. Daoism is partially a philosophy, but partially a religious faith just like most belief systems in this time. Daoists were much like present-day hippies due to their firm belief in the spirit world. Much like Confucianism and Legalism, this new idea was absolutely revolutionary and the Chinese loved it. They believed that respectfulness to the forces in everyday life and respectfulness to ancestors was the secret to being happy and free. While Confucianism argued that order was the only way for true peace, Daoist thought that ancestral veneration was the way for peace (Carr). These religious

Daoism originated in China and was created by Lao Tzu. In Daoism, Dao is the concept used to explain the origin of all things. Dao is the oldest living thing in the universe; it has no desires and is eternal. The

The main sign that links to Daoism is the Ying Yang symbol. The yin signifies the male, and the yang embodies the female. When looking closely you see each side of the symbol has a part of its counterpart. The believe structure is to live in a state of calmness, passiveness and modesty. Daoist do not agree with intrusions of society such as policies, government, or extravagant rituals. They enjoy residing in rural areas, do not like living next to society, and do not highlight status, aptitude, or people assets. The ultimate goal of a Daoism is to become a Sage or a wise man. Once this goal is met, you are considered to be one with nature and are heavenly. The model being in metaphysical Daoism is the sage that not only comprehends, but lives in harmony with the Dao. All opposites are relative and interdependent, the greatest method to live is in harmony with the natural course of things, a Daoist does not struggle, do battle, or

Deity, there is thus perhaps no real Deity with the capital letter to be equated with the God of Western religion. We have seen that Heaven eventually becomes the term customarily used for the Supreme Ruler, but we now know that behind or beyond heaven, there are the workings of yang and yin which have their source in tao (Thompson, 6). There is nothing distinctively Chinese in the way whereby the forces of nature were personified or the heavenly bodies were believed to exercise a direct influence in human affairs, or the way in which otherwise inexplicable occurrences of disease and other misfortunes were attributed to malignant spirits. The deification of human beings characteristic of both family and folk religion is somewhat more exceptional, although not unique (Thompson, 7). The founder of Taoism is Lao Zi and Chuan Tze, the school advocates the doctrine that the Dao is the course, the principle, the substance, and the standard of all things, to which all of them must conform. Based on the Dao De Jing, Taoism promotes the belief that a person should live a simple life, not to strive for wealth, fame or power, which will only give one worries and trouble. The school favors the political principle of “achieving good government through

“The whole world recognizes the beautiful as the beautiful, yet this is only the ugly; the whole world recognizes the good as the good, yet this is only the bad.” (Norton) Some people in history thought this statement makes perfect sense; however, it is gibberish to me. How are the beautiful actually ugly, and good mean bad? My only thought process goes back to people having different values of life. My best cliché for this is “One man’s trash is another’s treasure.”

Daoism is synonymous with Taoism; in this religious philosophy, the way of nature is central theme of life. It was founded by Lao Tzu in 500BC in China. Lao is believed to have authored the “Dao de Jing”, which details the Daoist beliefs. Dao is a concept, a way, a principle that will lead a person to a happy, peaceful life. Dao can be achieved by incorporating the Three Jewel of Taoism that are humility, simplicity and compassion in one’s life. According to Dao, de Jing “The Way to Heaven is to benefit others and not to injure”.15 Further, there is no concept of good and evil, the Dao is simply the universe, which is perceived as a self- sustaining entity that generates energy called qi. Like other Chinese traditions, Daoist also have great reverence for the spirits of ancestors as well as spirits of nature that is plants, animals, rivers, etc. 16

Daoism is a daily guide to living so a person can experience the most of their own self. Daoism teaches the follower to look inside and to gain knowledge through self-exploration and to connect with our inner nature. The yin and yang shows the complementary sides of objects and nature, even the human body. The Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego states, “All is Tao. All opposites are in actuality part of one whole, giving rise to one another. Neither is

Similar to Confucianism, Daoism has concepts of Tien and Te. It also has philosophical and religious concepts that descended from folk traditions. The difference that Daoists has limitations confucius got somethings wrong. “Daoists developed a counterpoint to the Confucian focus on social hierarchy, political involvement, emotional and moral discipline, and ritual regimentation, a counterpoint based on the concept of the Dao” (CIWR, 491). The two founders, Laozi and huangzi, developed harmonious life in line with Tau. Laozi had his own philosophy, and Zhuangzi believed things were better with no politics. Similar to Confucianism, Taoism have a concept of Te, only they have a different way of obtaining it. “The term de in the Daodejing refers to a ‘virtue-power’ that embodies the mystic inner power attained through alignment with the unseen world, the power that allows a sage ruler to infuse his realm with the harmony he has achieved by ‘doing nothing,’ wuwei” (CIWR, 495). Daoists believe that one can point to what something is by implicitly pointing to what it is not. “To use a finger to show that a finger is not a finger, is not really as good as using something that is not a finger to show that a finger is not a finger” (BC, 12-13).Basically, in order to point to a finger and say what’s around it is not a finger, it would be better not to use a fingure. “The fanciful and the historical exist side by

Stated in the primary document of Daodejing, it dates back to 300 BCE when it was first produced. This work was attributed to Laozi, but has not been proven completely true that it is his work. The Daodejing was written after the Zhou Dynasty had lost its authority and the government was split into small states. This piece focuses on “the way” an idea of philosophy of Daoism. The Daodejing states that, “The way is empty. It may be used without ever being exhausted.” The Daodejing is in a poetic form, which is attractive to many readers. The text of the Daodejing can be hard to read and understand because it is written so deep with such profound thought. The first few sentences of the Daodejing are intriguing because it states, “The way that can be spoken of is not the constant way, he name that can be named is the not the constant name, the nameless

Tao Te Ching is one of the most well-known Chinese philosophical scripture believed to be penned between 6th and 4th Century BC and authored by Lao Tzu. It has been a bedrock for the ancient spiritual and religious tradition of Taoism. Tao Te Ching includes two books of poetic verses explaining principle aspects of Taoism such as the metaphysical concept of ‘Tao’ roughly translated as the Way or the path, the consequences of action and inaction, virtue and the juxtaposed behavior of nature. The first book discusses the manifestation of the Way and how it directs us in harmonizing with our own qualities, morals and virtue which eventually help us in harmonizing with the working of the nature. The second book deals with the difficulties of governing

The Tao Te Ching is a 81 chapter book written by Lao Tzu. It’s wisdom is entirely immortal and focuses mostly on the theology of Taoism and explaining how Tao is part of our lives and how we as people can become part of the Tao. In the 81st chapter of the book, Lao Tzu describes to us a village of people and how they live their lives. In my analysis of this chapter I have come to agree with Lao Tzu in that this is the way that enlightened people live their lives and that living any other way than this will only lead to conflict