Tao Qian

I choose topic five to talk about Tao Qian (Tao Yuanming). The main concept “when the mind is far, its place becomes remote” describes the remarkable feelings which are still affecting how people value fame and wealth today. By analyzing two poems written by Tao, “Returning to dwell in gardens and fields I” and “Drinking wine Ⅴ”, we can have a better insight into his mind, his experience and how he has achieved this state of mind in his poetry. First, I will introduce the poem “Returning to dwell

of the city for a quieter life is a common one in literature all over the world. Tao Qian and Xie Lingyun both wrote about leaving politics and the city, but neither was doing so to become a solitary loner. This can be seen when comparing Tao Qian’s poem Returning to Dwell in Gardens and Fields I and Xie Lingyun’s poem Visiting the Southern Pavilion. Both of the poets were unhappy in city and political life. Tao Qian describes his life in the city as falling “in the snares of dust” (Owen, 316), and

Tao Qian talked about the true significance of life in “Drinking Wine V”, after reading the poems he wrote: “Drinking Wine V” and “Reading the Classic of Mountains and Seas I”, I think the true significance he wanted to express is his love for nature and his expect for peaceful idyllic life, which may be determined by his social environment. Tao Qian lived during the Eastern Jin and Southern Song dynasty, which was a mess period. He was one of the government officer, and he had a very clear understanding

Tao Qian, also known as Tao Yuan-ming, was a Chinese poet of the Six Dynasties period. Tao was well versed in the classics of Confucianism and Daoism, which is evident in his poetry. However, he wasn’t known for the extent of his knowledge but for his distinctive voice as a poet of transition and reclusion. Throughout his life, he held and resigned several minor posts before his ultimate decision to renounce public life and “return to his gardens and fields” (Owen 1996, 312). As the founder of the

Dao is about balance and harmony. It's about avoiding the extremes. There would have to have been Daoist assassins, according to the rules set by the Dao, if there were no assassins, then the Dao would be unbalanced. Since Dao is about balance and harmony, one cannot exist without the other. If there are life givers, then there would have to be life takers. Daoism teaches that the universe is a balance of opposites: male and female, light and dark, low and high. In each case, opposing forces should

Daoism takes its name from Dao, meaning “the way of the world.” Daoist’s stressed living in harmony with the Dao, which was the guiding force of all reality. In Daoist teachings, the Dao gave birth to the universe and all things in it. Daoism was developed in part as a reaction to Confucianism. Daoist’s didn’t agree with the idea that active, involved leaders brought social harmony, instead they wanted government to stay out of people’s lives. Daoism does not name a tradition constituted by a founding

Herodotus and Sima Qian: The First Great Historians of Greece and China is a book that provides historical context on both ancient Greece and ancient China written by Thomas R. Martin; Additionally the book provides primary source documents written by ancient historians Herodotus and Sima Qian, who tell the history of their nations through numerous anecdotes. Although the two historians have different motives behind their works since Sima Qian writes the history of ancient China for personal gain

The teachings of Confucius, who lived about 500 years before Christ, have probably had more influence on the world than those of Christianity. It is said that all world religions and all governments are still influenced by the philosophy taught in his school and by his books. Like Jesus, Confucius never claimed personal divinity. Yet a form of a philosophical belief system called Confucianism grew from his work. Also like Jesus, Confucius was said to have been born into poverty, became a teacher

The Nature of Daoism Daoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy, which was later converted into a religion, that was founded by Laozi. Its basic teaching is that earth, heaven, and people should follow the Dao, or “the way of nature,” in other words, living in harmony. Daoism is a polytheistic religion meaning that there are many gods, or deities. Chinese society was shaped by Daoism because it changed people’s perspective on life. They viewed life as accepting and humble, and they focused on bettering

The Dao is continuously described as “the way”; the way of nature, the way to live, and the way of the universe. While described as “the way”, it remains nameless and it cannot be heard, felt, or seen. According to Chapter 25, the Dao also stands alone and is unchanging. It exists before heaven and earth, it is everywhere and it is everlasting (Ivanhoe). Today, our society could not be described as the Dao. Our society is constantly evolving with media, education, and politics. In today’s world,