Taoism
The Great Tao flows everywhere.
It may go left or right
All things depend on it for life.
and it does not turn away from them.
It accomplishes its task, but does not claim
credit for it.
It clothes and feeds all things
but does not claim to be master
over them. Tao Te Ching, chapter 30
Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu
Origins of Taoism
The origins are ancient, dating back to the time of Conf
ucius: 551-479.
Taoism’s beginnings are shrouded in mystery.
It is not certain whether the founder of Taoism, Lao
Tzu, ever actually existed.
There are accounts, however legendary, about Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu
Born in 604 B.C. E., his name means “old master.”
He was conceived by a shooting star.
When his mother gave birth to him, he was already
eighty two years old, a wise man with flowing white
hair.
He worked as a government archivist.
Eventually, he became disinchanted with the
corruption of government.
He left his town after taking three days to write down
his words of wisdom, The Tao Te Ching.
The Tao Te Ching
Authored by Lao Tzu, it is Taoism’s foundational text.
It is 81 short chapters, dating back to the 3rd. century,
b.c.e.
It contains many paradoxes and profound teachings on
living in harmony with nature.
Chapter 56 = Echoes of such mystery are heard
repeatedly.
Those who know do not speak; Those who speak do not
know.
Chuang Tzu
Taoism’s second founder seems to have lived from
369 to 286 b.c.e.
The Chuang Tzu, his text, is as important as the Tao
Te Ching but not as well known.
He is known for his humor, profound lessons and
stories.
The central theme of his work is the relativity of
things: “Who is to say, it asks, exactly what is good,
what ought to be done, or even who we are, when
answers to such questions are so dependent on particular
circumstances?
The Philosophy of Tao
Tao is both the ultimate source and principle of order
in the universe.
Tao has two components, yin and yang.
Taoism regards moral values as relative and avoids
absolute moral judgments.
Taoism literature says nothing about the afterlife and
depicts death as one of nature’s transformations from
one state to another.
Humans are part of the grand harmony of nature and
to live in accord with the Tao is the only way to thrive.
Yin and Yang
Traits of Yin and Yang
Yin yang
Negative Positive
Passive Active
Feminine Masculine
Earthly Heavenly
Virtues in Taoism
Wu-wei = primary virtue and means “non-action.” To
practice wu-wei is to be so perfectly in harmony with
nature that its energy infuses and empowers the
individual.
Humility and noncompetition
Naturalness and naturalism
Nonaggression and passive rule