Daoism(Taoism)/ Confucianism

1. Daoism(Taoism)/Confucianism Religions of East Asia –largely China. These religions coexist and complement each other.

2. Ancient Chinese Tradition. • Chinese believed that the world is full of invisible spirits- ancestral spirits,nature spirits- plants, animals, etc. • Nature spirits personified and honored as deities. • Shangdi (Shang-Ti) –the Supreme Being, the great spirit, ruler of the universe, masculine. • This belief is traced to the Shang Dynasty (1751-1123 BCE).

3. Ancestral Spirits • Veneration of ancestors- funeral mourning rites, sacrifices. • Li- the sacred ritual directed towards ancestors for blessings/ to avoid trouble. • Kings sought ancestors help through medium of oracles bones.

4. Mandate of Heaven • Belief traced to the Zhou (Chou dynasty (1122-221 BCE) that overthrew the Shang di dynasty. • Believed in heavenly beings, impersonal power that controlled the universe. • Rulers were urged to rule according to the “mandate of heaven” I.e the wish of heavenly beings.

5. Qi / Chi- Impersonal Self generating energy. • Cosmos is a manifestation of an impersonal self generating energy Qi / Chi. • Qi / Chi has two aspects to it- the Yin and the Yang. • These aspects interplay causing the ever-changing phenomenon of the universe. • Yin- dark, receptive, female • Yang- the bright, assertive, male.

6. Wisdom • Wisdom lies in recognizing the ever shifting but regular patterns moving within the Yin and the Yang. • Dao/ Tao- The way of nature • The creative rhythm of the universe.

7. Divination • Forms of divination are necessary to understand how to stay in harmony with the universe. • Yi Jing (I Ching) “The Book of Changes” is an ancient scripture of methods of divination. • It instructs on how to interpret patterns in divination items e.g coins, stalks, bones that represent yin and yang (p. 179).

8. Actions produce opposites as a balancing reaction. • Hence extreme actions produce extreme opposites- refrain from these. • The Yin and that Yang is the basis of Daoism (Taoism) and Confucianism.

9. Daoism- The Way of Nature and immortality • Living according to Tao- the way of nature. • Stay in harmony with the universe. • Daoism- an invention of western scholars to refer to traditions which developed from early philosophical texts and practices. • It involves meditation.

10. Dao de Jing (Tao Te Ching) • Dao de jing- “the classic of the way and the power” • This is that Daoist scripture believed to have been authored by Lao Zi (Lao Tzu) in the 6th century –debatable. • Laozi (Lao Tzu) – was a curator of the royal library of the Zhou dynasty.

11. He was leaving society to retire to the mountains at age 160 when a border guard recognized him as sage and requested him to share his wisdom. He sat down, and wrote Dao- de Jing. • Dao de jing teaches “Wu Wei” – “actionless action” I.e one can harmonize with the natural flow (Dao) by being receptive and quite.

12. I.e direct experience of the universe requires accepting and cooperating with things the way they are. • Nothing is evil, things may only be out of balance. • Zuangzi (Chuang Tzu) (365-290) was a sage, a government official who expounded on these teachings. He advocated detachment from the world. • Golden age of Dao has declined as people depart from the way. Civilization leads to chaos.

13. Developments in Daoism • The 2nd century saw the institutionalization of Daoism. • Prophecies and revelations led to political and religious organizations. • Some prophecies predicted the fall of the Han dynasty in 184BCE which led to rebellion and decline of this dynasty • At the decline of Han dynasty (206-220CE) e.g Kan Ji received a vision that yin and yang were no longer in balance because rulers had not followed the ways of nature.

14. In western China, Zhang Dao Ling (Chang Tao Ling) claimed to have seen a vision of Laozi as a heavenly lord. In this vision, Laozi was appointed as the representation of Dao on earth. • He was given the title of “Celestial Master” • He taught about healing by faith, and organized religion attracting many followers.

15. Highest Purity Daoism • In 365, an aristocrat family in southern China claimed to receive revelations from a deceased member –Lady Wei • These were revelations of names and powers of new deities, meditation methods, alchemy and rituals. • They were recorded in exquisite calligraphy and transmitted to a few disciples. • Practiced by elite group of celibates. • Despised celestial masters rituals and commoners.

16. The Numinous Treasure School • Arose around 4th Century • Assimilated many elements of Buddhism e.g meditation, divine beings scriptures, rebirth, heaven and shells. • Complete Perfection. • -Arose in the 12th century. • -practiced in monastic schools. • Unites Daoism inner alchemy with Zen Buddhist meditation and Confucianism, • Teaches detachment to the world. • Found in Beijing.

17. Longevity Daoism • Use force that is within the body to maintain health, strength and to perceive the order of the universe. • Jing- generative force • Qi- vital life force • Chen- spirit • Involves breathing techniques, diets, gymnastics, vocalization, sexual energies, meditation absorption of solar and lunar energies. Etc. • Alchemy- tapping these energies to achieve physical immortality.

18. Daoism today • Still common in China, Taiwan, Hong King and Chinese communities overseas. • Daoism blends with popular religions and cultures. • Chinese temples combine Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. • Indigenous Daoism seeking to spread their teachings to the young.

19. 20th Century, the west became interested in Daoism with centers being established in the U.S. • Acupuncture therapy uses Chinese traditional spiritual knowledge of energy believe to be in the body/ organs and the spine. • Chinese traditional medicine and practices such as Taiji Quan (training for martial arts ) draw from Qi energy in trying to become one with yin and yang.