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Lao Tzu & Taoism. a.k.a. Laozi or LoaTse. Lao Tzu’s story. was born in 604 BC in the Chu Province, had a long career as the royal historian-librarian-archivist in the Chou capital of Lo-yang,
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Lao Tzu & Taoism a.k.a. Laozi or LoaTse
Lao Tzu’s story • was born in 604 BC in the Chu Province, • had a long career as the royal historian-librarian-archivist in the Chou capital of Lo-yang, • & (after becoming disillusioned as a result of the increasing decline of the Chou dynasty) left China for Tibet or India late in the 6th (or perhaps early in the 5th) century BC. • Before leaving, however, he recorded his philosophical insights in a short book, the Dao De Jing (also known as the Lao Tzu), which is one of the foundational classics of “Philosophical Daoism.”
Leading ideas in Daoist thought • Its vision of reality (metaphysics) is based on Native Chinese folk religion • Ontology/Cosmology • The Dao (the Way) • Chi (Ch'I,Qi) • De (power) • Yin/Yang • Nature (earth & the universe) • Theology - gods & spirits • Anthropology - human nature & the human predicament • Values: Ethics & Political Philosophy
TAO DOW DAO Read DDJ 41 on page 197 1. The ultimate, transcendental Ground of Being 2. The way or law of nature 3. A life lived in accord with the way or law of nature
Seeking the TAO Read DDJ 41 on p.197
De (“Duh”) “denotes a moral power or virtue characteristic of a person who follows the correct course of conduct . . . . [In Daoism], te is the virtue or power that one acquires through being in accord with the tao, what one ‘gets’ from the tao.” (Burton Watson)
Daoist theology (Daoist metaphysics, continued) • The DAO is the highest reality. It is the Ground of Being; but it is not “God” or “a god.” It is the absolutely transcendent and incomprehensible Source of the natural world (the universe). The DAO is beyond sensation, beyond thought, beyond imagination, beyond words, etc. It is knowable only through direct mystical experience or intuition. • Gods, good spirits, and demons exist as expressions of the power (De) of the DAO. These spiritual powers can be accessed and harnessed through various magical rituals.
Humanity is merely one of the “Ten Thousand Things” manifested in nature, one animal species among others. However, human beings (unlike other animals) have the power of free choice. This enables them to act contrary to nature (contrary to the DAO), to become alienated from the “Way.” Humans can choose to separate themselves from the natural order, and they can pursue things they want in addition to things they need. This leads to an unnatural existence filled with various kinds of pain & suffering. Philosophical Anthropology The Daoist perspective on human nature & the human predicament
(Daoist metaphysics/anthropology, continued) The solution to the human predicament • Back to nature; forget about big cities and great civilizations. Back to the DAO. • The practice of wu-wei(“non-action”, effortless action, action without friction & conflict, swimming with the current) -- the simple, natural life, performing no action contrary to nature. • Go with the flow. • Chill out.
Ethical Doctrines(guidelines for right conduct) • Tune in to De (the power of DAO), & follow the DAO. • Practice wu-wei (non-action). • Follow the path of least resistance (like water does); practice relaxed action through yielding. • Avoid self-assertion & competition; practice humility & non-combativeness. • Disdain worldly prizes. • “The way to do is to be.” • Other specific ethical principles the same as in Confucianism, but with an individualistic & non-political emphasis.
There is major interest in conserving, increasing, &/or gaining control over De & its vital energy (chi). There are numerous rituals aimed at the veneration of the gods & good spirits & at placation of & protection from demons. There are also magical & occult practices (oracles, divination, astrology, mediumism, healing rites, etc.) aimed at gaining control over the powers of nature (De). On the religious side of Daoism,
The concern with increasing the supply of De’s vital energy (chi) is expressed in practices involving diet & nutrition, pharmacology & folk medicine (including acupuncture), and yoga-like concentration on the inner self (sexual experiments, breathing exercises, tai chi chuan & other martial arts, & control of the mind through meditation techniques). • Daoists also believe that DAO-Masters who have realized a surplus of chi can radiate from themselves a healing & harmonious psychic influence to the communities in which they live. • Dao masters can have extended lifespans.
Daoist Political Philosophy(an application of wu-wei) Limited government & a laid-back prince -- a kind of libertarianism? (See the DDJ’s many passages on government, political leadership, warfare, social & economic policy, etc.)
The philosophical content of the Dao De Jing: • DAO • Yin & Yang & the principle of reversal • Non-ado (wu-wei) • The DAO-Master (the Daoist hero) • Seeking the DAO & living in the DAO • How to live • Meditation • Emptiness • Anti-Confucianism • Political philosophy
Lao Tzu says that his teachings are derived from an ancient system of principles & that they are easy to understand & to put into practice, but that no one understands & practices them. (DDJ 70)
He also says: • Many consider my teaching to be nonsense. • But the profound is a lot like nonsense. • If a teaching does not seem nonsensical, then it must be trivial. (DDJ 67a)
Indefinable Unnamable The source of both reality & appearance Empty, but never used up; always available Hidden, but always present Older than the gods Invisible, inaudible, intangible The One Appears in countless forms; given countless names Without form, but complete The Mother of all things Characteristics of the DAO
Silent. Empty. Independent. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternal. • Creator of all things • Present in all things • Returns all things to their origin (nothingness, no- thing-ness?) • Does not contend, but it prevails; does not speak, but it answers; is not called, but it responds; has no purpose, but it achieves all of its aims • When you seek it, you find it.
Wu-wei (non-action) (Read DDJ 2 on p.195) How does someone who understands the Tao accomplish worthwhile things? • The Dao-Master acts by not acting • & teaches without speaking. • Things come & go. • He lets them come & go. • He creates, but he does not own. • He achieves, but he takes no credit. • He completes his work & then forgets about it. • Practice non-actions, & your accomplishments endure.
The DAO-Master Characteristics of the Taoist hero
Detached Selfless Cautious Alert Courteous Yielding Undefined Open Murky Quiet Calm & unperturbed Good to people who are good Good to people who are not good Trusts those who are trustworthy Trusts those who are not trustworthy Radiates peace & harmony Characteristics of the DAO-Master -Compassionate -Self-restrained -Does not want to be ahead of others An expert practitioner of non-action
DDJ 8 DDJ 10 DDJ 81* It is good to be like water. It nourishes without effort. It flows without contention into low places that people scorn. Thus, it is like the Dao. In dwelling, live close to the land. In thinking, go deep. In relating to others, be gentle. In governing, seek good order and justice. In acting, be skillful. In working, do all things at the right time. No contention, no strife. How to Live(Ethical Prescriptions)
The Value of Emptiness & Non-Being (DDJ 11)
Lao-Tzu’s Anti-Confucianism • DDJ 18 When the Great Tao was abandoned, then benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. When knowledsge and teachers appeared then ensued great hypocrisy. When family relationships lost there harmony, then filial piety and parental affection were suddenly birthed When the states and clans fell into disorder, loyal ministers and patriotic politicians appeared. • Down with kindness & morality, intelligence & learning, family values, industry & profit, clinging to power, activism, virtue, justice, & propriety!
DDJ 3 (Daoist rule) DDJ 17 (types of rulers) DDJ 28b (uncarvedwood DDJ 65 (enlightening the people) DDJ 78 (water) Lao-Tzu’s Political Philosophy Environmentalists tend to like Taoism The problem: Our civilization and upbringing make us disconnected from nature; both from the natural world and our own inner nature. The solution: We should be at one with nature and the universe . We should live in small, self-sustaining communities, not large civilizations or cities. Confucianism is about making great cities and empires work harmoniously. LaoTzu teaches that big cities and great civilizations are the real problem; they distort our nature, force us into unnatural roles that in the end will make us unhappy and unfulfilled. Even families can do that. We need to go back to nature; back to the Tao. LoaTzu is the polar opposite of Confucius.
