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Making the Midterm

Making the Midterm. 30 short answer or definition topics Short answer and definition topics should be substantive At least 4-6 short essay topics; you will need to choose two out of that group Meet as groups to collect reasonable ideas for both?

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Making the Midterm

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  1. Making the Midterm • 30 short answer or definition topics • Short answer and definition topics should be substantive • At least 4-6 short essay topics; you will need to choose two out of that group • Meet as groups to collect reasonable ideas for both? • We will assemble a class list and then discuss additions or subtractions

  2. Buddhism Re-cap • The Four Noble Truths • The Eight-Fold Path • Major divisions- Mahayana/Theravada • Other branches- Zen and the koan • Sidhartha (Sidhattha)- when and who? • Nirvana and enlightenment • Bodhisattva • Dharma and Karma • The Ox Herder metaphor • The idea of mindfulness

  3. Taoism Overview • Chinese origins • “Founded” by Lao Tzu @ 600-300 B.C.E. • Includes multiple ideas that are compatible with Buddhism • Focuses on the following the Tao • Emphasizes chi flow, harmony with natural world and non-judgment

  4. What Is the Tao?

  5. Yin, Yang and the Nature of Opposites • Yin • Dark • Receptive • Feminine • Yang • Bright • Assertive • Masculine • What is intrinsic to both sides of the yin/yang symbol?

  6. Possible Definitions of the Tao • “Way” or “Path” • Natural order • A balanced life • Divine energy • Non-anthropomorphic version of god • The way to live when humans are in touch with their world

  7. The Point of Taoism To study the order and system of natural life so that one can order one’s own life to move with the flow of the Tao

  8. Ideals of Taoism • Experience the transcendent unity in all things, not separation • reconcile opposites on a higher level of consciousness • Everything has it’s place and function in life; not comparison oriented • no good or bad, small or large, disfigured or beautiful; to compare a thing is to destroy a thing • “Perfect wisdom” of ancient sages before they knew there were “things”

  9. More Ideals of Taoism • Experience the universe that is directly cooperating with the way things are, not making judgments, setting standards of morality, not labeling • Harmony with natural order and flowing with that order; water imagery is often used as a metaphor for the Tao • Water doesn’t fruitlessly attack; it effortlessly flows around and over, gently removing obstacles

  10. The Tao Te Ching • Most translated text after the Bible. • “The Way and It’s Power”- Waley trans. • http://oaks.nvg.org/re3ra3.html • http://www.afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wengu.php?l=Daodejing • Lao Tzu- “old master” traditional author. • Dating from around 350 B.C.E. • Introduces Taoist concepts through verse. • Wu Wei.

  11. Paradox Union of opposites Wu wei Leadership Feminine elements Individual happiness Moderation Improving the world Materialism “The Master” Metaphors and analogies Verse 29 comparisons Verse 19 interpretation Principles From the Tao Te Ching

  12. Wu Wei • Wu wei=doing nothing • Why is this problematic to the Western perspective? • Wu-wei • “taking no intentional or invasive action contrary to the natural flow of things” • “spontaneous, creative activity proceeding from the Tao, action without ego assertion, letting the Tao take its course

  13. The Concept of Chi • Impersonal self-generating energy • Circulates through body and provides interconnectivity in all things • Governs health,well-being, and spiritual development • Sometime associated with the idea of “soul” • Physiological underpinnings

  14. Other Important Practices • I-Ching • A way of divining future directions based on thrown sticks or coins and the anagrams they represent • Questions are meditated upon prior to the throw • Tai chi chuan (“highest reaching boxing”) • Also translated as “supreme ultimate fist techniques” • Physical exercises to promote vigor, longevity and for circulation of chi

  15. Images of Tai Chi Chuan

  16. Images of Tai Chi Chuan

  17. Images of Tai Chi Chuan

  18. Tai chi chuan practice • Yang short form • Listen to the principles of practice and try to apply them • Go through the first few poses only • What was it like going through those movements? • Does it seem physically challenging or too easy?

  19. Taoism As a World Faith • No proselytizing or missionary efforts • Influences can be seen in Japanese versions of Buddhism and other practices • An individual Taoist has a low profile • like a valley, allowing things to flow into life, like a stream • Not working for recognition, doing it because it is their function to do it • No possession of accomplishments, works effortlessly

  20. ICW Task Explain the benefits of the concept of wu wei, as you understand it. What would it do for people in a Western society? Why is it often dismissed by those unfamiliar with the concept as being unproductive and useless? What assumptions are being made about the meaning of life for those who take that stance?

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