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Daoism By Rhiannon Shute
What is Daoism? Daoism is an ancient religion that relates the philosophical and religious traditions of early china, in order to establish a more defined and exclusive faith. This religion focuses on guiding people through their lives, so that they may create a more inextricable and closer relationship with themselves, their land and their divine powers or major beliefs. It emphasizes nature with compassion, humanity and combines them with the cosmic elements of the faith, which allow greater meaning and closer relationships to be achieved.
Daoist principal beliefs concerning the origins of the Universe Their principal belief that the Daoist people follow and believe in is the concept and idea of the Dao. Most important beliefs as it connects the believers with the meaning and history of their culture, as well as providing them with the idea of unity to become one. Considered to be the giver and creator of all life. Gives people hope and something to believe in. Gave birth to other cosmic elements of the Daoist religion.
Yin and Yang • The Dao gave birth to Yin and Yang. • Active principal which gives reasoning behind the opposing forces hat make up the universe. • Yin is associated with the connotations of bad and negative events which occur within the universe • Yang being of opposite nature, which in terms is associated with the positive and hopeful aspects of life. • derived from the main and principal belief of the Dao Yin Yang
Story of Creation “The Dao begot one. One begot two. Two begot three. And three begot the ten thousand things. • The Dao created one, that one passed knowledge onto another which created two. Those two created another, and altogether they create the universe and religion.
Principal beliefs of the Daoist Religion The principal beliefs within the Daoist religion are associated with the Dao, Yin and Yang, Te: Power and Wu-Wei. DAO All of the customs and traditions are centred around the idea of the Dao. It provides a way of life for people who believe in this faith. It guides them through their life and helps them to connect with the universe and everything in it. The Dao is a transcendent being, and then ultimate reality of the Daoist religion.
Te: POWER • refers to the powers that inhabit the universe. • This notion talks about the virtue and goodness that is carried out extensively throughout this faith. • Te is an abstract view of the Dao, as it is pertains a certain meaning about the vitality of psychic energy towards the universe, and the role that it plays in the minds and spirits of its followers. • WU-WEI • Wu-wei is this practice in which people act upon their faith, in order to discover themselves spiritually. • The Daoist followers act upon We-wei without disruption or interference, so that they can allow themselves to connect more closely with their inner nature and inner self.
The role of supernatural powers and deities in the Daoist Religion • Supernatural powers and deities play and important role in the continuation and success of the Daoist faith and religion. • The supernatural powers and deities allow the people to have a philosophical outlook on life so that they can see things clearly. • Relinquish all negative aspects and thoughts in their minds and souls, and give the opportunity to look forward to something new, better and more positive within their lives. • There are 8 known, supernatural powers and deities within the structure of the Daoist religion. These are the Three Pure Ones, Yu Huang, Guan Shengdi, Eight Immortals, Yellow Emperor, Xiwangma, Jade Emperor and Chang’e.
THREE PURE ONES • Are the highest and most recognisable deities in the Daoist religion. • Also known or referred to as the Three Pure Pellucid Ones, the Three Pristine Ones, the Three Clarities, or the Three Purities. • The Three Pure Ones are also significant as they represent the three main ideas that relate to the Daoist religion, which are the notions and ideas about the past, present, and future tenses of the world and life within itself. • Yin and Yang are believed to have given birth and provided power for these elements to survive and rein over the Daoist religion.
EIGHT IMMORTALS • Are a group of eight ‘fairies’ or mintaure beings that help to eliminate and fight against evil or negative aspects of the world. • Help to create a more peaceful and optimistic world as well as giving life to all things that are lifeless within the world. • They are considered as being mythological powers that guide people through their lives and enable them to see the variety of people within their culture. • JADE EMPEROR • Is worshipped due to his abilities to control the heavens . • He is considered to be the second highest supernatural power or deity within the Daoist religion, and coming after the Three Pure Ones. • The Jade Emperor can be identified by many different names. Some of these names include Heavenly Grandfather, Peace Absolving, Central August spirit and many more.
CHANG’E • Is associated with the moon, and the provider of light in the night time so people can continue on their spiritual journeys. • Is represented as an iconic female figure that lives on the moon. • Is worshipped through a special festival which is held on the 8th Lunar month, that involves people gathering outside in public so that they can worship and look at her at the same time. All of these supernatural powers and deities are worshipped in different ways as they are each associated with the different aspects that control and create the Daoist religion, as well as contributing to the main beliefs, and powers that are worshipped and recognized within this religion.
Relationship between Sacred Spaces and Daoism There are two main sacred spaces that the Daoist religion believes in. They are The Grotto- Heavens, and Mount Penglai. GROTTO HEAVENS Has been categorised into two main sites; one being the most important and the second being of lesser importance. There are 10 greater Grotto Heavens and 36 lesser Grotto Heavens. The Grotto Heavens are a collection of caves, mountains and underground spaces which are used as an access point between man and the heavens. Gives them the opportunity to seek comfort, knowledge and acceptance among their communities.
MOUNT PENGLAI • A mountain that is considered to be a mythological place that lies within the mountains of China. • Is related with the Eight Immortals, and is said to be a place that joins people with these powers. • Amongst the landmark, it has been considered a legend of Horai, that idolises all aspects of the Daoist religion, and ties things together in unity. The relationship between sacred spaces and the Daoist religion is that both contribute in providing one another with a series of places and beliefs to further within their faith. These places are of high importance to the Daoist religion as they help to establish further meaning and greater understanding of their faith and the connections associated with their religion. These sacred spaces are also considered to be geographical locations that relate rituals and energy to form a holy site that joins humans, earth and immortal beings as one.
Principal Rituals and its significance for Individuals and Society The Daoist ritual are said to be highly elaborate and part take over a series of days, which may be between 3 and 7 days, depending on the purpose. Contain traditional dance, costume, music, oral representations and movements. During these days people gather together and worship their higher deities and powers in several different ways which always include purification, invocation, prayers, offerings, hymns, dances and waling activities. All of their rituals are focused around sacred texts within the Daoist religion.
There are 2 main types of rituals within the Daoist religion. the first is to do with funerals and honouring priests, and the second is to do with communities and are performed to develop hope, offering and communion., and are performed in sacred spaces. • The first category provides remembrance for the dead, and allows people to have a peace of mind, knowing that they have gone to a better place to watch over and guide them in their life. • The second influences people to join together in order to recognise individuals and associate them with others in the Daoist religion.
Relationship between Daoism and its Society The Daoist religion withholds a great significant relationship between itself and society. This is because it they are closely connected due to the constant worshipping, and honoring of their deities and powers which created Daoism. Provides it followers with rules and regulations that they can follow in their lives, that are according to the values, morals and ethics of the faith. In order for a person in society to be connected entirely with this religion, they must be in tune with the Dao. Their actions must depict the Dao's actions, and their virtues must also depict the Dao's virtues in life.
The sage which is a well known custom that pushes for spiritual freedom and peace, guides people and allows them to living accordingly in order to obtain spiritual freedom. • The Daoist religion played an important part in the relationship between itself and its society. It gave them reasons and provided meaning to their questions of life, which helped them to develop closer relationships and direct links between themselves and their religion and vice versa. • It is clear in today's societies how much it has influenced society and this is evident through related symbols such as the Yin and Yang being used all over the world, represented in jewelry, art, posters, books, health services and other products which can define and give correlate back to the Daoist religion. • Given society proof of existence through stories that enable peoples questions to be answered. • Through its consistent interpretations of supernatural powers and beliefs in deities the Daoist society is able to reconnect with someone or something greater than them self, which in the end develops a closer bond between their overall religion and way of life.
Daoism: Providing a distinctive response to the search for meaning • Lao Tzu is one of the main people that influence the Daoist followers, as he uses his life stories to promote wellbeing, and goodness of the religion. He showed the people that when you join this religion your search for meaning within the world will be fulfilled and all questions asked will be answered. Through his life stories he provided positive concepts about the Daoist religion and how it clearly expressed reason. • According to the Dao, one can only become eternal when in harmony with the Dao. This means that in order for your life to be spiritually fulfilled, you must live in perfect harmony and follow the rules and regulations associated with this religion.
This religions joins people of similar faith and beliefs, so that they can come together and worship common deities and powers. • It presents believers of the Daoist religion to establish a special and personal bond between themselves and their god, which primarily offers them with the opportunity to find them selves and discover where their true identity lays within the Daoist community. • When trying to understand how this religion provides people with a distinctive response to their search for meaning we can explain it as being and offering each individual with an opportunity to go on that voyage in order to seek what they find. • What they find being the Dao, and what they want being deemed a peaceful being on this earth. Once they find the Dao, they are able to live a long, unstressed, happy life, where they can enjoy and continue to practice their faith and pass it onto others.
