Worlds of Wisdom

1. Worlds of Wisdom What is the meaning of life? How can I become my truest self? What is justice? What is my place in the grand scheme of things?

2. Philosophy • Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, law, justice, validity ...

3. Worlds of Wisdom • Famous philosophers from around the world have provided instruction and guidance about how a person should live his/her life. • This unit will investigate this historical literature • The culture of each philosopher will be studied

4. Elements of Literature/ 6th Course • Parts of the following titles will be studied • King James Bible – page 342 • The Koran – page 350 • Bhagavad-Gita – page 351 • Zen Parables – page 353 • The Analects of Confucius – page 355 • Tao Te Ching – page 356 • Taoist Anecdotes – page 357 • Sayings of Saadi – page 358 • African Proverbs – page 359

5. ORAL TRADITION • Philosophers didn’t write their stories down … they just told them to people • Their disciples wrote them down for later ages

6. Didactic • Adj • Instructional • Wisdom literature serves a didactic (instructional) purpose: it teaches people how to live. • Didactic literature can be sacred (holy) or secular (not sacred/not having to do with religion)

7. Sacred Context • Many religions have written works telling people how to relate to God and how to live a moral life. • These works are forms of “Wisdom Literature” because they have their own unique styles and messages which were influenced by the eras and society in which they were written.

8. Translated more than any other books in the world: • Tao Te Ching • Bhagavad-Gita • Bible • Why? Partially because of the beauty of their expression: The sayings, poems, and stories speak timeless truths in timeless voices. • Why? Partially because of the commonality of human expression.

9. Judaism: Jews • Main Entry: Ju·da·ism • Pronunciation: \ˈjü-dē-ˌi-zəm, ˈjü-də-, ˈjü-(ˌ)dā-, British also ˈjü-ˌdi-zəm\ • Function: noun • Date: 14th century • 1 : a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions

10. 1000 B.C. – 100 B.C.Hebrew Bible (Torah/Old Testament)

11. The Middle East

13. Just like Jesus wrote no books, • Taoist teachers: Laotzu 571 B.C. • Confucious: Died 479 B.C. • Masters of Zen Buddhism

14. 571 B.C.Laotzu is born. Philosophical leader of Taoism.

15. Taoism: Taoist anecdotes created: 400 – 100 B.C. • Main Entry: Tao·ism • Pronunciation: \-ˌi-zəm\ • Variant(s): also Dao·ism \ˈdau̇-\ • Function: noun • Etymology: Tao • Date: 1838 • 1 : a Chinese mystical philosophy traditionally founded by Lao-tzu in the sixth century b.c. that teaches conformity to the Tao by unassertive action and simplicity

16. Taoism • Broadly defined: Taoism consists of the joyful acceptance of life and a willingness to yield to the natural world, becoming one with it. • Chinese people see Taoism and Confucianism as complementary views.

17. Tao Te Ching • Means “Classic Way of Power” • Intended to provide guidance for rulers which wished to govern according to Tao or “The Way” • Written in MAXIMS • Uses parallel language

18. Anecdotes = brief stories Refer to your text p.357 for examples of Taoist anecdotes.

19. 400 B.C. – 100 B.C. • Taoist anecdotes are created • Tao Te Ching • “Classic of the Way of Power”

20. Refer here to p.356 in your text to read an example from the Tao Te Ching.

21. Confucius • Main Entry: Con·fu·cius • Pronunciation: \kən-ˈfyü-shəs\ • Variant(s): Chinese K'ung–Fu–tzu \ˈku̇ŋ-ˈfü-ˈdzü\ or K'ung–tzu \ku̇ŋ-ˈdzü\ • Function: biographical name • 551–479 b.c. Chinese philosopher

22. 479 B.C.Confucious died.

23. The Analects • Based on Confucius’ teachings • Written as maxims • Confucius believed that studying ancient teachings enabled people to join the continuous minds from the past to their own time

24. Maxim brief statement

25. chung-yung “the golden mean’ the concept of universal and moral social harmony

26. The Analects teach: • Individuals how to achieve moderation in all things through moral education, • the building of a harmonious family life, • and the development of virtues such as loyalty, obedience, and integrity

27. The Analects emphasize: • Filial piety • The carrying out of basic obligations to one’s living parents or dead ancestors

28. Died 479 B.C. Disciples wrote down his sayings after his death Analects – selected sayings Maxims – brief sayings Golden mean – ideal of universal moral and social harmony Analects of Confucius - review

29. http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/21446-china-from-past-to-present-confucianism-video.htmRefer to your text p.355 for examples of maxims from The Analects.

30. 300 B.C. – 300 A.D.The Hindu Bhagavad-Gita is written.

31. Translated: Bhagavad-Gitameans “Song of the Lord”The Bhagavad-Gita is an episode of a larger story called the Mahabharata (the longest poem ever composed in any language).Also called The Gita.

32. Krishna

33. The Gita • This ancient poem played a major role in shaping the philosophy of: • Mahatma Ghandi (the social reformer who led India to independence from Britain in 1947) • Martin Luther King, Jr. who was influenced by Mahatma Ghandi’s philosophy of nonviolent protest

34. didactic Verse poetry meant to convey a philosophy

35. Dharma = Sacred Duty

36. Refer to your text p.351 for an excerpt from the Bhagavad- Gita.

37. 651 A.D. – 652 A.D.The Koran is written.

38. For an excerpt from the Koran, refer to p.350 in the textbook.

39. Zen Buddhism • Type of Buddhism • Started in China really developed in Japan • Objective: free the mind of everyday, conventional logic through meditation • Written in parables

40. 1191 A.D.Zen is introduced to Japan.

41. Where is Japan?

42. Zen Videos • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK_4Z5DZcNM&feature=channel (intro) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rh8Fc3ecd8&feature=channel (sitting)

43. Miniature Zen Garden

44. Zen Garden

45. parables brief allegorical Stories that teach lessons or morals about life Refer to p.353 in your text for examples of Zen parables

46. Who is this?

47. Refer to p.353 in your textbook to see examples of Zen parables.

48. 1213 A.D. – 1292 A.D.Saadi lives.

49. Saadi • Follower of a mystical sect of Islam • Definition: mystical - with divine meaning: having a divine meaning that is beyond human understanding • Believed in holiness of all creation • Sufism = a philosophy & a way of life • Persia’s best loved poet: witty, practical sayings and lush lyrics

50. Sufism • Withdraw from material world • Homeless • Beg for their living • Wander from place to place as they meditate God’s love • Not attached to belongings or places • Not driven by concerns of time, money, or achievement • Concentrated on 1) the development of the human mind 2) on reaching a higher plane of understanding through a gradual process of thought and practice