2006-01-02
Complete Introduction to Taoism/Daoism
Introduction to Daoism
From: Daoism-Depot
Introduction
Founder: Lao Zi [Lao Tzu]
Location: China
Date: ~500 BCE
Primary Scripture: Dao De Jing [Tao Te Ching] (around 5000 Chinese characters)
Main Goal: Follow the Way.
Philosophical Daoism: Main Figures
• Lao Zi
Other names:
Li Er [Li Erh] (Birth Name)
Lao Dan [Lao Tan] (Mentioned in Zhuang Zi inner chapters)
Contribution: Founded Daoism, wrote Dao De Jing
Occupation: Zhou imperial court archives librarian
Zhuang Zi
Contribution: Wrote inner chapters of Zhuang Zi [Chuang Tzu]
Religious Daoism: Daoist Deities
Jade Emperor (Yu Huang [Yu-huang])
High God of Daoists
Rules other Gods
First Principle (Yuan Shi Tian Zun [Yuan-shih T'ien-tsun])
Instructs Jade Emperor
Three Pure Ones (San Qing [San-ch'ing])
1. Jade Pure (Yu Qing [Yu-ch'ing])
2. Upper Pure (Shang Qing [Shang-ch'ing])
3. Great Pure (Tai Qing [T'ai-ch'ing])
Three Officials (San Guan [San-kuan])
Ruler of Heaven (Tian Guan [T'ien-kuan]): grants happiness
1. Ruler of Earth (Di Guan [Ti-kuan]): grants remissions of sins
2. Ruler of Water (Shui Guan [Shui-kuan]): averts all evil
Three Epochs/Principles (San Yuan [San-yuan])
Shang Yuan [Shang-yuan] : ruled first six moons (winter and spring)
1. Xia Yuan [Hsia-yuan] : ruled 7th and 8th moons (summer)
2. Zhong Yuan [Chung-yuan] : ruled 9th thru 11th moons (fall)
Tian Shi [T'ien-shih]
Hsi Wang Mu : Mother Empress of the West.
Eight Immortals (Ba Xian [Pa-hsien])
Zhuan Zhongli [Chuan Chung-li]
Emblem: fan of feathers or peach of immortality. Represents: military personnel
1. Zhang Guolao [Chang Kuo-lao]
Emblem: paper horse
Represents: old
2. Lu Dongbin [Lu Tung-pin]
Emblem: sword
Represents: scholars
3. Cao Guojiu [Ts'ao Kuo-chiu]
Emblem: court writing tablet
Represents: nobility
4. Li Tieguai [Li T'ieh-kuai]
Emblem: iron crutch and gourd of life-preserving medicine
Represents: sick
5. Han Xiangu (Han Xiangzi) [Han Hsien-ku (Han Hsiang-tzu)]
Emblem: flower basket
Represents: cultured class
6. Lan Zaihe [Lan Tsai-ho]
Emblem: lute
Represents: poor
7. He Xiangu [Ho Hsien-ku]
Emblem: lotus
Represents: unmarried girls
Philosophical History of Lao Zi
Lao Zi was born in 604 B.C.E. in Honan. He was named Li Er [Li Erh], and held a post as keeper of records at Loyang, then the Zhou dynasty capital. Legend says he had a meeting with Confucius. When Zhou dynasty was near its fall at around 500 B.C.E., Lao Zi rode on a water buffalo to retire in the mountains to a State in the western frontiers. An official named Guan Yin Zi who was in charge of the Pass begged the sage for a book of his teachings, and Lao Zi then wrote the Dao De Jing. After which Lao Zi went westward and was never seen again.
Religious History of Lao Zi
Lao Zi was born in 1321 B.C.E. from his mother's left side after a confinement lasting eighty years. He was born with snowy hair and a long white beard. Considered a reincarnation of a supreme celestial being.
The Major Sects of Daoism
Religious Daoism (In China)
Heavenly (Celestial) Masters
Supreme Peace
Sacred Treasure (Ling Bao [Ling-pao])
Completely Real (Chuan Zhen [Ch'uan-chen])
Other
The Dao
Dao (literal: Path or Way) is what Daoism is all about. Following Dao is following the way of Daoism. This way is discussed in the Dao De Jing, which elaborates on Yin and Yang, Wu Wei, Governing, the Three Jewels, and others.
Yin and Yang
In Daoism, Yin and Yang are negative and positive principles of the universe. One cannot exist without the other, and they often represent opposites in relations to each other. As you have more and more Yang, eventually, Yin will appear and replace this increase. Similarly in the opposite direction, Yang will appear to replace the increase in Yin.
The Yin Yang symbol (circle with black and white sections) depicts this clearly. As you travel around the circle, white or black will increase, until the opposite color is almost gone, but never totally gone. The cycle then repeats for the opposite color.
What seems like Yin is often supported by Yang, and vice-versa. As an example, to truly know good, you must know what evil is, and without good as a comparison, nothing is evil. Thus, while keeping to one end, do not shun the opposite end, but embrace both as they are. Allowing Yin to flourish, you welcome Yang. By letting go of Yin, you are waiting for its return. As an example, before you can possess something, you must be willing to let it go.
Yin and Yang often represent the following opposites...
• Yin
o Negative
o Female
o Dark
o Evil
o Earth
• Yang
o Positive
o Male
o Light
o Good
o Heaven
Wu Wei
Wu Wei (literal: without action) is one of the main concepts from Daoism. It means to do things such that it does not seem like you are taking the effort of doing them. A close analogy would be following the natural flow of nature. By applying Wu Wei, one is closely following the way.
Governing
In Daoism, the government should follow the way in governing the people as well. Specific chapters in the Dao De Jing describes the ideal way of governing people. They can be summarized in these key points...
• Do not emphasize status, intelligence, or possessions.
• Govern with least visibility and with a serving attitude.
• Reduce laws and govern lightly.
• Take few actions that involve the people.
• Treat other countries non-aggressively.
Three Jewels
There are three jewels (characteristics) that Daoists should cherish as mentioned in Dao De Jing chapter 67. They are...
1. Compassion - leads to courage
2. Moderation - leads to generosity
3. Humility - leads to leadership
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