Philosophy & Religion in China

Philosophy & Religion in

ChinaTaoism

Taoism

The Way of Harmony with Nature

TaoismOrigins and Texts

Legendary founder: Lao Tzu (6th century BCE)

Primary text: Tao Te Ching (the “Book of the Way and the Power”)– 81 short “chapters” containing

the basic philosophy of living in harmony and balance with nature

Belief & Practices The Tao (“path” or “way”) Te (“power” or “virtue”)

–One’s natural ability brought to peak potential through following the way

Let nature guide the way through life– Flowing water– Wind

Belief & Practices

Three Jewels of the Tao Compassion – (Pity) Moderation –

(Frugality) Humility“For only he that pities is truly able to be brave;Only he that is frugal is able to be profuse.Only he that refuses to be foremost of all thingsIs truly able to become chief of all Ministers.”

Tao Te Ching Chapter 67

Belief & Practices Wei-wu-wei (“active non-

action”)– Passive non-resistance to the

natural forces of life– Natural way to get things done

with least effort and greatest success

– “Go with the flow” – The Taoist sage is non-

judgmental

Belief & Practices Seeking Health and Longevity:

through diet, meditation, exercise, and a stress-free life

Natural/holistic healing: herbal medicine, acupressure, acupuncture, exercise…

T’ai-Chi-Ch’uan (“grand ultimate boxing”)– A slow, graceful martial art stressing

movement in balance

Vinegar Tasters

Winnie The Pooh

Winnie The Pooh

Rabbit Owl Tigger Piglet Eeyore Christopher

Robin

Taoist Legalist Confucianism Buddhist Jainism Buddhist Christianity