DAOISM

Chinese culture dates back to 2000 BCE in the Yellow River valley.
Early Chinese beliefs:

Respect for ancestors, who will cause trouble if ignored

Divination with oracle bones
3 major principles: Heaven (Tian), Earth (Ti) and Humans (Ren). Emperors needed the
Mandate of Heaven to rule.

Daoist Cosmology:

The cosmos is a manifestation of energy, Chi. It has two aspects, Yin and Yang, which
are in a state of dynamic balance:

Yin energy: Feminine, receptive, dark, cold

Yang energy: Masculine, active, bright, warm

The Chinese used the Yijing, the Book of Changes, to divine and interpret the
movements of yin and yang (see mirror)
The DAO (or Tao) is the unity of opposites, the source of all energy.
The Dao and its workings were described in the classic text of Daoism, the
DAODEJING (Way and its Power), written by Laozi in about 600 BCE? Probably
multiple authors (see p.187 Fisher for pic. of Laozi). It forms the basis of Philosophical
Daoism (vs. Folk Daoism)
Some concepts found in the DaodeJing:
The Dao is neither good nor evil; it is the cosmic source energy
The Dao is like the Uncarved Block, older than God (4,5)
The sage (wise person) lives a simple life in harmony with the Dao
Let go; go with the flow. To follow the Dao is to be in harmony with the natural,
spontaneous rhythms of life within and without
Dont be attached to things they come and go
Wu-wei: effortless action
The good ruler is in harmony with the Dao and does not use force, war, arms, or coercion

Folk Daoism:

Includes Daoist longevity practices, e.g. Taiji (Tai Chi) and the various martial arts
Daoist temples are staffed by priests trained in esoteric practices, who perform funerals,
exorcisms, etc.