INTRODUCTION TO WORLD

RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM

Name: ____________________________ Grade Level: __________
Section: ___________________________ Date: ________________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

TAOISM/ DAOISM

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS

Taoism or Daoism is a religious tradition that started in China about 2,500

years ago. Taoism is a spiritual philosophy that focuses on an individual's outlook on
life and the world around him/her.
Humankind, nature, and heaven are all interconnected, and that harmony
exists when everything acts according to its own nature is one of the beliefs of the
Taoists. In Taoism, living in harmony with one’s own nature is known as wu wei. The
one who exercises wu wei avoids aggression and bends to accommodate life’s
problem rather than break under their weight.
Taoists strive to live in harmony with the natural order. The natural order is an
unknowable force called the Tao. Tao can be translated as “the way”. Taoists view
the Tao as the connection that makes all life and movement in nature possible.
Yin and yang are the two opposite energies that comprise the Tao. Taoists
believe everything in existence has the characteristics of both yin and yang. The yin
is cold, dark, and mysterious; it is associated with the earth and is female. The yang
is warm, bright and positive; it is associated with the heavens and is male. The
interaction of yin and yang are revealed in changes. These changes include the
seasons along with the flowering of living things and their eventual decay.
Earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes according to Taoists are the effects of the
disturbances of yin and yang, but they believe, in time, the Tao will reassert itself and
order will return. Unhappiness in life comes from people opposing the Tao by
disrupting the natural order of life.
According to legends the founder of Taoism is Lao Tzu, though it is possible
he never existed. He is said to have been a scholar who worked as a keeper of
records for Chou lord. Lao Tzu was unhappy with moral decay of his time, so he
withdrew to his home to ponder about the meaning of life. Lao Tzu’s meditation
made him a very wise man. Once, while traveling, a gatekeeper recognized Lao Tzu
and asked him to write down his wisdom. Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching, then rode
through the gate, never to be seen again according to legend.
The Tao Te Ching means “The Way of Life”. An English translation of this
very short book has 128 pages. The Tao Te Ching suggests bending to
accommodate

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 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD
RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM

rather than breaking the stresses of life. The book highlighted that we should live
according to our nature and it discourages learning or ambition.
It places nature above culture, and a solitary individual above society. Inaction
is better than action according to the Tao Te Ching. A person has challenged the
Tao if he/ she is not allowing events to unfold according to their nature.
The Tao is compared by many Taoists to water. Water seeks the weakest
spot of any obstruction and applies constant force until it is free when it is restricted.
Given the slightest opening, water will pass through and will widen the opening if
possible. Water always try to do the easiest thing for as long as it can. According to
the Tao Te Ching, “there is nothing stronger and weaker than water, any yet there is
nothing better for attacking hard things and strong things”.

LEARNING COMPETENCY

Analyze the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs,

practices, and related issues of Taoism. (Quarter 2, Week 13)

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 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD
RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM

ACTIVITY 1: You Complete Me

Complete the crossword puzzle below by filling in a word
that corresponds to each clue.
2

4 5

Across
1. It is a spiritual philosophy that focuses on an individual’s outlook on life and the
world around him/her.
3. Its characteristics are warm, bright, and positive.
4. He is the founder of Taoism according to legends.
6. It is an element that Taoists compare to Tao.
7. When people are acting against the Tao it will result to an _________ life.
Down
1. It can be translated as “the way”.
2. Taoism is also known as___________.
5. A short book of the Taoists which means “the way of life”
6. In Taoism, it is a concept that means “doing nothing”.
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 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD
RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM
8. Its characteristics are cold, dark and mysterious.
ACTIVITY 2: Dig Deeper
Using the concept map discuss further the terminologies
given that pertain to the history, beliefs and practices of
Taoism/Daoism. After which, complete the statements
below.

WU WEI

TAO
LAO TZU

TAOISM/
DAOISM
TAO TE CHINA
CHING

YIN-YANG

Taoism started in
_____________________________________________________.
It is believed that it is founded
by__________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.

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 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD
RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM
Taoists believe on
_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.

ACTIVITY 3: Let’s Weigh Both Sides

Using the table below write at least three pros and cons
of Taoism/ Daoism and answer the question that
follows. Sample answer is given for your basis.

Pros Cons
It avoids stress and pressure for it emphasizes that It is criticized for promoting laziness by letting nature
rather than fighting the circumstances in life, one must take its course and reminding to just go with the flow.
go with the flow.

After weighing the pros and cons of Taoism/ Daoism, indeed there are concepts of it
in which one be benefited. What important aspect of Taoism/ Daoism can we adopt
which can greatly help us in facing challenges like this pandemic?
__________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

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RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM

ACTIVITY 4: I Can Live Without You

A. Make an inventory of your personal belongings found in your
bedroom. Considering the Taoist/Daoist teaching
that one should acquire only the things the one
needs to survive, list down on the box the things
you can do without.

________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________

B. In at least five sentences discuss your experiences in doing this activity by

reflecting on these questions: Was it hard to let go of the things you don’t need? Why
or why not? What are your realizations after doing the activity?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
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 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD
RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

RUBRIC FOR SCORING

for Activity 2 & 3

Category 100% 85% 70% 40%

Completion Fully Completed Partially Barely completed Did not complete

the task. completed the the task the task
task

Accuracy and No errors Few errors Many errors Did not complete
Content

Effort and Showed excellent Showed good Showed little Did not complete
Organization effort in effort in effort in and the ideas are
completing the completing the completing the disorganized.
graphic organizer graphic organizer graphic organizer
and ideas are and ideas are and lacks
well organized. organized. organization.

for Activity 4
Above Meet Approaching Below
expectations expectations expectations expectations
4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point
Reflective The reflection The reflection The reflection The reflection does
Thinking explains student’s explains student’s attempts to not address the
own thinking and own thinking and demonstrate student’s thinking
learning learning thinking about and/ or learning.
processes, as well processes. learning but is
as implications for vague and/or
future learnings. unclear about the
personal learning
process.
Analysis The reflection is an The reflection is an The reflection The reflection does
in-depth analysis analysis of the attempts to not move beyond a
of the learning learning analyze the description of the
experience, the experience and the learning learning
value of the value of the experience but the experience.
derived learning to derived learning to value of the
self or others, and self or others. learning the
the enhancement student or others is
of the student’s vague and/or
appreciation for unclear.
the discipline.
Making The reflection The reflection The reflection The reflection does
Connections articulates multiple articulates attempts to not articulate any

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 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD
RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM
connections connections articulate connection to other
between this between this connections learning or
learning learning between this experiences.
experience and experience and learning
content from other content from other experience and
courses, past courses, past content from other
learning, life learning, life courses, past
experiences and/or experiences and/or learning, life
future goals. future goals. experiences and/or
future goals, but
the connection is
vague and/or
unclear.

REFLECTION

1. I learned that ___________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

2. I enjoyed most on _______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

3. I want to learn more _____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

REFERENCES:

BOOKS
Ong, Jerome A., Jose, Mary Dorothy dL., (2016). Introduction to World
Religions and Belief Systems Learner’s Material and Teacher’s Guide. Vibal
Group, Inc.

WEBSITES:

https://mrdowling.com/documents/613-taoism.pdf. Accessed 21 July 2020.

https://www.whiteplainspublicschools.org/Page/20712. Accessed 27 July 2020.
earlycollegeconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Portfolio-Rubric-for-
Reflection.PRINT_.pdf. Accessed 27 July 2020.

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 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD
RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM

ANSWER KEY:

Activity 1
2
D
3
Y A N G

1
I
T A O I S M
A M
4 5
L A O T Z U
A
O
6
W A T E R
U
E
W
C
E
H
I
7
I
U
8
N H A P P YI
Activity 2 Possible answer G N

Wu wei- It is a principle of Taoism which means living in harmony with one’s own
nature. The one who exercises wu wei avoids aggression and bends to
accommodate life’s problem.
Tao- It can be translated as “the way.” Taoists view the Tao as the connection that
makes all life and movement in nature possible.
Tao Te Ching- It is the main text of Taoism. An English language translation of this
book is 128 pages. The Tao Te Ching recommends bending to accommodate rather
than breaking under the stresses of life. The book highlighted that we should live
according to our nature and it discourages learning or ambition.
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 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD
RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM
Yin-yang- The two opposite energies that comprise the Tao . The yin is cold, dark,
and mysterious; it is associated with the earth and is female. The yang is warm,
bright and positive; it is associated with the heavens and is male. The interaction of
yin and yang are revealed in changes.
China- It is where the religious tradition/ spiritual philosophy Taoism began.
Lao Tzu- A Chinese philosopher whom they believed as the founder of Taoism. It is
said that he was unhappy with moral decay of his time, so he withdrew to his home
to ponder about the meaning of life. According to legend, Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te
Ching, then rode through the gate, never to be seen again.
Sentence completion
Taoism started in China about 2,500 years ago. It is believed that it is founded
by Lao Tzu according to legends. It is said that he was unhappy with the moral
decay of his time, so he withdrew to his home to ponder the meaning of life. Lao Tzu
wrote the Tao Te Ching, then rode through the gate and never to be seen again
according to legends.

Taoists believe on wu wei a principle of Taoism which means living in harmony with
one’s own nature. The one who exercises wu wei avoids aggression and bends to
accommodate life’s problem. Taoists strive to live in harmony with the natural order.
The natural order is an unknowable force called the Tao. Tao can be translated as
“the way”. The Tao comprises two opposite energies, the yin-yang . The yin is cold,
dark, and mysterious; it is associated with the earth and is female. The yang is
warm, bright and positive; it is associated with the heavens and is male. The main
text of Taoism is Tao Te Ching. The book highlighted that we should live according
to our nature.

Activity 3
Pros and Cons- Sample answer already given for basis
Process Question- Answer may vary

Activity 4
Answer may vary

Prepared by:

PAUL KHYVIN P. PARCASIO

Writer

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