World

Introduction to
Religions

DAOISM
 1 What I Know...

K-W-L 2 What I Want to Know...

3 What I Have Learned...

1 Pre-Assessment
 EAST ASIAN RELIGIONS

All East Asian religions are concerned with preserving

harmony between every being in the universe, as there
is a preordained appropriate place and pattern of
behaviour for each one.
ORIGIN OF DAOISM
 ORIGIN OF DAOISM

The roots of Daoism are lost in the

mists of Chinese antiquity and very
The roots of Daoism are lost in the mists of Chinese antiquity and very little know of its founder.

little know of its founder.

It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the
Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]
ORIGIN OF DAOISM

It takes its name from the

book Dàodéjing or Tao Te
Ching ["Classic of the Way of
Virtue"], a work attributed to
the Chinese philosopher-poet
called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]
 ORIGIN OF DAOISM

By the fourth century CE, Mahayana

Buddhism had become prevalent in
The roots of Daoism are lost in the mists of Chinese antiquity and very little know of its founder.
China, initially coexisting peacefully
It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the

with Daoism. Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]

 ORIGIN OF DAOISM

However, fierce struggles to gain influence with

various
The rootsrulers
of Daoism areand
lost in thecontrol
mists of Chinesein theandprovinces
antiquity very little know of its of
founder.

It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the

China arose between Daoists and Buddhists,

Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]

leading to mutual hostility and even persecution.

THE DAODEJING
 THE DAODEJING

It is the most influential piece of Chinese literature. Its

mainThedeclaration is that all human achievements a

roots of Daoism are lost in the mists of Chinese antiquity and very little know of its founder.

It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the
foolishness; it consists of slightly more than five
Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]

thousand words contained in 81 chapters and usually

translated to poetic form.

 THE DAODEJING

The Daodejing focuses on the harmony of opposites

The roots of Daoism are lost in the mists of Chinese antiquity and very little know of its founder.
within the peaceful flow the Dao. It also adds the
It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the
Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]
concept on the individual's relationship to nature and

society, insisting that it is best to let things take their

THE YIN AND YANG
THE YIN AND YANG

• The universe operated as a balance

between the yin and yang.

• Yang is the positive force in nature

manifested in light, warmth, dryness, and
maleness.

• Yin is seen in darkness, cold, dampness,

and femaleness.
THE DAo
 THE DAO

Intrinsically related to the concepts yan and ying is a mysterious

and indefinable force

The roots of Daoism called
are lost theofDao
in the mists Chinese[path,
antiquity way,
and veryroad], which
little know is a
of its founder.

It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the
Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]
harmonious union of these opposites.

The Dao, as the ultimate source of all being, lies behind the basic unity
CULTURES AND
TRADITIONS OF
DAOISm
 C U LT U R E S A N D T R A D I T I O N S O F D A O I S M

• Martial Arts
• Vegetarianism and exercise
The roots of Daoism are lost in the mists of Chinese antiquity and very little know of its founder.

• Feng Shui and Astrology

It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the
Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]

• Internal Alchemy
• Rituals
BASIC DOCTRINES OF
DAOISM
 THE BASIC DOCTRINES OF DAOISM

THE MEANING AND VALUE OF LIFE

The roots of Daoism are lost in the mists of Chinese antiquity and very little know of its founder.
-
It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the
Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]
Life alone is the greatest of all possessions and must be

preserved and enjoyed. Life is to be live simply and as quietly

as possible, the ideal state characterized by childlike

 THE BASIC DOCTRINES OF DAOISM

THE WAY TO ACHIEVE PERSONAL HAPPINNESS AND

FULFILLMENT
The roots of Daoism are lost in the mists of Chinese antiquity and very little know of its founder.

It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the
- Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]

The Dao is the one true source of

harmony and peace. Happiness is attained by discovering the Dao and

4 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF
DAOISM
 4 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF DAOISM

1. SIMPLICITY, PATIENCE, COMPASSION

“Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest

The roots of Daoism are lost in the mists of Chinese antiquity and very little know of its founder.

It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the
treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the
Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]

source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you

accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself,

 4 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF DAOISM

2. GOING WITH THE FLOW

“WhenThenothing is aredone,
roots of Daoism nothing
lost in the is left
mists of Chinese undone.”
antiquity and very little know of its founder.

It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the
Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]
3. LETTING GO

“If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will

try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing
 4 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF DAOISM

4. HARMONY
The roots of Daoism are lost in the mists of Chinese antiquity and very little know of its founder.
“Tao engenders One; One engenders Two; Two engenders
It takes its name from the book Dàodéjing or Tao Te Ching ["Classic of the Way of Virtue"], a work attributed to the
Chinese philosopher-poet called Lǎozi ["Old Master"]
Three; Three engenders all things. All things carry the yin

(femininity) while embrace the yang (masculinity). Neutralising

THANK YOU