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Introduction to Daoism |
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Introduction |
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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 |
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Religious Daoism: Daoist Deities |
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Philosophical History of Lao Zi |
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| 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 |
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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.
For more information, visit the Lao Tzu calligraphy section. |
The Major Sects of Daoism |
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The Dao |
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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.
The first mention of the Chinese character "Dao" in the Tao Te Ching was in chapter 1. For images and more information, visit the Tao calligraphy section. |
Yin and Yang |
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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...
The first mention of the Chinese characters Yin and Yang was in chapter 42 of the Tao Te Ching, in the phrase "wan wu fu yin er bao yang." For images and more information, visit the Yin and Yang calligraphy section. |
Wu Wei |
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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. The first mention of Wu Wei in the Tao Te Ching was in chapter 3, in the
phrase "wei wu wei."
For images and more information, visit the Wu-Wei calligraphy section. |
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...
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Three Jewels |
There are three jewels (characteristics) that Daoists should cherish
as mentioned in Dao De Jing chapter 67. They
are...
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