TAOISM
PREPARED BY: ENGELBERT P. TEJADA SHS TEACHER II
Reminder: Please observe minimum health protocols.
REVIEW OF THE PAST LESSON
1. What is the basis of the Teachings and
beliefs of Confucianism?
2. How should a person live according to the
book: Doctrine of the Mean?
3. What are the five Cardinal Relations in
Confucianism?
Learning Objectives:
1. Trace the historical background of
Daoism;
2. Explain the core teachings, fundamental
beliefs, practices, and related issues of
Daoism;
3. Appreciate Daoism as a philosophy and
religion.
1.JUMBLE SOLVER!
Answer:
TAOISM
ITOMSA
A nature-based philosophy and
religion that flourished in China
during the late Bronze Age and
became an official religion during
the Tang Dynasty
2.JUMBLE SOLVER!
Answer:
Yin-Yang
INYNYGA
It is one of the most famous symbols
represented in Taoism. The
meaning
behind the symbol is that the colors,
black and white, are complementary
forces (rather than opposing forces)
3. JUMBLE SOLVER!
Answer:
LAO ZI
OLIZA
According to the myth, he was
conceived by a shooting star and
was
born of a virgin mother, who kept
him in her womb for 82 years.
4. JUMBLE SOLVER!
Answer:
CHI
HIC
It refers to the natural
energy or life
force that sustains living
beings
5. JUMBLE SOLVER!
Answer:
EXORCISM
MEXOCRSI
A ritual performed in cases
of
sickness with the goal of
gaining
victory over the evil spirits.
I. Historical Background
Daoism is a nature-based philosophy
authored and founded by Lao Tzu (c.500 BCE).
The focal idea of Daoism is the relationship of
human beings and the nature. Daoist believe
that everything comes from the Dao (The Way).
Human nature should be aligned with the rest of
the nature to achieve harmony and balance. Self
cultivation should be encouraged for Daoist to
return to the natural mode of existence.
Historical Background
The ultimate goal of Daoists was to conform
to the great pattern of nature, which is called Dao,
or “The Way.” As a philosophy, Daoism focuses on
the great mysteries of the Dao; as a religion, its
goal is to achieve long life and, ultimately,
immortality.
LAO-TZU (LAO ZI)
5th or 6th Century BC
The name “Lao Tzu,” in the world of
learning, also means “old master” or “old scholar.”
According to the Myth, Laozi was conceived by a
shooting star and was born of a virgin mother,
who kept him in her womb for 82 years; he was
said to be born with flowing hair, which signifies
that he would become a wise man.
Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)
369-286 BCE
According to Sima Qian, his last name was Chuang,
his given name was Chou, and Tzu means “master,” thus
Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi) means “Master Chuang.” He was
born in the town of Meng in a small state of Sung, near the
border between present-day Hunan and Shandong
Province.
Zhuangzi is considered a great philosopher and a
great writer, and he wrote a book, together with his
followers, which became known as Zhuangzi, and was
believed to be completed before the HanDynasty.
(Fairbank and Reischauer 1989)
II. SACRED TEXT OF TAOISM
• Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching)-Daoism’s foundational text,
meaning “The Book of the Way and its Power”. This short book of
around 5,000 Chinese characters is divided into 81 brief chapters filled
with short, enigmatic paragraphs of advice on life, and poetic
descriptions of the nature of the universe. Taoists regard the Tao te
Ching as the essential guide to living a full spiritual and ethical life.
• Book of Chuang Tzu-Written during the third century B.C.E.
and attributed to a man named Zhuangzi, the second founder of
Daoism. It consists of delightful parables, metaphors, and poetic
passages, and is praised for its high literary value which represents the
most significant formulation of early Daoist thought.
III. Concepts, Beliefs, Doctrines and
Practices
1. The Dao- The Tao (or Dao) is hard to define but is
sometimes understood as the way of the universe. The Dao is
distinct from God. It is not a being for it is the origin of all
beings.
2. Deity/God (Dao as the Origin of all Beings)-Daoism does
not have a God unlike other religions in the world. However,
the Dao itself is not God and is not worshipped by the Daoists.
Instead, they worship deities, who are gods of a particular role,
and they traditionally worship Lao Tzu not only as the first god
of Daoism but also as the representation of the Dao.
The Three “Pure One”
A. “Jade Pure One” or the “Primeval Lord of the Heaven” (Yuanshi
Tianzun).He is believed to be residing in the Heaven of Jade Purity. He is
described as eternal, limitless, without form, the source of everything,
and the administrator of Heaven. He is the highest Taoist deity.
B. “Supreme Pure One” or “Lord of the Numinous Treasure”
(Lingbao Tianzun). He is associated with the principle of yin and yang,
and is considered the source of Taoist knowledge and scripture (the Tao
Te Ching).
C. “Grand Pure One” or “Lord of the Way and its Virtue” (Daode
Tianzun). He is believed to have been manifested or incarnated in the
form of Lao Tzu. He is depicted as having pure white beard, symbolizing
his being an eminent, aged ruler.
III. Concepts, Beliefs, Doctrines and
Practices
3. Yin- Yang-The Yin-Yang (meaning “shady side” and “sunny side”) is one of the
most famous symbols represented in Taoism. The meaning behind the symbol is
that the colors, black and white, are complementary forces (rather than
opposing forces).
4. The De- means virtue or the proper adherence to Dao. It refers to the power
to bring the Tao into realization.
5. Wu Wie- Wu-Wei means “no behaviour” or “doing nothing.” It also means “to
do without doing” or “actionless activity.”
6. Qi/Chi- Chi is the force that sets the world and everything in it into motion.
The qi refers to the natural energy or life force that sustains living beings. Qi
literally means “air’ or “vapor.”
IV. Worship and Observances
Exorcism- performed in cases of sickness with
the goal of gaining victory over the evil spirits.
Chiao (jiao) - is a cosmic renewal which is
made up of several small rituals. A shortened
version of this ritual requires the local villagers
to present offerings to the deities, to bring
peace and prosperity to the village.
IV. Worship and Observances
Exorcism
Chiao (jiao)
IV. Worship and Observances
A. Meditative Practices Daoist sage exemplifies the virtue of humility.
The sage also manifests the virtue of non-competition by not competing
but emerging victorious nonetheless.
B. Moral Practices - Daoists tend not to initiate action; instead they wait
for events to make action necessary, avoiding letting their own desires and
compulsions push them into doing things. Generally, Daoism, just like
other religions, disapprove of killing, stealing, lying, and promiscuity. It
promotes philanthropic, selfless, and humane behaviour. Good behaviour
is seen as an essential part not only of selfimprovement but the world as a
whole.
IV. Worship and Observances
Goal
Practices
To attain

use of potions (led to the practice of alchemical experiments which made
longevity and
lasting contributions in various fields such as chemistry, medicine, and
immortality
pharmacology)

practice meditation (includes experiments with one’s self, especially the
body through the use of methods of inner alchemy, associated with yoga
and other forms of meditation)

breathing technique (to be in contact with qi, for longevity and to counter
aging.
To dispel
- Jiao Festival (or the rite of cosmic renewal, celebrated to rededicate thee
illness or
local temple and to renew the whole community by cleansing it from suffering
suffering
and hardships. - Refrain from eating grain (based on the Daoist belief that
illness is caused by three corpse worms which reside in the body and eating
grain will encourage these worms to stay. - Confession and purging of one’s
sin (based on the belief that illness may be caused by wrongdoings)
V. SELECTED ISSUES
A. Fatalism - Daoism has been criticized for propagating laziness or
espousing a fatalistic attitude in life by letting nature take its course and
reminding Daoist to just go with the flow.
B. Superstition - There is a misconception that Daoism involves
sorcery, which includes the drawing of signs, chants, and other practices
which led to the notion that Daoism promotes superstitious practices.
C. Urban Development - Environmentalism is one issue confronted by
Daoism. Daoists believe in the dictum “leave nature alone and nature will
thrive.”
Thank you!