Taoism and Peace
Leo R. Sandy
Taoism and Peace
 Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is based on the teachings of
the Tao Te Ching, a short tract written in the 6th century
BCE in China.
 Taoism emphasizes spiritual harmony within the
individual, complementing Confucianism's focus on social
duty. The two great Chinese belief systems were founded
at about the same time and continue to exist side-by-side
in today's China.
 There are two main schools within Taoism, usually called
"philosophical Taoism" (Tao-chia) and "religious Taoism"
(Tao-chaio).
Taoism cont’d
 Philosophical Taoism tends to focus on the philosophical
writings of Lao-Tzu, Chuang-Tzu and other early mystics
while religious Taoism emphasizes religious rituals aimed
at attaining immortality.
 There are 20 million Taoists worldwide, most of whom
live in China, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia. Taoism is also
increasingly influential in the West, especially in the fields
of alternative medicine and martial arts like Tai Chi.
 Taoism is Based on teachings of Lao-Tzu, c. 550 BC, China.
Taoism
 The belief system is Pantheism - the Tao pervades all. Yinyang - opposites make up a unity.
 There is a general attitude of detachment and nonstruggle, "go with the flow" of the Tao. Tai-chi,
acupuncture, and alchemy aim to increase longevity.
 Texts include Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters); Nihongi (Chronicles of Japan)
Taoism cont’d
 Here are three easy starting steps to learning Taoism:
1. Don’t concentrate on the definition of the Tao (this will
come later naturally)
2. Understand what Taoism really is. Taoism is more than just a
“philosophy” or a “religion”. Taoism should be understood as being:
A system of belief, attitudes, and practices set towards the service
and living to a person’s own nature.
3.The path of understanding Taoism is simply accepting
yourself. Live life and discover who you are. Your nature is ever
changing and is always the same. Don’t try to resolve the various
contradictions in life; instead, learn acceptance of your nature.
Taoism cont’d
 Basic Guidelines:
With care, I aid those who are extended expressions of
my nature.
Be true to myself
Connect to the world as I want to be treated.
Connect to those outside my nature with decisive
action.
To those unwilling to accept me for my true nature, no
action is required: Just silently let them be themselves
as I remain myself.
I own nothing; I am merely a passing custodian of items
outside of my nature.
Taoism cont’d
 The truth taught in Taoism is to embrace life in actions
that support you as a person. Taoism teaches a person to
live to their heart.
 The truth taught in Taoism is to embrace life in actions
that support you as a person.
 Taoism teaches a person to live to their heart.
Taoism cont’d
 It is a religion of unity and opposites; Yin and Yang .The
principle of Yin Yang sees the world as filled with
complementary forces - action and non-action, light and
dark, hot and cold, and so on
 The Tao is not God and is not worshipped. Taoism
includes many deities that are worshipped in Taoist
temples; they are part of the universe and depend, like
everything, on the Tao
Taoism cont’d
 Taoism promotes
Achieving harmony or union with nature
The pursuit of spiritual immortality
Being 'virtuous' (but not ostentatiously so)
Self-development
Taoism cont’d
 Taoist practices include
 Meditation
 Feng Shui
 Fortune Telling
 Reading and chanting of scriptures
Taoism cont’d
 Taoism is acceptance of your life.
 Taoism is following your breath to find peace.
 Taoism is opening up a smile to enable
possibility.
Quotes
Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions
and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you
accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in
the world
- Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live
- Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
A leader is best
When people barely know he exists
Of a good leader, who talks little,
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
They will say, “We did this ourselves
- Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Video
 The Taoist Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing: The barefoot
Doctor at TEDxHackney
Organizations
Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA: http://www.taoist.org/usa/
DaoUSA: http://daousa.org/
References
Taoism. Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/taoism
Tao 101. Retrieved from
http://personaltao.com/teachings/taoism/taoism-101/
Taoism at a Glance. Retrieved from
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/ataglance/glance.sht
ml
The Taoist Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing. Retrieved from
https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-adkadk_sbnt&hsimp=yhsadk_sbnt&hspart=adk&p=TED+talk+Taoism#id=1&vid=1dabf789d9305
d9c1b67d9ff668afd8f&action=click
References cont’d
 Tao Te Ching Quotes. Retrieved from
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/100074