Daoism Vocabulary
• Ch'i (Qi) – the flow of energy in the Dao. Qi is often translated
"natural energy", "life force", or "energy flow". Qi is basis for
traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts.
• Dao – Chinese term for ultimate reality, the Way, Nature, or God.
Similar to Brahman in Hinduism and Dharma and Nirvana in
Buddhism, the Dao is the elemental substance or fundamental
essence of the universe, the inexpressible source of the universe
• Daoism – the way. The belief that there is a natural order by which
people can live in harmony with nature. Those who follow Daoism
try to harmonize their life with the Dao. Daoist deities include nature
spirits, ancient legendary heroes, planets and stars that have been
anthropomorphized. The most important god is Yu Huang-ti (theJade
Emperor) who is associated with the ancient Chinese god Shang Di.
Daoism Vocabulary
• Dao De Jing – Foundational literature of Daoism attributed to Lao Tzu,
The Dao De Jing explains how to live life according to the Dao.
• Feng Shui – Metaphysical laws that determine how we should design
and arrange our living spaces. These arrangements follow the
patterns of yin and yang and the flow of energy (qi).
• I-Ching – Book of Changes. One of the oldest Chinese books. The IChing is a system of divination.
• Laozi (800 B.C.) – developed Chinese philosophy known as “Daoism”
which is found in Laozi’s writings, called the book of Dao De Jing or
The Way and Its Power.
• T’ai chi – Chinese martial art to help people maximize their health.
Daoism Vocabulary
• Wu-wei – the Daoist teaching that we can succeed if we proceed
without struggle or to bend with the wind. The central teaching of
Wu Wei is quietude.
• Yin-Yang – a way to describe how opposite or contrary energies in
nature are interconnected and interdependent.
• Zhuangzi – (369-286 BC) leading Daoist philosopher.
Vocabulary for Confucianism
• Analects of Kong Fuzi – Confucian writings attributed to Kong fuzi.
• Ancestor worship – honoring the dead and avoiding their displeasure,
with home shrines, gravesites, prayers, and offerings to avoid bad
luck. Ancestor worship spread in Zhou Dynasty (1122- 256 BC) when
in addition to praying to Shang Di people also prayed to their
ancestors.
• Filial piety – Respect owed to one's parents and ancestors.
• Five relationships of Kong Fuzi – Kong Fuzi taught five types of
relationships: the relationship between father and son, the
relationship between husband and wife, the relationship between
elder brother and younger brother, the relationship between elder
friend and younger friend, and the relationship between emperor
and subject.
• Five virtues of Kong Fuzi – 1) Ren is the virtue of benevolence, charity,
and humanity; 2) Yi is the virtue of honesty and uprightness. Yi
includes zhong or loyalty and shu or reciprocity treat others as you
would like them to treat you; 3) Zhi is the virtue of knowledge; 4) Xin
is the virtue of truthfulness; and Li is the virtue of correct behavior
especially in society.
Vocabulary for Confucianism
• Han Feizi – Chinese philosopher who developed the legalistic
teaching of the School of Law. Han Feizi was part of the ruling
aristocracy and his relatives were members of the ruling class.
• Jade Emperor – ruler of Heaven.
• Junzi – (lord's son) Kong Fuzi taught ethical values by using an
imaginary person called the junzi which he used to describe an ideal
person. The junzi could be translated as "gentleman", "superior
person" or "exemplary person". The junzi exhibits li in all his/her
relationships. The junzi also exhibits ren.
• Li – The principles of harmony that should rule in society, especially
between the members of a family, citizens of a nation, and between
ruler and subjects. Li includes Confucian rituals, courtesy, and
propriety.
• Kong Fuzi (c. 551-479 BC) – Ancient founder of major Chinese ethical
system recorded in the Analects, stressing honorable behavior.
• Mozi (479 to 381 B.C.) taught that we should love all people. Mozi’s
teachings challenged Confucianism and Daoism and was successful
until it was replaced by the legalism of Hans Feizi. His moral
teachings emphasized self-reflection rather than obedience to
ritual. He believed that the best teacher in life is adversity. Mozi
taught people to lead a life of self-restraint and asceticism. NeoConfucianism – new ideas of Confucianism popularized by Zhu Xi
(1130–1200) who incorporated some Buddhist ideas into the
teachings of Kong Fuzi.
• Ren – the Confucian virtue of benevolence and kindness towards
others especially along the five relationships.
• Ru – the Chinese scholars called Mandarins.
• Shang Di – ruler of heaven during Shang Dynasty.
• Shu – sometimes translated as “reciprocity”, is similar to the concept
of the golden rule—do unto others as you would have them do unto
you. Shu helps us know how to live in harmony.
• Tian – “heaven”. During the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC), Shangdi
was worshipped then during the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC), Tian
(heaven) replaced the concept of Shangdi.
• Mandarins – A high public official of imperial China also called “Ru”.
• Mandate of Heaven – Tian Ming the divine right for rulers to rule.
• Mencius – (372-289 B.C.) second greatest Chinese Confucian
philosopher who believed that human nature was basically good.
• Ming dynasty – The imperial dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644 BC.
• Xunzi – (298-238 B.C.) an important Confucian teacher believed that
man is inherently evil.
Confucian Vocabulary
• Zhu Xi – (1130–1200 BC) Neo-Confucianist who added Buddhist
ideas into the teachings of Kong Fuzi.
• Zhongyong (Chung yung) – Confucian philosophy. Chung means
“straight and unbent”, and yung means “unchanging”. The goal of
Zhongyong is to keep your balance and stay in harmony with the
yourself, others, and the dao.