Taoism, Introduction to World Religion.pptx

One of the lessons in the subject "Introduction to World Religion" is Taoism. Taoism has been connected to the philosopher Lao Tzu, who, around 500 B.C.E., wrote the main book of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching. Taoism holds that humans and animals should live in balance with the Tao, or the universe. Taoists believe in spiritual immortality, where the spirit of the body joins the universe after death.

1. TAOISM

2. TAOISM Taoism (Daoism) is another world religion that is native to China. It is generally believed to have been founded by Lao Tzu (or Laozi), the traditionally recognized author of the primary foundational text of Taoism entitled Tao Te Ching (or Dao-de Jing).

3. Lao Tzu Statue in Yuanyuan Taoist Temple in Guangzhou, China

4. Story Time!

5. SACRED TEXTS a) Tao Te Ching b) Chuang Tzu

6. a) TAO TE CHING The Tao Te Ching (sometimes called the Laozi ) is the most important text of Taoism. Tao basically means “ way ,” but the whole title has been translated in various ways: sometimes as “The Way and Its Power,” sometimes as “The Classic of the Way’s Virtues,” sometimes as “True Classic of the Way and the Power.”

7. TAO TE CHING Basically, the book talks about the “Tao” in terms of its reality and fundamentality, how it can be known, whether it can be expressed in words, and its different manifestations in various areas of life.

8. b) CHUANG TZU Next in importance to the Tao Te Ching is the book that has been called Chuang Tzu after the name of its recognized lead writer, the Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu.

9. b) CHUANG TZU It which aims to expound and elaborate on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching.

10. TAO AND RELATED CONCEPTS

11. The Nameless Origin of the All Things The Tao Te Ching begins with the following passages: The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth. The named is the mother of myriad things.

12. The Tao flows (moves and changes) peacefully and leads to the harmony among opposites. The / Ching , or the Book of Changes , speaks of the natural way of harmonizing the opposing forces in nature in terms of the principle of the yin and yang. Yin is the dark force (or principle), while yang is the light force. The Way and Harmony of Opposites

13. Wu-Wei What humans can only do is either go with the flow of nature or resist it. Whatever humans do in relation to the Tao, however, will have consequences. Generally, interfering with the Tao, or the natural course of things, will result in conflict, chaos, and damages; while going with its natural flow, or living in harmony with the Tao, will result in peace, order, and preservation. This is the Taoist concepts of Te and Wu- wei .

14. Taoist Deities

15. The Three Pure Ones The most important of the Taoist deities are the ones constituting the so-called the Three Pure Ones or Three Purities (called Sanjing or San Ching), which is regarded as the Taoist version of the Trinity. These gods are considered the pure manifestations of the Tao.

16. The Three Pure Ones The first is called the “Jade Pure One” ( Yuanshi Tianzun ) or the “Primeval Lord of the Heaven.” 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. The second is called the “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). The third is called the “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.

17. ISSUES

18. Taoist Meditation It’s g oal is to harmoniously relate with the divinities or sacred elements of one’s body. It is believed that if one does not practice meditation, the divinities that inhabit one’s body will leave, causing one to get sick. Meditation, in this sense, promotes both spiritual and physical health. Other aims to calm and empty the mind and circulate chi (referring to life energy). Taoists Practices

19. Tai Chi Tai Chi (or T a i Chi Ch’uan ) is a popular Chinese form of exercise and martial art that is closely associated with Taoism. It aims to harmonize the principle of the yin and yang into a sequence of slow, rhythmic, and flowing movements, with carefully prescribed stances and positions. The goal is to stimulate and harmonize chi— referring to life energy—for health, vitality and self-defense. Taoists Practices

20. Fung Shui Fung Shui is generally a system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment. Fung Shui, in its popular sense, refers to the practice of choosing or configuring a structure or site in order for this structure or site to be in harmony with the spiritual forces that inhabit it. It has its roots in Taoism for emphasizing the interconnectedness of everything around us and the harmonious flow of chi. Taoists Practices

21. Taoist Alchemy Alchemy generally refers to “the transmutation of one substance, or a combination of substances, into another substance, especially one that is more valuable, powerful, or imbued with paranormal properties. Historically, this often meant turning ordinary metal into gold, but it also referred to creating potions that could cure diseases, prevent aging and death, or confer supernatural powers”. Taoists Practices

22. Just like the other world religions, Taoism celebrates the birthdays of its various gods and goddesses on certain days following the lunar calendar. Some Taoist festivals are celebrated in Taoist temples. Some are generally Chinese festivals such as the Chinese New Year, the Festival of Lanterns, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Ghost Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Taoists Festivals

23. Philosophical Taoism Religious Taoism Taoists Denomination and Challenges

24. Major Taoist Denominations There are three major Taoist denominations which can be classified as ancient and modern forms of Taoism. The ancient form is the a) Way of the Celestial Masters , while the modern forms are the b) Way of Orthodox Unity and the c) Way of Complete Perfection . The Way of Orthodox Unity generally sees itself as a modern version of the Way of the Celestial Masters, while the Way of Complete Perfection does not.

25. Way of the Celestial Masters The first institutional Taoism, and thus we can say the first Taoist sect, was called the Way of the Celestial Masters (T’ien-shih Tao). I t was founded by Chang Tao-ling around the second century. While Taoism was founded by Lao Tzu, it was Chang Tao-ling who transformed Taoism into an institutional religion, as an organized religious movement. This movement regarded Lao Tzu, whom they referred to as “Lord Lao,” either as identical to the Tao or as a divine manifestation of the Tao.

26. Way of Orthodox Unity Way of Complete Perfection C urrently, there are two major Taoist sects in China: the Way of Orthodox Unity , the liturgical and ritualistic branch that is more common in southern China and Taiwan; and the Way of Complete Perfection , the monastic branch that is more common in northern China.