Taoism

1. Taoism Angela P. Alanah S. Kirsten A. Amanda T.

2. Founder • The religion of Taoism was founded by Lao Zi on the 6th century BC china because of the intense state of the region at the time. During this period, the different states of china were at war and the people needed some sort of comfort and philosophical explanation for their suffering. Taoism happened to be one of the rising explanations along with Confucianism and legalism.

3. Major leaders/prophets • Zhuangzi: Taoist philosopher, wrote an influential piece arguing about the limit of wisdom • Chuen Tuan: profit of Taoism, supporting peace and breaking up wars. • Taoism is a religion, with many God’s and Goddesses. Emperor of the gods is the Jade emperor. The other gods report to him and he judges whether human souls should go to heaven or hell. He is most well known for his mercy and compassion. Taoist gods rule over seasons, and represent human morals.

4. Basic Beliefs of this religion • There are God’s in the Taoist religion, they are just considered to be of little to no importance. What’s more important is the way one lives their life. Tao means “the way of” • A belief of Taoism is the fact that the universe is a mysterious and undefinable force called the Tao • Life is the greatest of all possessions and life is to be lived simply • Pursuing material wealth, fame, power, stature, prestige, pomp, or glory is to be despised. • Taoism’s Ten Precepts which the individual is expected to uphold: • Do not kill but always be mindful of the host of living beings. • Do not be lascivious or think depraved thoughts. • Do not steal or receive unrighteous wealth. • Do not cheat or misrepresent good and evil. • Do not get intoxicated but always think of pure conduct. • I will maintain harmony with my ancestors and family and never disregard my kin. • When I see someone do a good deed, I will support him with joy and delight. • When I see someone unfortunate, I will support him with dignity to recover good fortune. • When someone comes to do me harm, I will not harbor thoughts of revenge. • As long as all beings have not attained the Tao, I will not expect to do so myself.  (Kohn, 2004, p. 184)

5. Continued powerpoint • Important dates: 1/1 New year (Spring Festival) • 1/1 New moon • 1/1 Tian Na Ri (Heaven Worship) • 1/9 Yu qing (jade emperor) Birthday • 1/15 Tian Guan Da Di birthday • 3/18 HouTu Huang Di Zhi Birthday • The holy books of Taoism are the Daozang and Zhuangzi • The symbol of this religion is the yin yang. It represents half of good and half of bad. It represents that good and bad should be even

6. Taoism divisions • No formal sects, but there are formal divisions • Lao-Chuang Tradition: It’s a general name given to ta cluster of authors and their texts from hundred schools period. • Huang-Lao Taoism: This was a short-lived from the early part of the Han Dynasty. • The first actual communities that can really be called taoist developed a few hundered years after the classical period.

7. - The process of death itself is described as shijie or "release from the corpse", but what happens after is described variously as transformation immortality or ascension to heaven. • - In Taoism when one dies if they need to be contacted it is done so through meditation by an alchemist. In Taoism death is seen as just another phase in life, something that must happen and that we must all accept.  People believe if they do what they have to do and are supposed to do then when they die they will be granted immortality • Taoist ceremonies for the dead often include an altar upon which are placed a sacred lamp, two candles, tea, rice, and water, and black. These elements all go in a cycle that when balanced are used to symbolize the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. These elements are further equated with specific colors: green, red, yellow, incense represents refinement and purification of the soul, also known as the inner energies. The ceremony usually takes place in a person’s house and is held over an odd number of days, usually three, five or seven days. The candle is lit up for the body all that time before burial. During the vigil and the funeral the relatives wear white.

8. Taoism religion spread pitt • Taoism has spread through aristocrats and emperors supporting the religion. Its popularity was never truly dominant because of other religions such as Confucianism. • During the Yellow Turban Rebellion Taoist radicals rebelled against the aristocrats confucianism. Leading to a class war with many lives lost and plenty of bloodshed • This religion has been native to China and has not expanded much farther than that • Because of its low popularity today, the percentage of people who actually practice Taoism is unknown

9. Japanese history timeline

10. Modern Taoism • Today Taoism isnt a very popular religion and has little influence on world issues. But its followers are very committed and dedicated. Less than 6% of the worlds population worships this religion

11. Gender Roles • Women are encouraged to take on more masculine qualities, while men are taught to get in touch with their feminine characteristics. This tradition led the women to lead independent lives.   • Taoism stresses the idea that many people have an overpowering masculine side (yang) and less feminine qualities (yin). The yin characteristics have more “womanly” traits. • Religion is still focused on the influence of the feminine side in women.

12. Citations • "Taoism and Death." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Jan. 2014. Web. 06 Feb. 2014. • “Library." Taoism Beliefs, Taoism Afterlife and Salvation. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2014. • "Taoism." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 June 2014. Web. 06 Feb. 2014. • "Library." Taoism Ethics, Morality, Community, Taoism Gender and Sexuality. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014. • "Important Taoist Dates | WuDangTao.com." Important Taoist Dates | WuDangTao.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014.