Chinese Religions - Daoism and Buddhism Flashcards
What practice is especially important in Daoism?
Divination (fortune telling). Ancestor worship also played a key role but it was not as important as it was in Confucianism.
Daoism was heavily influenced by…
the ancient Chinese folk religion
Daoism was founded by…
Laozi (between 575–300 BCE)
Who was Laozi?
Lived between 575-300 BCE; the “founder” of Daoism. Scholars doubt that he was one person though… The growing consensus is that Laozi is a combination of several philosophers.
Laozi was likely invented to…
compete with Confucianism and serve as the author of the Daodejing.
What was the Daodejing? Who wrote it? What does it mean?
The Daodejing is the foundational text for Daoism. Dao means “the way” and jing means “virtue”. It may have meant the virtue and the way though.
Who was Zhuangzi?
He was an actual historical figure who lived in the 300s BCE. He wrote the other foundational text for Daoism, which is named after him.
What is philosophical Daoism? What is religious Daoism?
Philosophical Daoism was formed by the Daodejing and Zhuangzi. Religious Daoism was formed around 180 BCE with the development of the Celestial Masters school. It added deities.
What is the Dao?
“The One, which is natural, spontaneous, eternal, nameless, and indescribable. It is at once the beginning of all things and the way in which all things pursue their course.“
AKA the flow of the universe.
What is Wu Wei?
A key concept in Daoism. It means “without action,” or a “creative quietude.” It means that the Universe works harmoniously as is, so we shouldn’t do anything to disrupt that harmony. We are encouraged to have our agency and will, but we should go with the river’s flow.
What is Pu?
A key concept in Daoism. It represents a passive state of receptiveness. Pu is a symbol of a state of pure potential and perception without prejudice. In this state, Daoists believe everything is seen as it is, without preconceptions or illusions.
Similar to the Mindfulness meditation of Buddhism.
What are the three treasures?
Primary virtues in Daoism including Compassion, Moderation, and Humility
What do Daoists believe about the Universe?
Daoists believe the universe is in a constant
process of re-creating itself, as everything that exists is a mere aspect of qi, which, “condensed, becomes life; diluted, it is indefinite potential.”
What do Daoists believe about Qi?
Qi is in a perpetual transformation between its condensed and diluted state. These two different states of qi are embodiments of the abstract entities of yin and yang, two complimentary extremes that constantly play against and with each other and can not exist without the other. Qi is the life energy of things.
What are the yin and the yang?
Everything has both yin and yang aspects as light cannot exist without darkness and vice-versa.
Yin: female, corresponds to the moon (darkness) - passive, shaded, reflective
Yang: male, corresponds to the sun (light) - active, bright, shining
Male toughness was balanced by female gentleness, male action and initiative by female endurance and need for completion, and male leadership by female supportiveness.
