Daoist Principles and Classical Daoism Flashcards
what is the meaning of “Lao”?
“old master”
when did Laozi live?
during the Zhou dynasty
who was the founder of Daoism?
Laozi
what is a dynasty?
a historical period in which the rulers are a family (determined by last name)
what was significant about the Zhou dynasty?
- longest era of peace
- peaceful era
what were the circumstances of Laozi’s birth?
he was conceived after his mom saw a shooting star, he stayed in the womb for eight years
what was Laozi’s occupation?
he worked for the government as a record keeper
why did Laozi leave his government position?
he knew the Zhou dynasty would come to an end, and he wanted to leave before that happened
what did the gatekeeper ask Laozi after he left the city?
he asked him to record his wisdom / write the Daodejing
what is the literal meaning of Daodejing?
“scripture of the path”
what is the first perspective that Laozi is NOT real?
- that “old master” is a title and not a name
- it is merely a sign of respect for an elderly person
what is the scholarly explanation for Laozi NOT being real?
- that the Daodejing has multiple authors
- it wasn’t written by one person so he can’t be real
what is the perspective that Laozi IS real?
- this is the Chinese/Daoist perspective
what is the significance of Laozi riding a water buffalo?
the buffalo indicates contentment/humbleness
(there is no rush)
what is the literal meaning of “Dao”?
“the path” or “the way”
is the word Dao exclusive to Daoism?
no, it is used by Buddhists and Confucians
who does this quote represent?
“the vinegar is sour, we must teach the correct recipe in order to make proper pickles”
what is the message?
Confucius
(that we must educate people to prevent corruption in the government)
what is the Confucian meaning of Dao?
“harmony and peace within society”
who does this quote represent?
“the vinegar is bitter, only by not desiring the pickle can one eliminate the bitterness”
what is the message?
Buddha
(the problem in society is duhkha (dissatisfaction), the solution is to give up cravings (trsna))
what is the Buddhist meaning of Dao?
enlightenment
who does this quote represent?
“it’s all good, sure the vinegar is both sour and bitter, but this is the way nature intends it to taste”
what is the message?
Laozi
(there is no problem, because if you have internal harmony, external factors don’t matter)
- when life gives you lemons, make lemonade
what is the Daoist meaning of Dao?
harmony with nature, be natural
what are the four characteristics of the Dao?
- it existed before all creation
- associated with tranquility and peace
- origin of all things (ultimate reality)
- there is order in the universe
- the Dao is mysterious, when you put a label on it, it is no longer the Dao
what is said to make the Dao lose its essence or meaning?
putting labels on it, defining it
what do nature and the Dao have in common?
- they both exist despite challenges
- they have no goals, just in a state of being
- goes with the flow
who is the greatest teacher in Daoism?
nature
(if you want to learn the Dao, learn from nature)
what is Laozi’s analogy of the tortoise?
why?
the tortoise would prefer its tail in the mud than to be honoured at the shrine
because the mud is the tortoises natural habitat
why does Laozi’s tortoise analogy criticize Confucians?
because they believe you need to change/educate yourself if you want peace
Daoists believe in naturalness
why would tortoise shells be placed on shrines?
it is considered an honourable act
(used for fortune telling)
- place coins in the shell, ask questions, however they land is your answer
