Taoism & Confucianism

Charles, Helen, Kamna, Zoe

History and Origins

● Developed by Confucius, a philosopher who was born approx. 551 BCE and died 479 BCE

● Confucius’ ideas were not generally accepted during his lifetime○ He attempted to spread his political ideas regionally during his travels, but was

unsuccessful○ He eventually returned to his hometown and created his own school

● Confucianism became the official state religion of China in 2nd century BCE

● Although Confucius wrote, none of his writings were about his philosophy○ It is debated whether the teachings of Confucianism really are by Confucius

Map

What is Confucianism?

● A system of thoughts based on the teachings of Confucius○ Is non-theistic○ Is humanistic

● Followers of Confucianism recognize that humans are inclined to do good, but suffering and evil are also inherent○ They believe that humans should be good to one

another not for reward, but because it betters humankind

What is Confucianism?

● Rather than seeking admittance into an afterlife, one should strive to be righteous for the sake of their present life

● Virtuous behaviour in all social matters (family, community…) is of greatest importance

● Virtues are outlined by the Five constants:○ Ren-Humaneness○ Yi- Righteousness or Justice○ Li- Propriety or etiquette○ Zhi- Knowledge○ Xin - Integrity

●

Symbols

● Water○ There is no standard symbol for Confucianism, but the

character for water is often used○ Water represents the source of life

● Total harmony○ Refers to one’s own life and their relationships with

others○ Is made up of 2 ‘happiness’ characters

● Yin-Yang○ Represents the two different natures of humanity - the

will to do good and the inherent suffering and evil of the world

Sacred Writing

The Five Classics (Wu Jing) ● collection of stories and precepts

about social, political and historic philosophy of Confucianism

● It is believed that Zhou dynasty, that represented Confucian ideas of an ideal ruler may have written some parts

● did not reveal the word of God, but rather it contained wisdom that could serve people of all times

Sacred Writing

The Shijing● Collection of more than 300 poems and songs● Poems were selected and written by Confucius &

his disciples ● Poems included praise of founders such as the Zhou

dynasty, hymns used in sacrificial rites and common experiences such as war, love and work

Rituals and Ceremonies4 main rites of passage:birth, maturity, marriage and death

● Marriage○ Children had no say in the choice of a

husband or wife■ Marriage was a union of families, although it

is different today○ Bride’s family is expected to give a

dowry to the family of the groom■ Groom would gift a goose to the bride’s

family on the day of the wedding○ Bride and Groom marry by exchanging

cups of wine■ Also pay respect to the emperor, gods,

ancestors

Confucianism: Cultural Impact

-Much like Taoism, Confucianism was persecuted under Communist Mae Zedong

-Similarly, it was restored after his ruling due to foreign interests

-In the past millenium, Confucianism became influential in Korea and Japan-6000000 followers worldwide with 26000 in North America

What is Taoism?

● An animistic Eastern religion/philosophy which began in the Golden Age of Philosophy

● Taoism emphasizes the need to live in harmony with Tao○ Each person must find their own Tao and experience it

● Taoism promotes:○ Achieving harmony and union with nature○ The pursuit of spiritual immortality○ Seeking the Three Treasures: compassion, moderation &

humility○ Self-development, self-awareness & self-discipline

What is Tao?

● translates to “the way” or “path”● An unseen, but great universal force● The first cause of the universe

○ Connects and flows through all life

● Cannot be truly defined, but can be known or experienced

Tao

● The Three Divine Teachers○ Also known as the Three Clarities○ The pure manifestation of Tao○ Origin of all beings

Death and Afterlife

● Taoists do not believe in heaven or reincarnation○ Taoism focuses on life in this world○ Taoists pursue spiritual immortality

There are many stories about Taoist sages who became immortal. In the stories, the sages were buried after death, but when their coffins were later opened, their bodies would not be there. In their place was usually a bamboo cane or a

sword.

Where?

● Mainly practiced in some parts of China, Korea and Vietnam ○ Over 20 million

followers, with about 30 thousand in North America

History & Origins● Taoism began approx. 500 - 400 BCE● Roots trace back to Huang Di (“Yellow Emperor”)

○ believed to have learned about Tao from a hermit ○ known for being a compassionate & generous leader

● The founder of Taoism is believed to be Lao-Tzu○ Lao-Tzu has been known to have contributed to the

majority of sacred texts such as the Tao Te Ching○ Unknown if Lao-Tzu existed (some believe he is a

combination of figures, while others do not think he existed at all)

Sacred Writing

Tao Te Ching● Written by Lao-Tzu in the 6th century BCE● Collection of 81 poems● Describes what Tao is and how to find “The

Way”● It is intended for the ideal ruler, a sage, who

rules by passivity and gentleness

Sacred Writings

Quotes from Tao Te Ching

“The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.”

“To the mind that is still, the whole Universe surrenders.”

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”

Sacred Writing

Chuang-tzu/ Zhuangzi● Written by multiple people, but the main contributor is believed to be Chuang

Tzu● Focuses on Lao Tzu’s teachings who was Chuang Tzu’s teachers● Collection of works that present a philosophy of life ordinary people could

better understand● Consists of fables, parables and anecdotes that teach lessons about life and

the Tao● Chuang Tzu rejected political and social concerns● Criticizes Confucianism and discusses the interaction between Lao Tzu and

Confucius

Sacred Writings

Quotes From Chuang-Tzu:“Those who seek to satisfy the mind of man by hampering

it with ceremonies and music and affecting charity and devotion have lost their original nature.”

“Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centred by accepting whatever you are doing.

This is the ultimate.”

Symbols

● Yin-Yang○ Central symbol in Taoism○ Circle represents Tao, which

unifies the polarities of nature○ Black and white represents balance

and harmony■ (existence of pairs in nature: dark and light, night and day,

winter and summer, rain and sun, death and birth)

○ Curve represents movement■ Change is inevitable

Symbols

● Yin-Yang○ ‘Yang’ is the heavenly force

■ Force of movement, light, fire, warmth and life■ Literally means “the sunny side”■ In Chinese, ‘Sun’ translates to “great Yang”

○ ‘Yin’ is the opposite of ‘Yang’■ Means “shade” or “the shady side”

○ The 2 cannot be separated from one another, although opposite

■ Operate in cycles together as part of nature and Tao■ Are complementary

Symbol/Philosophy

● Wu Wei○ Translates to “non-doing”

■ Can be loosely translated to “effortless action”

○ Is ‘letting nature take its course’

○ Those who are in harmony with Tao behave naturally

Symbols and Philosophies

Rituals

● The Jiao (offering)

○ Ceremony organized by local community

○ Often includes festival○ Families give offerings to deities

■ To renew blessings, give thanks or seek order for the Universe

○ Typically headed by Taoist priest

Rituals

● Funerals○ Preparation○ Taoists believe spirit separates from body until body is buried

■ Traditionally, the bodies are buried in rectangular coffins

○ The individual is cleaned and dressed in their best clothing■ Their face is covered in a yellow cloth and the body, a blue cloth

Rituals

● Funerals○ During○ The deceased’s favourite food and belongings are placed in

the coffin○ Charms and prayers written on slips of paper are placed in

coffin, but later removed to be burnt as offerings■ Taoists believe the images of items that are burnt will reappear as the item in the

spirit world

○ During the procession, priests walk in front of the coffin while shaking bells, playing instruments and reciting spells

■ These actions will guide the spirit to rest

Rituals

● Funerals○ After○ A feast is held by the family for all attendees○ Guests are sometimes sprinkled with water and are

expected to burn the clothes worn to the funeral■ A cleansing ritual

○ Relatives are expected to continue mourning for 49 days

Rituals

● QingMing Festival○ A Taoist holiday

■ Celebrated in several parts of Asia

○ Known as “Tomb Sweeping Day”

■ Graves of deceased ancestors are tended to■ Offerings such as wine and food are given

○ Occurs in early spring to celebrate rebirth of the natural world

Influence

● Taoism has a global impact○ Through practices, rituals and values, it has been incorporated into other cultures

● Taoist philosopher Liu An encouraged scholar Huainian Masters to discover a potion for immortality○ While they failed to discover the elixir, the Taoists found a way to

improve physical health through balance and harmony within the body

■ Lead to the creation of Tai Chi, acupuncture and Feng Shui, which are common practices around the world

Influential Taoistic Practices

TaiChiA physical activity to bring a persons body into harmony through a series of movements

● Tai chi harmonizes the flow of energy (chi)● In the last twenty years or so, t'ai chi classes have become

popular in hospitals, clinics, as well as community and senior centres

● The reputation as a low-stress exercise for seniors has become better known

● The Taoist Tai Chi Society of Canada (located in Toronto) shows how it has been incorporated into Canadian culture

● The second photo shows how Tai Chi is not secular to oriental peoples

Influential Taoistic Practices

Acupuncture● Taoists seek to bring a balance to the flow of energy within a person

○ Balance is disrupted when there is a blockage in the flow of chi● Acupuncture targets pressure points within the body to maintain flow of

qi● The Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada and the

Canadian Academy of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine were introduced to certify practitioners in Canada for these medicines

According to the TAS’ website, they “treat men & women, grandparents & children, people from all religious backgrounds & ethnicities, with varied gender identities & relationships, of all body shapes & sizes.”

● Research data suggests 5-25% of Americans, regardless of ethnicity, will at some time try acupuncture○ It is a popular form of alternative medicine

Influential Taoistic Practices

Feng Shui● A system arrangement and

orientation in relation to the flow of energy (qi)

● Taoism heavily impacts modern day architecture○ Favorable or unfavorable effects are taken into

account when designing structures

Cultural Issues: Qing Dynasty

● Under Rulership of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), interest in Taoism began to fail

● Protestant missionaries had been spreading a message that Taoism was a superstitious and degenerate religion

● Many Taoist temples were destroyed during the Taiping rebellion (1851-64) or were turned into schools, hospitals, military barracks, or government offices

● Festivals and acts of worship were forbidden

Cultural Issues: Communism

● Early in the 20th century, 2,000 years of imperial rule came to an end○ China experienced decades of civil war, becoming first a republic then a communist

nation

● Under Mao Zedong’s Communist rulership, both Buddhism and Taoism were harshly suppressed ○ Temples and art were destroyed○ Taoism was regarded as “a deviant

superstition that was harmful to the people”

Restoration of Taoism

● In 1956 the Chinese Taoist association was set up to administer Taoist practices○ Taoism was banned during the Cultural Revolution ○ Its image was tarnished under communist ruling

● CTA gradually fixed that and interest from tourists and scholars in traditional religion grew○ In response to this interest, the government rebuilt

and restored Taoist temples and monasteries

● The new temples and monasteries trained new students and allowed people to follow Tao

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