Daoism: The Way

Global History: Spiconardi

Dao De Jing• Directions: Read the excerpts from

the Dao De Jing. With a partner(s) analyze the excerpts and create a list of Daoist beliefs.

Dao De Jing

• _____________________________________• _____________________________________• _____________________________________• _____________________________________• _____________________________________• _____________________________________• _____________________________________

Lao Tze• Lao Tze (Lao Zi, Lao Tzu)– Traditionally considered

the founder of Daoism– His actual existence is

questionable (6th century BCE)

– Traditionally credited as the author of the Dao De Jing

– His philosophy is a rejection of Confucianism

Daoist Beliefs• One must follow the “way”

or Dao• Live a simple life; become

one with nature• Government and law are

oppressive; they limit our freedom and responses– We are confined by authority

• Natural order is more important than social order

• One must be able to adapt to any circumstance

Yin and Yang• Yin Yang two opposite/polar forces that

interact to bring balance to the natural world

• The forces are opposite and equal– Example: Men and Women. They are opposite,

but need the other to reproduce, which brings balance to the universe

Yin &YangYin

• Dark• Female• Mysterious• Cold• Soft• Earth

Yang• Light• Male• Clear• Warm• Hard• Heaven

Wu Wei• Wu Wei non-action; do

not interfere with the natural path of things

• “Action without action”• “Effortless doing”

It’s like an athlete who is in the zone. They are locked into their task without thinking about it.

Often the Wu Wei is seen as laziness, but it is actually the most efficient action possible.

The Dao of Star WarsDAOISM

• The Dao or “the way”• Yin • Yang

• The Force• Sith & Darth Vader

• Jedi & Luke Skywalker

The Dao of Star WarsDAOISM

• Wu Wei

• Lao Tze

• Moving objects without effort

• Yoda

Homework • Create your own yin yang. Depict the

characteristics that are yin and those that are yang. Use your notes to find the correct attributes. Look at the example below: