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UNIT 4

Taoism
Prof. Stephen Hagin K Symbolic Connections in WL K 12th edition K Kennesaw State University

Founded: 500 B.C. in China

Founder: Lao Tzu
Believers: 50 million (primarily in China and throughout Asia)
Scriptures: Tao Te Ching (Book of Reason and Virtue), the writings of Chang Tsu

Major Beliefs:
1. The Tao (the Way of all things) is the Eternal, the Absolute, the moral and physical order of the
universe, the path of virtue that Heaven itself follows.
2. The Way is so massive and transcendent that we cannot describe it in words or thoughts; any Tao
that can be described is not the Eternal Tao.
3. Man aligns himself with the Eternal when he observes humility, simplicity, gentle yielding,
serenity, and effortless action. He who has realized the Tao has uncovered layers of
consciousness so that he arrives at pure consciousness and sees the inner truth of
everything. Only one who is free of desire can comprehend the Tao.
4. All actions create opposing forces (yin/yang); the wise seek inaction in action.
5. One who follows the Tao follows the natural order of all things, not seeking to improve upon
Nature or to legislate virtue to others.
6. Man is only one of the Ten Thousand Things; man is finite and will pass (only the Tao is infinite).
We should seek to detach ourselves from these Ten Thousand things to better understand the
Tao.
7. The spirit of the Tao is effulgent emptiness; the awakened man is compared to bamboo: upright,
simple, and useful outside, but hollow inside.
8. The Tao exists everywhere, the natural way of all beings and things. Tao is the beginning of
heaven and earth, and is mother of all things. It lies hidden, transmitting its perfection and
power to all things.
9.

Taoist shrines are the homes of divine beings that guide the religion, bless and protect
worshippers.

10. Three Life-Preserving Energies of Taoism:

ching essence

shen spirit

chi vital energy

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11. Four Fundamental Concepts of Taoism:

Wu wei (without doing, causing, or making) Doing something without meddlesome or
cumbersome effort. One should not go against the nature of things. Develop an inner
sensitivity to the natural rhythms of things. Dont struggle against Nature, but use a
minimum effort. Nonaction does not imply no action, but rather not acting beyond
the necessities of the Tao not exceeding the action required for the task, and not
indulging in calculated action. If we meditate we can hear the promptings of the Tao
for us to act effortlessly, efficiently, and hardly giving the matter a thought. We
should be ourselves (as Nature is itself) and not force ourselves to act or perform
outside of our realm of our essence. Like water, we should act as Nature dictates
until we find our proper place and purpose. Appetites and emotions must be kept in
check and perfected through meditation, breath control, and yoga.
Pu (the Uncarved Block) Simplicity in all states of being; the ability to enjoy the quiet
and the simple.
Tai Hsu (The Great Nothing) Thoughts (such as knowledge and cleverness) stand in the
way of clear thinking. An empty mind hears the birds, but a busy mind tries to
discern what kind of bird is singing, blinding us to the beauty ond essence of Nature.
Music is the space between the notes. The greatest ideas come from nothing. I
think, therefore I am confused.
Tzu (caring and compassion) From caring comes courage. Once compassion is
demonstrated, wisdom is shown as well. A clever mind is not a heart. Knowledge
does not care, but wisdom does.

The Five Elements (Wu Hsing)

The five elements theory has the same underlying philosophy as the yin/yang theory that of constant
change and evolution. The elements (or winds) earth, metal, fire, wood and water are best
understood as phases of a constantly moving cycle. Each grows and replaces the next in much the same
way as the seasons progress. Each of the elements can be seen as the manifestation of a particular
aspect of chi, and they also correspond to colors, tastes, seasons, directions and parts of the body, among
other things. Two cycles can be seen at work within the five elements one constructive, one
destructive so each element is strengthened or weakened by two of the other elements.

Constructive Cycle

Destructive Cycle

From METAL we get WATER

METAL is controlled by FIRE

Metal turns liquid when melted

From WATER we get WOOD

Water makes plants grow

From WOOD we get FIRE

Wood burns to create fire

From FIRE we get EARTH

Fire creates ashes, which become earth again

From EARTH we get METAL

All metals are extracted from the earth

Source:

When it is melted

FIRE is controlled by WATER

Obviously!

WATER is controlled by EARTH

Earth holds and absorbs water

EARTH is controlled by WOOD

Plants take in nutrients

WOOD is controlled by METAL

All wood can be chopped or sawed

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