TAOISM

AN EASTERN APPROACH TO POSITIVE

PSYCHOLOGY
What is Taoism?

• one of the three great religions of China.

• an ancient Chinese tradition of philosophy and religious belief.
• The ‘Tao’ means 'the way'.
• population of Taoist is estimated from 30 million to 300 million in China.
• It is the philosophy /religion responsible for
Acupuncture – a form of alternative medicine and a key component of
traditional Chinese medicine.
Feng shui – ancient art and science developed over 3000 years ago in
china.feng means wind and shui means water.
yin and yang symbol – Taoist symbol signifies the way or the code of
behavior.
Zen – school of Buddhism that orginated in china which is now known as chan
Tai Chi – an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense
training.its health benefits and meditation.
• Its fundamental doctrine is Tao which is diametrically opposed to Confucian
Tao.
• It was not an organized religion.
• emphasis on the ideal of indifference and irresponsibility appears to be
negative approach to human life.
• It’s teachings are very powerful and have lasting effect.
• Its influence can also be seen in the very fashionable Chinese herbal medicine
and the practice of meditation.
How it Originated?
• The origin of Taoism is unknown.
• Scholars in recent times express their doubt about whether Taoism is
only a philosophy or a religion.
• Taoism was not an organized, institutionalized religion in the earlier
days.
• It was not considered as religion at all until the Han dynasty in
China.
• The early teachings are usually ascribed to Lao Tzu who, in the fifth
century wrote the influential Taoist text “the Dao De Jing” (The Way
and its Power).
• He was the first among the teachers to teach the principle of
universal good.
• The main source of information about his teaching, is the short
sketch of 248 Chinese words written by “Ssu-ma Chien”(a Chinese
historian) about 500 years later.
• Lao-Tze was born in the province of Honan – central China about fifty years
before Confucianism.
• According to the older chronology of China, Lao-Tze was an older
contemporary of Confucius and therefore Taoism is older than Confucianism.

• Taoism encouraged the virtue of Wu Wei (non-action), or going with the flow.
Power of emptiness – ability to remain void
Detachment - being objective
Receptiveness - open to changes / willing to receive suggestions
Spontaneity - Naturalness
Strength of softness
Knowledge of human values
Search for a long life
are other Taoist themes.
• The proficient Taoist was at that time concerned with achieving
immortality.
• This led to the development of alchemy and the methods of meditation.
• Taoism provided an alternative to the Confucian tradition in China and the
two traditions have coexisted easily sometimes within the same individual.
• As the centuries past Taoism did find itself in direct competition with
Buddhism.
• In order to survive Taoism incorporated Buddhist practices and ancient
Chinese folklore to create a religious dimension to go with the
philosophical precepts of the early teachers.
• The original, more philosophical Taoism has inspired Chinese painters and
poets through the ages.
Sacred scriptures
• Tao-Teh-Ching was personally written by Lao-Tze.
• it is the shortest Scripture because it contains only five thousand and odd
words.
• There are several translations of the title Tao-Teh-Ching. Usually it is left as
it is in The translations are: The Classic of Tao and of Virtue, The Book of the
Path of Virtue. There is no exact translation of tao- the-ching.
• The original name consists of three Chinese nouns. The word “Tao” is the
most difficult to translate. It can mean “the Way” or “the Path”. The word
“The”means “Virtue” and “Ching” (King) can mean book, classic or canon.
• The content of Tao-Teh-Ching is a series of unsystematically arranged
generalizations and counseling spread out in 81 brief chapters.
Taoist concepts, beliefs and practices
• Tao is the absolute principle underlying the universe.
• it combines within itself the principles of yin and yang.
• it signifies the way or the code of behaviour.
• the meaning of yin and yang is that the universe is governed by a cosmic
duality, set of two opposing and complementing principles or cosmic energies
that can be observed in nature.
• The yin and yang concept of opposites refers that for Any action has some
negative (yin) and some positive (yang) aspect to it. Thus when one labels
something as good, one automatically creates evil.
Yin yang symbol
• The yin yang symbol which is also known as the tai chi symbol.
• consist of a circle divided into two halves by a curved line.
• one half of the circle is black, typically representing the yin side.
• The other is white, for a yang side.
• The white dot in the black area and the black dot in the white area
connote the coexistence and unity of the opposite to form the whole.
• The curvy line signifies that there are no absolute separations between
the two opposites.
• The yin yang symbol embodies both sides of : duality, paradox, unity in
diversity, change and harmony.
• Taoists are concerned the Supreme Being or ultimate truth is beyond words
or conceptual understanding. This is similar to other religions ideas about God,
however Taoists seldom refer to or use the word God.
• Traditional Taoism did not believe in the existence of a Creator. It was non-
theistic.
• Taoists do not recognize the theme of good against evil; rather they see the
interdependence of all dualities.
• Taoists also do not accept the duality of salvation and damnation. There is no
concept of heaven or hell; the ultimate goal is to return to the Tao - the
universal life force. Living simply in harmony with Tao, and not excessively
pursuing material wealth, stature, or prestige, will lead to a joyful life.
• Taoists believe there are Three Jewels all Taoists should live by
compassion
moderation
Humility
• The religious aspect of Taoism is polytheistic.
• Taoists solve problems through meditation and observation.
• The heart of Taoist ritual is the concept of bringing order and harmony to
the cosmos as a whole.
• The power of the Way is referred to as Te.Tao, they say, flows through all
life and a believer strives to harmonies with this force.
• Taoist rituals involve
purification,
meditation
offerings to the many deities.
• The details of rituals are often highly complex and technical, therefore
normally left to priests, with the congregation playing little part.
• The rituals involve the priests chanting, dancing and playing instruments
(particularly wind and percussion).
• Taoism also involves several physical practices; breathing exercises,
massages, martial arts, yoga and meditation that are designed to transform a
person both mentally and physically and bring them into harmony with the
Tao.
REFERENCE
Mark, E. (2016, February 22). Taoism. Retrievedfrom
https;//www-ancient.eu.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.ancient.eu/amp/1-
14406/?amp_js_v=a2&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCKAE%3D#aoh=15770218157

Snyder,C.R,&J.Lopez,Shane(2007).Taoism. In cheri
Dellelo&Karen Ehrmann&Laureen A.Shea (Eds.), Positive Psychology the Scientific and
Practical Exploration of Human Strengths (pp.39-40). London:Sage Publication, Inc.