TaoismI. Taoism a. Indigenous to southern China i. Practiced in China, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, Vietnamb. Roughly 30 million practitionersc. “Tao” means “way”d. Often contrasted with Confucianism i. Roughly contemporarye. Like Confucianism, Taoism has both philosophical and religious varieties i. Daojia – (philosophical Taoism)ii. Daojiao – ( religious Taoism; Later)II. Philosophical Taoism (Daojia)a. Sima Tan (165-110 BCE) coined the term b. Reflection on the cosmological and ethical ideas expressed by Laozi and Zhuangzi c. Laozi (Lao Tzu) – 600 BCEi. Daodejing (Tao Te Ching)1. AKA The LaoziIII. Taoism vs. Confucianism a. Confucianismi. Heaven’s mandate will be restored by observing the ways of old: Five relations/rituals/virtuous actionsii. “Tao” means “the moral way of Heaven”iii. Moral knowledge is gained through classical educationiv. The superior man observes all social norms: social status/ritual/moral v. The goal of the supreme man is public administrationvi. Great faith in the ability of the learned elite to reform societyb. Taoism (philosophical)i. Heaven’s mandate will be restored by living in harmony with the Taoii. “Tao” means originary, impersonal force that penetrates all thingsiii. Knowledge is gained through “attaining complete emptiness”iv. The superior man removes from his mind all that is contrary tothe Taov. He is shamed by public administration. His goal is wuwei. vi. Great faith in the ability of common people to govern themselves. IV. Religious Taoism (Daojiao)a. Associated with deities and ritual b. 3 high gods i. The create One – supreme deity (emanation of Tao)ii. The heavenly One – his disciple (Tao personified)iii. The Earthly One – T.H.O.’s disciple (Laozi deified)c. Later referred to as “The Three Pure Ones”d. Hope for messiah-like figure i. Taiping jing (“Classic of the Great Peace”)ii. Will pass on teachings to a prophet, then prophet to ruler, whowill usher in virtuous rulee. Not influenced by Christianity V. Ultimate Goala. Human weakness and sickness are caused by sin i. Healed through confession and help form higher powers b. Ultimate goal is to survive in body and spirit i. Emphasis on alchemy to attain immortality 1. Tsoa ChUn – the first Taoist god, 3rd c. CEc. Developed scientific knowledge with experimentation d. Shift towards “inner alchemy” – healed & preserved through unity of the spiritual and physical VI. Sectarianism a. More about practice than doctrineb. 2 Main sects today – Perfect Truth and the Heavenly Mastersc. Perfect Truthi. More popular in the North ii. Founded in 12th c. by Wang Zheiii. Major form of Taoist monasticism d. Heavenly Mastersi. 142 BCE man claimed Laozi had appeared to him – he took the name “Heavenly Master”ii. Said people were lacking truth and worshipping demons 1. He was to restore orthodoxy 2. Rejected blood sacrifice iii. Hope that Laozi will return to establish peace & equality iv. Some priests are spirit-mediums and diviners v. Continues today, especially in the Southern
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