1.
Human Person and
Taoism
“A bowl is most useful when it
is empty.” (Laozi)

2.
Activity-11/10/2022
How do you interpret
the image/picture?
How do you relate your
interpretation to your
own life?

3.
The History and Importance of Taoism
Taoism was founded by a
philosopher named Laozi
(LAO-dzuh) who lived in China
some time around 400 BC, right
around the same time
that Aristotle and Plato were
laying the foundations for Western
philosophy.

4.
Laozi’s ideas were written down in
the Tao Te Ching, which means
something like
“The Way of the Virtues.”
This ancient text deals with a wide
range of philosophical and moral
issues, but one of its central
themes is humility and the limits
of knowledge.

5.
Taoism became the official religion of China for
over a thousand years, ending in 1911.

6.
Finite Mind and Humility
Taoists recognize that the human
mind is finite, and there are many
aspects of reality that we can never
understand.
Knowing this, we should always seek
knowledge with humility and with an
awareness that some amount of
error is inevitable.

7.
The Core Concepts

8.
The natural order is an
unknowable force called the Tao.
Taoists view the Tao as
the connection that
makes all life and
movement in nature
possible.

9.
The dao ( o r tao)
The “Way
The “Path”
The source oflife
The energy of the universe
The ultimate goal
=
Tolive in harmony
with the Tao

10.
Taoists believe earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes are the
results of disturbances of yin and yang, but they believe, in
time, the Tao will reassert itself and order will return.

11.
Unhappiness in life comes from people acting
against the Tao by disrupting the natural order of
life.

12.
The Tao is composed of two opposite energies called yin
and yang. Taoists believe everything in existence has the
characteristics of both the yin and the yang.

13.
TAIJI/ YIN-YANG
Yang
Yin
Day
Light
Function
Hot
Sun
Dryness
Birth
Expressive
Male
Night
Dark
Structure
Cold
Moon
Fluid
Death
Calm
Female

14.
The yin is cold, dark, and mysterious;
it is associated with the earth and is
female.
The yang is warm, bright and
positive; it is associated with the
heavens and is male.
The interaction of yin and yang are
revealed in changes. These changes
include the seasons along with the
flowering of living things and their
eventual decay.

15.
TAIJI/ YIN-YANG
Duality
forming as
a whole
The nature
of change
balances to
halves

16.
•Taoists believe that
humankind, nature, and
heaven are all
interconnected, and that
harmony exists when
everything acts according
to its own nature.
•Living in harmony with
one’s own nature is known
in Taoism as wu wei.

17.
WU-WEI
NON-DOING
ACTION WITHOUTACTION
Let the nature runs its course

18.
•A person who practices wu wei avoids aggression and
bends to accommodate life’s problems rather than
break under their weight. A Taoist strives to live in
harmony with the natural order.

19.
WU-WEI
Tiger going to eat horse
Kill thetiger
Kill thecubs
Let the horse die
Feeling guilty
Do nothing
Do not interfere with nature
×
×


20.
T
AOISM
is achieved through
Wu-Wei (non-action)
The source
of existence
The root
of allbeings,
seen &unseen
Dao (TheWay)
Meditation
and reflection
in solitude
Living inpeace,
simplicity and
tranquility
Acting
thoughtfully, not
impulsively
Acting in harmony
with nature

21.
Taoism views man and
nature together. Man lives
in the matrix of nature.
If the environment is good,
man will be good, and the
opposite is true.

22.
The Purpose of Man
For Taoists, the ultimate
goal of human life is to
understand this reality
and learn to live in
harmony with it.

23.
Taoists believe that the
path to wisdom and
happiness involves
emptying the mind and
settling into a deep
stillness.

24.
Lao Tzu thought (as later did Socrates) that the wisest are
still very ignorant. What is needed is not interference
with the world but humble understanding of the way it
functions, the Tao.
Forcing change is self-injurious. Follow the Tao instead,
the natural order of things. The Tao gives rise to yang
(expansive forces) and yin (contractive forces) and is the
means by which things come to be, take shape, and reach
fulfillment. The Tao cannot be improved.

25.
Concept
Application:
Directions:
I. Cite atleast five political,
economic, or social issues that
can be resolved by the teachings
and principles of Taoism.
II. Provide a picture/image of each
problem
III. Explain why the particular
concept of Taoism is capable of
solving the issue.

26.
Concept
Application:
Directions:
I. If you will apply the
teaching of Daoism in
your life, what will be
the result?

27.
Roughly stated, Tao deals with the flow of the
universe, or the force behind natural order that
keeps all things balanced and in order. It is
considered to be a source of existence and "non-
existence." Some Eastern religions refer to this as
the "yin and yang" of the universe, which can also
express itself as the equal forces of "good" and
"evil."
Taoism

28.
The dao ( o r tao)
Is not a God, a Creator
or aBeing
The Three PureOnes
The JadeEmperor

29.
The dE( o r tE)
Virtue, innerpower,
integrity
The power ofTao
The manifestation ofTao
through human experience
Live true to one’s
essence and
influence your
kindness on others

30.
The dE( o r tE)
Compassion or Kindness
ThreeTreasures
Simplicity orFrugality
Humility or Modesty
•love others like loving oneself
•live in simplicity, stay away from material
or physical desires
•not expressingassertive authority