Daoism (Taoism)

• Mangalus Daoism, also known as Taoism, is a Daoic religion with specific learning objectives that can be applied to one's life.
• The virtues of Daoism include imbibing the Daoist ideals, appreciating the elements of Daoism, and identifying them.
• A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step is a Daoist proverb.
• Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage is a Daoist proverb.
• Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished is a Daoist proverb.
• A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving is a Daoist proverb.
• When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be is a Daoist proverb.
• He who knows, does not speak; he who speaks, does not know is a Daoist proverb.
• He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty is a Daoist proverb.
• Daoism functioned as a philosophy of abandonment and withdrawal from the rampant warfare and social unrest which characterized the reign of the Zhou dynasty, a period of constant struggle for power, wealth, and prestige.
• Daoism served as a protest of common people against the rising despotism of rulers and as a reaction to the growing firmness of the moralists, who were followers of Confucius.
• In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang describe how opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world.
• The black and white teardrop-shaped halves in the Yin & Yang symbol signify the Yin-qi and Yang-qi, known as the primordial feminine and masculine energies.
• Lao-tzu agreeably wrote two chapters about the Dao (Way) and De (individual power), which came to be named Dao De Jing or Laozi.
• Zhuangzi, the second founder of Daoism (Chuang-tzu), is believed to have lived from 369 to around 286 B.C.E.
• The ultimate goal of Daoism is to conform to the great pattern of nature, which is called Dao, or “The Way”.
• Lao-tzu left Chu and was detained at Han-ku Pass by a gatekeeper named Yin Hsi, who requested him to write a book for him before leaving.
• The most well-known Daoist religious symbol is the Yin & Yang, which signifies the perfect harmonic balance in the universe, such as day and night; birth and death.
• The big circle in the Yin & Yang symbol signifies the Dao, the source of existence.
• Lao-tzu worked as a government archivist but became frustrated with government corruption.
• Lao-tzu was said to be born with flowing hair, which signified that he would become a wise man.
• Lao-tzu, meaning “Old Master,” is believed to have authored the Dao De Jing, which dates back around the Third Century B.C.E.
• According to myth, Lao-tzu was conceived by a shooting star and was born of a virgin mother, who kept him in her womb for 82 years.
• As a religion, Daoism aims to achieve long life and, ultimately, immortality.
• Laozi professed a distaste for culture and civilization for they are products of human activity and proof of humanity’s tampering with nature.
• All things come from the Dao and are nourished by it, which is why sometimes the Dao is referred to as “Mother”.
• Dao De Jing is a sacred scripture often attributed to Laozi, but some believe it was a product of the collective efforts among various groups in China.
• Daoism has often been criticized for propagating laziness or espousing a fatalistic attitude in life by letting nature take its course and reminding Daoists to just go with the flow.
• Qi in Daoist belief refers to the natural energy or life force that sustains living beings, literally meaning “air” or “vapor”.
• Dao De Jing is a collection of sayings and proverbs, lines from popular songs, and clever maxims coming from various contributors with various concerns.
• Moral Practices in Daoism include disapproval of killing, stealing, lying, and promiscuity, and promote philanthropic, selfless, and humane behavior.
• Wu Wei in Daoist belief means “no behavior” or “doing nothing,” advocating a “go with the flow” attitude by cultivating a state of being wherein our actions are in harmony with the natural cycles of the universe.
• Ritual or liturgical expressions are important to the Daoist religion.
• Meditative Practices are important to the Daoist religion.
• De in Daoist belief means virtue or the proper adherence to Dao, encouraging inaction in nature and advocating the quiet and passive nature of a person.
• Daoists traditionally worship Laozi as the representation of the Dao.
• The Dao itself is not God and is not worshipped by Daoists.
• Daoism does not have a God, as Daoists believe that the universe originated from the Dao, which created and controls the universe and distantly guides things on their way.
• Zhuangzi is a great philosopher and writer, and his book, along with his followers, is known as Zhuangzi.
• The Dao, in Daoist belief, existed before the world and is the foundation of all beings, the way in which nature and the universe exist.