confucianism, taoism and shintoism

• Taoism is a religious tradition that began in China about 2,500 years ago-at about the same time Confucius lived.
• Taoism is practiced today in China, Taiwan, Hong King, Singapore, Japan, and Thailand, but there are Taoists throughout the world.
• Taoists believe that humankind, nature, and heaven are all interconnected, and that harmony exists when everything acts according to its own nature.
• A person who practices wu wei avoids aggression and bends to accommodate life's problems rather than break under their weight.
• Living in harmony with one's own nature is known in Taoism as wu wei.
• The natural order is an unknowable force called the Tao.
• Tao can be translated as "the way."
• They believe that when a person lives out their life on earth, the Tao returns them to heaven.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• Unhappiness in life comes from people acting against the Tao by disrupting the natural order of life.
• Taoism developed during the Age of Warring States.
• Legends say the founder of Taoism is Lao Tzu, though it is possible he never existed.
• Lao Tzu was unhappy with moral decay of his time, so he withdrew to his home to think about the meaning of life.
• Lao Tzu's meditation made him a very wise man.
• Once, while traveling, a gatekeeper recognized Lao Tzu and asked him to write down his wisdom.
• According to legend, Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching, then rode through the gate, never to be seen again.
• The Tao Te Ching means "the Way of Life."
• It places nature above culture, and a solitary individual above society. According to the Tao Te Ching, inaction is better than action.
• By not allowing events to unfold according to their nature, a person has challenged the Tao.
• Many Taoists compare the Tao to water. When it is restricted, water seeks the weakest spot of any obstruction and applies constant force until it is free.
• Taoist philosophy emphasizes living in harmony with the natural world and following its rhythms. This can be seen as an early form of ecology.
• The Tao Te Ching says, "there is nothing stronger and weaker than water, any yet there is nothing better for attacking hard and strong things."
• Taoism is a spiritual philosophy that focuses on a person's outlook on life and the world around them.
• Taoism is a spiritual philosophy that focuses on a person's outlook on life and the world around them.
• A Taoist strives to live in harmony with the natural order.
• Taoists view the Tao as the connection that makes all life and movement in nature possible.
• The Tao Te Ching recommends bending to accommodate rather than breaking under the stresses of life.
• tao te ching discourages learning or ambition, instead stressing that we should live according to our nature
• Wu wei

  Living in harmony with one's own nature
• Taoism

  Ancient chinese philosophy and religion
• Taoism instructs believers on how to exist in harmony with the universe
• Taoism taught that humans and animals should live in balance with the tao/universe
• Taoism believes in spiritual immorality (where the spirit of the body joins the universe after death)
• Tao

  The way of universe
• Chi / qi


  The energy present in and guiding everything in the universe