INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS Quarter 2 WEEK 11

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Analyze the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and related issues of Taoism

What I need to know:

Understanding religion in the East means immersing one’s self into their native culture. In that respect, I ask you to keep
your mind open and not judge the ideas and concepts, practices and cultural beliefs of the next three religions we will be
discussing. However, for the sake of introduction to their culture and over all belief, let me tell you the story of the
“Vinergar Tasters” The vinegar tasters is a painting that represents the main schools of thought within China. It presents
three people, the masters Buddha, Confucius and Lao Tzu. They surround a large vat of vinegar, each dip their finger in
it and then taste it. Surprisingly, despite being the same vinegar they give different statements on how it tastes. The
Buddha describes the vinegar’s taste to be bitter, this somewhat portrays the idea that life is full of suffering, thus the
bitter taste. Confucius , the founder of Confucianism, tastes that the vinegar and declares that it is sour. Expressing the
belief of accepting the non trivial nature of life and pursuing the practicality of morality as spiritual fulfillment. Meanwhile
Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism, dips his finger into the vinegar, tastes it and says with a smile, “It is sweet” expressing
balance, the inter-connected-ness and interdependence of all within nature.

Learning objectives:
The learner demonstrates understanding of the elements of Taoism

What I know: Identification

_______1. He is the founder of Taoism

_______2. It means virtue in accordance with the Tao
_______3. It the book gifted by the Old Master to Yin Hsi, the gate keeper.
_______4. An government official from the town of Meng who declined the position of Chief Minister.
_______5.It is a scripture that means the way, virtue and change.
_______6. It is a metaphor that describes the simplicity, naturalness and spontaneity.
_______7. It represents the flow of nature which is complementary, interconnected, and interdependently seeking balance with
each other.
_______8. “The way that can be told is not the eternal way, the name that can be named is not the eternal name.”
_______9. The book written by Master Chuang.
_______10. The vital life force of the universe.
_______11. A collection of 1500 texts housed in different Taoist Monasteries
_______12. A ritual performed in case of sickness or to drive our evil spirits
_______13. Includes experiments with one’s self, especially the body through the use of methods of inner alchemy, associated
with yoga.
_______14. The rite of cosmic renewal that is celebrated to rededicate the local temple and to renew the whole community by
cleansing it from suffering and hardships.
_______15. A ritual meant for purification and renewal in the life-cycle and development of the human person

The Tao (Dao)

Taoists believe that everything comes from the Tao (The Way). Human nature is to be aligned with the rest of nature to
achieve harmony and balance. Self-cultivation should be encouraged for people to return to the natural mode of existence. Living
in harmony with nature is the way of living with the Tao, which will lead to good health and long life (even immortality for some)
because there is a balance of yin and yang, therefore the qi flows freely. The Tao is the essential concept and creative principle
that existed before the world. It is undetectable, indistinct, shapeless, and indefinable, it is the foundation of all being, and the way
in which nature and the universe exist. All things come from it, and are nourished by it, that is why sometimes the Tao is called
“Mother.” It is the origin of heaven and earth and it is also the way in which heaven and earth now live. Its meaning differ across
religions and philosophies: for Confucians, it refers to the basic principles of moral philosophy while for the Legalists, it is the way
of power (Brown 1987). The Tao is distinct from God. It is not a being for it is the origin of all beings, and its great virtue is that it
does everything but desires nothing. It is “emptiness”, which does not compete with other forces but is content with itself. This
contentment, when practiced by people, will enable them to lead good lives (Ching 1993).
There are two key figures in Taoism, Lao zi or Lao Dan (Old Master) and Chuang Tzu or Zhuangzi (Master Zhuang).
Master Lao was a government archivist who got frustrated with the corruption of the Governemnt. He decided to leave the Chu
prefecture but was detained in Hanku Pass byt the gate keeper Yin Hsi unless the master writes a book for him. Old Master Lao
agreed and wrote The Tao Te Jing (The Way - Virtue(Power) - Change). He then traveled Westward while riding an ox, never to
be seen again. On a more mythological account, the Old Master Lao was said to have been conceived from a shooting star and
born of a virgin mother who kept him in her womb for 82 years. Upon birth, it was noted that he had flowing hair that signified he
would be a wise man. It is also believed that in some occasions he met with Master Kong to give him advise as his senior
contemporary.
On the other hand, Master Chuang, was born in the town of Meng in a small state of Sung, near the border between
present-day Hunan and Shandong Province. He served as an officer-in-charge of a royal garden during the middle of the Warring
States period and was said to be invited by King Wei of Chu to become his chief minister, which he declined. He said: ”A
Thousand measures of gold is substantial profit and prime ministership is an exalted position indeed. But haven’t you
heard of the ox offered in official sacrifice? He is generously fed for years and dressed in the finest embroidered fabrics,
so that he may oned day be lead to the great temple for slaughter. When that day comes, though he may wish that he
were just a little orphaned piglet instead, it is too late! So scram, you! Do not defile me! I’d rather enjoy myself wallowing
in the filth rather than let myself be controlled by some head of state.” Chuangzi is considered a great philosopher and a
great writer, and he wrote a book, together with his followers, which became known as Zhuangzi, and was believed to be
completed before the Han dynasty.
Taoist Concepts and Beliefs
Tao  The Way , the natural attitude of nature. Not God but the source of everything, the Tao existed even before
everything began
 The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. Tha name that can be named is not the eternal name.
(as translated from the Tao Te Jing)
Li  Organic order, the random yet perfect pattern despite the seeming chaos
 The workings of Tao can be observed through the Li
Te  Virtue in accordance with the Tao
 encourages inaction in nature and advocates the quiet and passive nature of a person so that the Tao may
act through them without interference.
Wu Wei  Non doing -Wei wu wei - the act of or to do non- doing, action through inaction
 a concept used to negate or limit human action. It refers to the cancellation or restriction of human
behavior, especially human activities.
 refers to certain stages such as nonbehavior or doing nothing; taking as little action as possible; taking
action spontaneously; taking a passive attitude toward society; waiting for the spontaneous transformation
of things; and taking action according to objective conditions and the nature of things, or acting naturally.
 advocates 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.
 P’u - the uncarved block/wood - simple, natural, spontaneous is a Taoist metaphor to describe the concept
of wu-wei (humans have been carved by tradition, language, knowledge and concepts etc.. we have
become products sculpted by our environment)
Three  Qi as the vital energy or life force, easily depleted by daily activities but can be replenished through sleep,
Treasures nourishment and proper breathing
 Shen as Spiritual energy, affected by the abundance of Qi and Jing
 Jing as creative/sexual energy, deep energy reserve used for procreation and cultivation of talent
Yin and Yang  emphasizes complementarity, interconnectedness, and interdependence of both sides seeking a new
balance with each other
 Yin the female, cold/ dark principle (not always evil) while Yang is the male/ hot/ light principle (not always
good)
 It represents the flow of nature that upon maturity a flower begins to wilt and die, fall off and become part of
the soil as nourishment. It is best understood as the the mountain during daytime it is filled with yang from
the east but as time flows and the day ends yang matures and is replaced by yin at sundown similarly at
dawn yin matures and it is replaced by yang. So goes the endless cycle of change.

For extra points: Here are optional activities to enhance you analytical skills. Answer the
questions in not more than 5 coherent sentences. Each question is worth 25 points
What is your impression of Laozi and Chuangzi? Why?
Identify elements of the Dao through their actions? Explain your answer
Guided Assessment
True or False
_______1. In the Vinegar tasters, Confucius states that life is sweet.
_______2. Yin Hsi is the gate keeper where the Old Master was about to pass through.
_______3. The Zhuangzi was written by the Old Master.
_______4. The word Te means virtue.
_______5. Yin and Yang is a concept of balance and eternal change.
_______6. Jing is creative energy.
_______7. Shen is the sum of abundant Qi and Jing in ones body.
_______8. The workings of Tao can be observed through chi.
_______9. Zhuangzi is a great gate keeper of the western boarder of Chu prefecture
_______10. Lao zi enjoyed working in the government.

Enrichment 1- Rituals and observances.

Ritual or liturgical expressions are important to the Taoist religion. These include ritual initiation meant for purification and
renewal in the life-cycle and development of the human person. Daoist priests are licensed to perform rituals of specific traditions.
One form of ritual is exorcism, performed in cases of sickness with the goal of gaining victory over the evil spirits. Other rituals
are performed in the form of festivals, especially New Year. In these rituals, incense is a central aspect, together with the
sacrificial offering of sacred writings such as paper charms which contain the prayers of individuals, bearing their names and
the intentions which are burned as part of the ritual. Those who will perform such rituals are encouraged to prepare for them by
fasting and by having a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Goal Practice
To obtain longevity and  use of potions/ elixers (led to the practice of alchemical experiments which made lasting
immortality contributions in various fields such as chemistry, medicine, and pharmacology)
 practice meditation (includes experiments with one’s self, especially the body through the
use of methods of inner alchemy, associated with yoga and other forms of meditation) •
 breathing techniques (to be in contact with qi, for longevity and to counter aging) evident
in in various Chinese Martial Arts
To dispel illness or suffering  Jiao Festival (or the rite of cosmic renewal, celebrated to rededicate the local temple and
to renew the whole community by cleansing it from suffering and hardships
 Refrain from eating grain/fasting (based on the Daoist belief that illness is caused by
three corpse/worms(demonic entities that hasten one’s death) which reside in the body,
and eating grain will encourage these worms to stay
 Confession and purging of one’s sins (based on the belief that illness may be caused by
wrongdoings)

Taoist Moral and Meditative Practices

 A Taoist exemplifies virtues such as humility and non-competitiveness. Humility means that one does not deviate from
one’s own nature where true wisdom and compassion arises from the heart. Non-competitiveness means that one is
contented and is not swayed by aggressive tendencies while passively waiting for the right moment to act, the simplicity of
wei wu wei.
 A Taoist values the virtues of naturalness, behaving as nature dictates, not as caused by social pressure or personal pride;
and naturalism, which entails resisting temptation to meddle with nature.Taoists disapprove of killing, stealing, lying, and
promiscuity. It promotes philanthropic, selfless, and humane behavior. Good behavior is seen as an essential part not only of
self-improvement but the world as a whole.

Taoist practices can be practiced together with other religious beliefs. It is more of a Philosophy or a way of life wherein the
practicioner has the free-agency to practice and gain wisdom from its teachings. In China, a citizen can be a Taoist and at the
same time a Confucianist or some times citizens practice all three religions at the same time.

Daozang (The Daoist Canon)

The term daozang, usually rendered as "Taoist Canon", originally referred to the collections of texts housed in each Taoist
monastery. It later designated Imperially-sponsored collections of Taoist texts kept in the Imperial libraries. The Taoist Canon of the
Ming period -- the Zhengtong Daozang or Taoist Canon of the Zhengtong(an emperor of the Ming Dynasty) Era -- is the latest such
collection and the only one that is extant today.
The almost 1,500 texts found in the present Taoist Canon are formally divided into "Three Grottoes" (sandong) and "Four
Supplements" (sifu). The division into Three Grottoes apparently dates from ca. A.D. 400, and mirrors the division into Three
Vehicles (sansheng) of the Buddhist doctrine(Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana). Each of the Three Grottoes originally
included the texts of one scriptural tradition:

1.Authenticity Grotto (Dongzhen): texts of the Shangqing (Supreme Purity) tradition;

2. Mystery Grotto (Dongxuan): texts of the Lingbao (Sacred Treasure) tradition;
3. Spirit Grotto (Dongshen): texts of the Sanhuang (Three Sovereigns) tradition.
Each of the Three Grottoes is divided into Twelve Sections (shier bu), originally designed to host different kinds of texts:
1. . Benwen (Main texts) 7. Weiyi (Ceremonies)
2. Shenfu (Talismans) 8. Fangfa (Rituals)
3. Yujue (Commentaries) 9. Zhongshu (Practices)
4. Lingtu (Diagrams and illustrations) 10. Jizhuan (Biographies)
5. Pulu (Histories and genealogies) 11. Zansong (Hymns)
6. Jielü (Precepts) 12. Biaozou (Memorials)

The Four Supplements(teachings), established ca. A.D. 500, originally contained works that traced their roots in one major
scripture, except the last that included the texts of an established tradition:
1.Great Mystery (Taixuan), based on the Laozi (Daode jing);
2.Great Peace (Taiping), based on the Taiping jing;
3.Great Purity (Taiqing), based on the Taiqing jing and other alchemical texts deemed to have been revealed by the Great Purity,
one of the several Heavens distinguished in Taoist cosmography;
4. Orthodox One (Zhengyi), based on the texts belonging to the identically named tradition, also known as Tianshi dao or Way of
the Heavenly Masters.

The present-day Taoist Canon formally preserves the division into Grottoes, Supplements and Sections.
The traditions of Taoism, today has been influenced by the different practices political and social practices throughout Chinese
history. Yet, it still contains the essential culture and belief of the Chinese people as they continue to develop as a people.

Independent Activity: Create a Concept Map relating Taoist concepts to Filipino folk belief: pamahiin, using the
following questions as guide. Note that your actual output must be a Concept Map that depicts the elements of Traditional
practices as compared to superstition. Depict the concept map on long bond paper. 100 points
Compare the Taoist traditional practices with our Filipino folk belief ”pamahiin” or superstitious beliefs.
1. Can superstitious beliefs actually have scientific basis? Explain your answer
2. What factors or themes can emerge from practicing these traditional elements

Reflection and evaluation:

Answer these questions to evaluate what you learned in this lesson.
What part of the lesson do you find most interesting and easy to understand?
What concpets do you find difficult to grasp and difficult to understand?

Referrences:
Jerome A. Ong and Mary Dorothy dL. Jose. Introduction to World religions and Belief Systems, Vibal
Group Inc.

*note.
 Kindly answer all activities except ones specified as opitonal.
 NO ANSWER KEY was provided in this lesson to encourage the learner to read and comprehend
the concepts at their own pace.
 If you find some concepts difficult you are encouraged to discuss your concerns and clarifications
with your teacher facilitator.
 Do not write anything on this booklet. Kindly write your answers on the medium specified by your
teacher facilitator. .