University:
MacEwan University
Course:
HIST 476 | Topics in the History of Religion
Academic year:

2024
Views:

403

Pages:

3
Author:

Arthur M.

4/12 - Daoism Zhuangzhi (4th C. BC.) Intentionally bizarre text Trying to de, not teach to transform / knock out of our normal thinking break out of artificial thinking Stories famous story → Zhuangzhi dreamt of a butterfly Is he Zhuangzhi dreaming of a butterfly OR a butterfly dreaming Zhuangzhi? what is reality? Radically diff Frog in the Well (story) → thought his entire world was a well KEY TERM = ziran = "naturalness," spontaneity" we are all trying to achieve nature & animals all achieve this naturally (but not humans) literally zi = by / of itself, ran = so, thus getting into a "zone" + spontaneity before returning Daoism vs Confucianism Dao (the way) as the moral order of the cosmos Dao (the Way) as the mysterious source of the cosmos Self-Cultivation through li (rituals) Self- Goal: to become a junzi Goal: to become a sage (or immortal) Are Daoism, Buddhism, & Confucianism all practiced together? 3 teachings (san jiao) Confucianism: focus on this life, external practices; governing social interactions. Daoism: focus on this life, internal practices, prolonging life span Buddhism: focus on future lives (rebirth, liberation) Qi energy, life force, breath All things are penetrated by qi: Qi of Earth, humans, heaven, etc... we are always leaking qi because we don't conserve it when you run out of qi, you die practices to conserve qi (conforming yourself w/ Dao) to live forever → traditional medicine Internal Alchemy = other practices (acupuncture & herbs) to conserve qi external → lead to gold Daoism = pill to immortality (a concoction) martial arts & other exercised INTERNAL FLOW & ENERGY Pantheon Grand One → reincarnation = Laozi Supreme One Jade One → Jade emperor & court modeled for imperial palace manifestations of Dao Eight immortals (humans) in pantheon who ascended