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

2024
Views:

158

Pages:

3
Author:

Arthur M.

Title: 4110 - Daoism: The Way of the Sage Textual Content: Dao "The Way" (pronounced Dao) Moral order and cosmos, an essence that's mysterious Imminent and within us, flowing through all things Dao De Jing (Power of the Way) Impersonal source Laozi (6th BC?) Discovering truths of the universe Shrouded in mystery, not a historical figure Insider perspective, amazing teacher Legend: "otherworldly" (while Confucius isn't) "Old Master" Not a proper name Became a recluse, used to be a librarian Left China to "barbarian lands" (West) Daodejing (The Way, Power, Scripture) Wrote the Daodejing in one night! 2nd most translated book of ALL TIME (after Bible) Teaching is not about memorization "The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao" "Words fall short" "Talking can't teach the Dao" "He who spoke it did not know" Apophatic: Saying what something is NOT Colorless, noiseless, formless, imageless Kataphatic: Saying what something IS (positive description) "Origin of heaven and earth" "Mother of myriad things" "Enigmatic," "mystery" (veering to apophatic) Ancient and eternal Dao If people did NOT laugh, it would NOT be the Dao Dao is flowing through all of us We must conform and follow the Way Against Confucianism's self-cultivation (doing) Insists on NON-ACTION Wu Wei Idea of flexibility What's stronger - oak tree or sapling? Sapling because it bends to the wind when tree falls Water is a great example for Dao Wears stones down even though you flow Wu wei influences martial arts Deflecting and dodging Another example: Napoleon tried to attack Russia but Russians retreated and burned their farms, causing Napoleon's forces to starve and die from cold Non-action True wisdom lies in yielding