Daoism and Confucianism Review

Li Chi

"The Book of Rites"; a record of 300 years of Chinese religious practices

Chuang Tzu

This Daoist text combines the ideas and knowledge of its author, sometimes by elaborating or repeating Lao Tzu's teachings through parables or fables.

Ch'un Chiu

"The Annuals of Spring and Autumn"; this text deals with a number of subjects in great detail, and reads like an almanac or encyclopedia

I Ching

"The Book of Changes"; one of the most ancient classical Chinese texts. This text was not originally intended for Daoism, and contains ancient divination practices.

I Ching (Confucian)

"The Book of Changes"; this texts explains ancient Chinese divination practices

Shu Ching

"The Book of Historical Records"; this text claims to be a record of events dating back as far as 3 million BCE

Shih Ching

"The Book of Odes"; a collection of poetry written between 1000 and 500 BCE

Falun Dafa

A form of Qigong mixing Buddhism with Daoist energy practices, and emphasizing ethics- the development of truthfulness, benevolence, and forbearance.

Birthday of the Jade Emperor

Celebrated on the ninth day of the first lunar month, Confucians observe this holiday by fasting, burning incense, offering rice cakes, and praying to the Jade Emperor.

Confuncian View of Life/Death

Consideration of the afterlife is discouraged. Instead, the focus should be on living a life in harmony with family, society, and authority.

Daoist Life/Death View

Daoists do not consider death or the afterlife to be an issue they need to address. they believe that concerns about death or the afterlife waste energy better exerted toward following the proper path in life.

Daoism Worship Restrictions

Daoists may worship at temples or home altars. Anyone can become a Daoist, and one only has to possess the desire to follow "The Way"

Mao Zedong

Former dictator of China who hated religion (especially Confucianism) and made China a communist country

Chuang Tzu (person)

The other person that helped found Daoism, and was rumored to have been a direct disciple of Lao Tzu. He wrote a Daoist text titled after himself.

Literati

The philosophical form of Daoism, followed by intellectuals and artists.

Chinese New Year

This Daoist holiday takes place on the first day of the first lunar month on the Chinese calendar. This day marks the ascension of the Kitchen Lord to the realm of the 33rd Jade Emperor.

Analects Sec. 2

This text argues that people led by virtue are more likely to become "good people" than those led by the law.

Analects Sec. 13

This text describes how a ruler should lead their kingdom through good character.

Analects Sec. 19

This text speaks of the importance and meaning of sacrifice.

Analects Sec. 1

This text talks about how a young man should behave at home and abroad, and characteristics he should possess.

Why have Chinese authorities recently introduced the teaching of Confucius in elementary schools?

To encourage social morality

5 Relationships

1) Father and Son (Parent and Child) 2) Husband and Wife 3) Older and Younger Siblings 4) Friend to Friend 5) Emperor and Subject

Origin Date of Confucianism

6th Century BCE

M'eng Tzu

A Confucius scholar with a self-titled book who became one of the greatest champions of Confucian virtues during his time.

Wu wei

A Daoist principle meaning "nonaction"; a concept that stresses a nonforced lifestyle that allows one to live in accordance with their instincts or natural pulses.

Quigong

A Daoist system of harnessing inner energies for spiritual realization.

Taiping Rebellion

A civil war in southern China from 1850 to 1864. The millenarian movement was battling the Manchu Qing dynasty, for they wanted to overthrow the dynasty and replace the East Asian religions (including Confucianism) with their form of Christianity.

Confucian Canon

Also known as the Analects, this is the only existing Confucian text that is believed to contain any of the direct ideas or teachings of Confucius himself.

Taiji Quan

An ancient Chinese system of physical exercises, which uses slow movements to help one become part of the universal flow of energy.

Lao Tzu

An archivist for the Chinese Imperial Court who wrote the Tao Te Ching and is accredited with founding Daoism.

Confucius Day

Confucian holiday also known as "Teacher's Day" that was originally designated to honor the birth and life of Confucius

Ren

Confucian virtue that includes innate goodness, love, benevolence, perfect virtue, humaneness, and human-heartedness.

Founder of Confucianism

Confucius

Dragon Boat Festival

Daoist festival that honors the life of Chu Yuan, a beloved provincial leader who committed suicide by drowning himself in the Mi-Lo River.

Lantern Festival

Daoist holiday that honors the "Heavenly Officer". Families decorate and light lanterns around their homes.

Feng shui

Daoist practice of determining the most harmonious position for a building according to the natural flows of energy.

Neo-Confucianists

Modern day Confucians that promote meditation and dedication to becoming a "noble person".

The Cultural Revolution of 1966 to 1976

Led by Mao Zedong, this revolution was an attempt to remove traditional Chinese and capital elements from the country in exchange for new Communist ideology. Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist temples and books were destroyed.

Confucian Lifestyle Foci

Living a sincere life, improving one's self, actively seeking out knowledge through education, and being fair, civil, and wise in one's dealings with other people.

Confucian View of God

Pantheistic

Daoist View of God

Pantheistic

Daoist Lifestyle Foci

Pursuit of wu wei, a lifestyle that emphasizes quietism and non-aggresion, personal hygiene, meditation, dietary moderation, mental control, and physical discipline.

Origin Date of Daoism

Sixth Century BCE (unconfirmed)

Yang

The bright, assertive, "male" aspect of qi

Tao Te Ching

The first book of the two primary sacred texts of Daosim, it stresses the need for a classless, caste-free society and the equality of human beings, and introduces the concept of wu wei.

Qi

The vital energy in the universe and in our bodies that contains two aspects known as yin and yang.

Analects

These texts are made by Confucius's students based on lessons he taught during his final days.

Five Classics

These texts contain many Confucian writings and ideas, though they are not considered to be exclusively Confucian texts. They were also at the core of education for most of the Asian countries for hundreds of years.

Queen Mother of the West

a Daoist celestial being that guards the elixir of life and is the most wondrous incarnation of yin energy

Shangdi

a great spiritual being, the Lord on High, ruler of the universe, supreme ancestor of the Chinese.

Li Hongzhi

a teacher of Falun Dafa who has spread the practice to over 30 countries.

Yin

the dark, receptive, "female" aspect of qi