ALL Chinese Religions (Taoism and Confucianism) Vocab

Lao Tzu

“Old master”

• Chinese philosopher considered to be the founder of Taoism

• Worshiped as a deity

• Many legends consist of him having no human father and his mother carrying him in her womb for 72 years before he emerged from her left armpit, able to talk

• His teachings emphasize living in harmony with nature through simplicity, humility, and the principle of wu-Wei (non-action)

• His the author of Tao Te Ching which is filled with his philosophical insights

Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching)

The book of the way and power

Tao: the way; Te: the power (of the Tao)

• main scripture of Taoism 

• 81 chapters 

• Said to be written by Lao-Tzu

• Full of paradoxes, hard to interpret 

Dao (Tao)

English translation. The way

The way or pattern of nature, all things follow it

• tough it is typically associated with Taoism, it is not unique to just that philosophy

• The Dao is believed to be the source of the universe

• Those who follow Taoism believe that any attempt to define the Dao is futile as it transcends human understanding

De (Te) 

“Virtue”

The psychic or moral power a person gains by following the Tao

• concept is mainly applied to Chinese emperors and symbolized their “divine right” to rule that was given to them by heaven 

• It is personal to each person and harmonizes their actions 

• De gives a standard for morality, prioritizing goodness and generosity 

Yin-yang

Yin- “dark side” yang-“sunny side”

Opposite but complementary forces that together create balance and harmony in the universe

• yin and yang express how all things arise and transform through the Tao. Harmony is achieved when these forces are balanced

• The Tao itself is the source from which yin and yang flow

• Yin- darkness, femininity, stillness, earth, moon

• Yang- light, masculinity, activity, heaven, sun

Tian

“Heaven”

Supreme divine power in ancient Chinese belief and is the source of moral order and authority

• gives legitimate rulers and government “the Mandate of Heaven”- authority based on virtue 

• Not a personal god or afterlife as in western religions 

• Emperor is called son of heaven (tianzi)

Three pure ones

The highest trio (or trinity) of Taoist gods, representing the purest forms of the Tao

Each rules one of the three highest heavens

honored and worshiped in rituals, shrines, and prayers 

• Images often seen in artwork in China 

Ten thousand things

All the phenomena of the universe, or everything that is named, differentiated, and experienced

• represents all that is created

• Shows the Dao’s power

From the Daodejing- “the Dao produces one; one produces two; two produces three; three produces the ten thousand things”

Qi (chi) 

“Breath (of air”

The unseen energy that flows through a person’s body 

• associated with the middle dantian, the chest/heart 

• Regulating Qi leads to health and long life 

• Practices like tai chi, acupuncture, breathing techniques and qi gong helps a person regulate their qi amd refine it into “spirit” 

• Qi allows a person to attain a state of balance and harmony 

Wu Wei 

“Non-action”

Not forcing things, acting in a way that is natural and in harmony with life’s flow 

• one of the most important teachings of Taoism 

• Trying to force outcomes creates more problems, so going with the flow amd letting things be prevents thatt

• Wu-wei leads to less stress and ego, and more clarity and harmony 

• The Daodejing says “by acting without action all things will be order” 

Ziran

“By itself” (naturalness)

Something happening spontaneously, naturally or without external force

• go with the flow, be who you are naturally

• Highly valued attitude in Taoism

• Wu-Wei is the practice, ziran is the result

Zhuangzi

Translates to: Master Zhuang

A taoist philosopher

• wrote the Zuangzi-the second most important Taosit book

• his stories show that letting go of ego and livng natually (ziran) brings true freedom

• He taught that life is always changing and we should go with the flow (wu-wei)

• he taught a type of relativism: things are not bad or good in themselves, we label them ‘bad’ or ‘good’, often wrongly

• must regard riches and poverty, life and death, and health and disease as equal (yin-yang)

Yijing

“book of changes”

• became one of the 5 Classics of Confucinaism, the official canonical texts of Confuciansim

• Contains 64 hexagrams (six-lined figures) form from 8 trigrams (picture)

• used for divination (fortune-telling)

• one divination method involves throwing dice to determine each line of the hexagram

Fan/Fu

literal meaning: to return

The principle of returning to the beginning or to the Dao; all things must naturally return (cyclical)

• describes the natural process of revering to roots

• expresses the Dao’s movement

• “All things flourish, then each returns to its source. Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature” (Daodijing)

• Can also indicate a spiritual or moral return: repentance, to give up an evil deed and return to goodness

Three treasures

The three main energies of the human body:

• essence (jing), breath(qi), and spirit (shen)

Each is generated in a dantian- spirit in the head, qi in the chest and jing in the abdomen

• in Neidan (inner alchemy), jing is transformed into qi, then qi into shen, then shen into emptiness

“three treasures” can also mean the three main virtues of Taosim: compassion, frugality, and humility

Dantians

literal meaning: “cinnabar fields” or “fields of the Elixir”

The three parts of the human body- abdomen, heart, and brain- where the neidan process of creating, nourishing, and refining inner elixir happens

• Lower Cinnabar field=seat of essence→abdomen

  • 1st stage or neidan (inner alchemy) process: circulates essence and generated inner elixir

• Middle Cinnabar Field= seat of breath (qi)→heart

  • 2nd stage of neidan: elixir moves from lower to middle dantian where it is nourished

• upper cinnabar field=seat of spirit→ brain

  • 3rd stage of neidan process: elixir moves from middle to upper dantian; spirit is refined

Wuxing

literal meaning: “five phrases” or “five agents”

The five elements or agents of the universe that interact to create all things that exist

• 5 agents= wood, fire, earth, metal, water

• each agent produces or breaks down from another agent (ex. wood grows with water, fire comes from wood, water extinguishes fire, fire melts metal)

• used in traditional Chinese medicine- certain columns correlate with organs or emotions → helps diagnose and heal the sick
  

Neidan

literal meaning “ inner alchemy”

A Taoist practice that focuses on using the body’s own energy (qi) to improve health and lengthen life

• uses meditation, breath control, and visualization

• to purify esscense (jing) into qi, then qi into spirit (shen)

• the goal is the creation of an “immortal spiritual body” or union with the Dao

Taijiquan(Tai Chi)

literal meaning: “supreme ultimate fist”

A slow and gentle form of exercises that helps balance body, mind, and energy

• a form of neidan

• movements are slow, soft, and flowy

• it teaches balance between yin (calm, soft) and yang (active, strong)

• helps improve strength, flexibility, and calm focus

Qigong

Literal meaning- Qi technique

Traditional Chinese practice that combines gentle movements, breathing exercises, and meditation to cultivate and improve health and well-being

• Qigong has been practiced in China for thousands of years for health, relaxation, and spiritual growth

• often used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve overall well-being and prevent illness

• Taijiquan (tai chi) is a TYPE of Qigong

Shouyi

literal meaning: “embracing the one”

• a form of concentrative mediation that focuses all attention upon one point in the body

• the purpose of this practice is to attain total absorption in that point and this perceive the oneness of all being

• the result of the practice is not only long life, but control over all bodily function and appearances, along with the utter freedom of immortality

Taixi

means “embryonic breathing”

a breathing practice in which, instead of breathing through the nose, the practitioner breathes like an embryo, through their pores

practitioners believe that taixi draws life-force energy (qi) directly from the universal womb

a form of neidan→ the goal is to create the “immortal spiritual body” within

Shenren

literal meaning “sage”

A shenren is an ideal, enlightened individual who lives in harmony with the Dao (way)

• described as spiritually liberated and in tune with nature

• embody wu wei- effortless action

K’ung Fu-Tzu (Confucius)

• Master Kung

• “China’s first teacher”

• born in the 6th century BCE

• the founder of confucianism

  • a way of life based on high ethical and social standards and a belief in social harmony and order

• he highly valued learning, which he believed led to virtue

• he believed in social hierarchy (specifically the 5 constant relationships) in which the higher people must earn the respect of the lower people and guide them

analects

a collection of sayings and dialogues of Confucius recorded by his disciples after his death

• teaches about morality, proper behavior, respect and good gov.

• shaped Chinese education, politics, and family virtues for over 2000 years and is still studied in schools and universities

ancestor worship

traditional rituals honoring the dead, important in Chinese popular religion

• Food, wine, incense, candles, and flowers are offered on altars to one’s deceased ancestors

• Confucius says that one must worship one’s ancestors in the traditional way as part of xiao

• a person’s soul survives as long as it is fed by these offerings. if neglected, the soul can become a haunting ghost or demon. a properly fed soul can become a kindly spirit or god, sending blessings and good luck to descendants.

• Some Taoist tests discourage making food and drink offering to the dead

Chun-tzu (junzi)

Literal meaning: gentleman

a noble, virtuous, educated and morally upright person

• The goal of Confucianism is to become a junzi

• a junzi’s most important attribute is jen: benevolence

• a junzi practices the 8 virtues and cultivates wen

• Rulers and government officials are expected to behave as junzis

Five Constant Relationships `

The key relationships in society that maintain order and harmony

Hierarchical relationships of mutual respect and responsibilities: the higher person guides the lower person

Establishes ethical conduct and social harmony

confucians believe that if each person fulfills their role properly then society will function smoothly

The 5:

1. Ruler and Subject

2. father and son

3. husband and wife

4. older and younger sibling

5. older and younger friend

xiao

means: “filial piety”

the virtue of respect, obedience, and care for one’s parents and ancestors

• showing respect and devotion to one’s parents and ancestors

• Maintains family and social order, reflecting the Confucian ideal of living in harmony

• preserves ancestral traditions and heritage

• expresses gratitude for the sacrifices parents make

• after parents and ancestors die, they are venerated (ancestor worship)

wen

means “Cultural arts”

the cultivation of cultural and artistic refinement, an essential element of being a junzi (“gentleman”)

• includes caligraphy, painting, poetry, literature, dance, opera

• wen complements wu (action), meaning military power

  • a wise and gentlemanly society cultivates both art and power

Ren (jen)

“benevolence”

Core Confucian virtue of kindness and compassion

• The primary virtue of Confucianism, which must be central to every junzi

• Confucius believed everyone can develop ren

• an ongoing, lifelong process of gradual self-improvement and moral development

• The Chinese characters that make up the word indicate that is refers to how 2 people should treat each other

shu (shoo)

“self-reflection”
feeling what others feel, treating others how you would want to be treated (empathy)

• core value of empathy and moral reciprocity

• central to the main confucian virtue of jen

8 virtues

core Confucian and Taoist ethical values that form personal character, good relationships and social harmony

1. filial piety

2. sibling harmony

3. loyalty/dedication

4. trustworthiness

5. property (li)

6. sacrifice

7. honor/integrety

8. sense of shame

li

“propriety” (root meaning is “ritual”

The proper conduct, rituals, and etiquette that govern social interactions and maintain harmony within society

• a junzi doesn’t just live ethically, they follow all proper social norms

• promotes harmony, encouraging people to act respectfully and peacefully, creating balance in society and relationships

• framework for doing what is right and ethical

• needed for social harmony and order