Chapter 6 Daoism, Confucianism, Shinto

The Dao

The path, course, or way of the universe. It is experienced best through nature.

Dao De Jing

An ancient book, attributed to Laozi, the wise sage of China

Divination

Seeking to know the future by understanding meaning in natural objects

Yin / Yang

Universal balancing forces (dark/light, male/female, dry/wet, etc.)

Laozi

The “Old Master,” the “founder” of Daoism

Confucius

A 6th Century BCE teacher who taught the need for an orderly society based on 5 right relationships

Analects

A book of ancient wisdom, containing the teachings of Confucius

Shinto

The religion of Japan, built on ancient traditions and myths of the Japanese people

Kami

The “spirits” of the Shinto religion, believed to be present in natural features, or even in one’s ancestors

State Shinto

The “official” religion of Japan. It underwent a dramatic change at the end of World War II

Kojiki

The sacred text of the Shinto religion. It contains many myths and legends of the
Japanese people