Chapter 9: Daoism "The Way of Flourishing"

Daoism's Problem

Daoism's Problem

lifelessness

Daoism's Solution

flourishing

Daoism's Techniques

various methods designed to allow the practitioner to revert to the Dao, including meditation, visualization, internal alchemy, healthful eating, breathing exercises, and bureaucratic rituals

Daoism's Exemplars

sages, immortals, and Perfected Persons

Daodejing

"Scripture on the Way and its Virtue"; is the most influential text in Daoist history and one of the world's most influential translated books

What is Dao?

Dao is the ultimate reality and its manifestations in everyday life, the preexisting source of everything in the cosmos, and the process through which everything in it is transformed. Dao also means "path" and "way."

What is Qi?

It means vital energy; breathing. the movement of qi is the practice of tai chi

Yin and Yang

are the ancient Chinese concept in which two complementary principles interact with one another to create individual, societal, and cosmic change

Yin

said to be dark, feminine, passive, and cold

Yang

is white, masculine, active, and warm

Tai Chi

Chinese martial art that features slow, circular movements

Qigong

"wind and water." initially a method for determining the best placement of a grave. this method is now used to find sites for homes and to place objects inside homes

What are the 2 main branches of Daoism in China?

1. Orthodoxy Unity (Zhengyi); emphasis in communal rituals, and has a tradition of householders

2. Complete Perfection (Quanzhen); emphasis on self-cultivation and has a monastic tradition

Who were the two main figures of Daoism?

1. Laozi; the psuedohistorical sage credited with writing the Daodejing

2. Zhuangzi; Daoist sage and the author of the text called Zhuangzi. It is longer and more playful than the Daodejing

Internal vs. External forms of Daoist alchemy

External Alchemy: attempted to create an elixir of immortality out of dangerous metals and minerals

Internal Alchemy: the elixir of immortality is manufactured inside the human body via meditation and visualization