Chinese religions Vocab Quiz#1

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:

1. yuanshi Tianzun- creation/origin

2. Lingbao Tianzun- cosmic order 

3. Daode Tiamzun- source of moral teaching, became incarnate of Lao Tzu

• 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 the U.S. 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-WWI 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