quiz for 2/20

celestial masters

(Tianshi)

first major movement or organized Daosim, a householder tradition emphasizing communal rituals founded in the second century CE by Zhang Daoling & now referred to as Orthodox Unity

complete perfection

(Quanzhen)

a second major movement of unorganized Daosim, a monastic tradition founded in the 12th century by Wang Zhe & now represented largely by its Dragon Gate Lineage

dao

(Way)

ultimate reality & its manifestations in everyday life, the preexisting source of everything in the cosmos; & the process through which everything in it is transformed

daodejing

(scripture on the way and its virtue)

the most influential test in Daoist history & one of the worlds most frequently translated books, traditionally attributed to Laozi

de

power or virtue. Those who attain the Dao also said to attain this power and virtue

immortal

(Xian)

the central exemplar of the Daoist tradition. Also called “transcendence”, they enjoy life & other super powers achieved through self-cultivation techniques

Laozi

(old master)

legendary figure credited with the writing of the Daodejing, revered in his defied forms as Lord Lao & most high lord Lao

Lord Lao

Laozi divinized as the personification of the Daodejing, a revealer of Daoist texts, & one of Three Pure Ones

qi

key Chinese concept variously translated as breath, vital energy, life force

Wang Zhe

(1113-1170)

founder of the complete perfection movement and one of its patriarchs

wuwei

(“nonfiction”)

sometimes translated as “inaction”, but better understood as spontaneous, effortless, or unintentional action

yin & yang

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

Zhuangzi

(“Master Zhuang”)

Daoist sage credited with the writing the humorous & enigmatic book of stories also known as the Zhuangzi

Abraham

Hebrew Bible patriarch & father of the so-called Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, & Islam

circumcision

(bris)

ritual cutting of the male foreskin & the sign of covenant b/w God & Abraham

ethical monotheism

form of single-god belief that describes God as lawgiver & judge & emphasized religions ethical dimension

Exodus

influential biblical story narrating the escape of Moses & the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the promised land

Israel

people of God and nation-state founded in 1948

Shabbat

(Sabbath)

day of rest observed on the seventh day of the week, b/w Friday and Saturday at sundown

Shema

Jewish creed, beginning, “Hear, O Israel”

tikkun olam

(“repair the world”)

mandate to work to heal what is broken in the world