Daodejing Analysis

In the universe, good and evil intertwine to form the lives of people and the environment around them. Humans have, even from the beginning, thrived off systematic order of things, whether it be tribes coming together to survive the elements, or your new class schedule finally coming in the mail. One predominate thing we tend to prosper from is unified religion. One major religion, Taoism (all though more commonly known as Daoism), emphasizes a now universal theory of the Yin and Yang. This theory has established itself in all sorts of media, from books in the library to the songs heard on the radio. Arguably one of the most controversial books in American Literature, The Great Gatsby, has collections of characters that fall into the theorem

Daoist thought is holistic and universal, based on the observation of relationships among all phenomena (Jung, 1997). The Dao is a concept that is difficult to explain. It is described as that which is within everything, as a certain philosophy of living, and as a “Way” or path to enlightenment. Watts (1993) describes it as “a vast Oneness that precedes and in some mysterious manner generates the endlessly diverse forms of the world” (p.xxvii). The Dao is often explained in metaphorical terms, and through the use of other poetic literary devices such as rhyming and repetition. The Dao is expressed eloquently through the visual images and stories portrayed in Miyazaki’s films. The characters in Princess Mononoke also express attributes of the

As it is simply stated in the foreword as the author says “That was when I began to get an idea: to write a book that explained the principles of Taoism” (xii). The author’s purpose is seen throughout the story in the first chapter where he explains some key points about Taoism, by using relatable examples. The example that he uses in chapter one is a scene where he uses three Chinese philosophers, Lao Tse, Confucius and Buddha. Where each of them taste a bit of vinegar. While Confucius and Buddha are disgusted, Lao Tse has a smile on his face. The explanation for this it that Confucius possesses a sour view on life. While Buddha, Had a very bitter life. Both of them had a face of disgust. While Lao Tse has a smile on his face. Lao Tse believed that Harmony could be found by anyone at any time. Going back to the scenario Lao Tse was smiling because he was able to find peace with his situation despite tasting the incredibly bitter

In Confucianism Ren and Li enable one to preserve the Dao, when an individual’s Benevolence and the proper manners or behavior pattern combine, a mystical power is produced with human and spiritual relations. Only through ritualized interactions with others and with the spirits can one realize one’s full potential as a human being.

Although there are many of similarities between Daoism and Buddhism, there are also several contrasting reasons that the philosophy Daoism believed that everyday life could be peaceful and happiness, but they must follow the way of Dao and the way of nature. If they break the rules, they will not receive peace and harmony. Nevertheless, Buddhism is an idealism and they believed that we can rebirth. Everyone had to pay for their action. If a man did a bad action in his life, he must need to experience some pains before he could receive Enlightment.

Doaism and Confucianism are the top two ancient styles of living in China, where they both originated in 550 B.C.E (before common era). I believe that Daoism and Confucianism are both the top religions/styles of living in Ancient China, while they have some similarities they are much more different than they are similar. Both are not only ways of living but, they are a way of life.

Confucius only taught around 3,000 students during his lifetime in the Zhou Dynasty, but his ideas and values became integrated with the Chinese culture of the past and the present (Ames). He created a syllabus for mastering the “six arts” and inspired those who followed his principles to become effective citizens. Although no one knows much about his life, he greatly influence the way China grew into what it is today.

When China was being invaded by steppe nomads, Zhi Dun praised the religion but did not feel the need to mention other religions showing that he did support Buddhism, but faced difficulties to follow the religion in given circumstances. “...and who furthermore make a vow to be reborn without ever abandoning his sincere intention, will at the end of his life, when his sould passesaway,be miraculously transported thirhter.”(Doc. 2) show his great belief in the promise of a better afterlife but he does not mention any other religion to compare Buddhism to. Furthermore, the Anonymous Chinese scholar face difficulties in answering questions who greatly were against Buddhist practices and the scholar had to develop a way to positively answer those question while favoring Buddhism as a religion that should be worshipped. “If Buddhism is the greatest and most venerable of ways, why did the great sages of the past and Confucius not practice it?”(Doc. 3) this demonstrates the type of question asked to the scholar and expected to be answered in a manner that would accept the ways of Buddhism. Moreover, Zong Mi, leading Buddhist scholar, called Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism the perfect sages and in a way he defended Buddhism without criticizing Confucianism and Daoism.

Buddhism as barbaric, imperfect, and foreign while others saw it as beneficial and a path to an orderly society and eternal salvation. Document one shows how Buddhism spread from India to China, The fact the Buddhism was not native to China caused great distress to scholars like Han Yu who stated throughout document five how the Buddha did not follow Chinese customs. He went on to explain that “the Buddha was a man of the barbarians.” Also, in document three, Faixan travels to India to find out how to improve chinese Buddhism because he does not think that it has been perfected in China. On the contrary, scholars who supported Buddhism praised how it offered a path to salvation (Document 2) and some, like Zang Mi in document six, went as far as to compare it to Taoism and Confucianism, saying that “all three teachings lead to the creation of an orderly society and for this reason the must be observed with respect” among other things. Both sides created great argument that only strengthened the beliefs of the elite who opposed the philosophy and the lower class who rejected

Document 1 speaks directly from the Buddhist culture, citing “The Four Noble Truths” and lying down the basic principles of achieving physical and spiritual enlightenment. The document displays the basic ideals that all Buddhists, in and out of China, believed. Furthermore, Zong Mi, a leading Buddhist scholar, compares the Buddha to the Chinese sages, Confucius and Laozi, as all deserving of respect since they all lead to the creation of an orderly society. However, Zong Mi’s position as a Buddhist scholar gives him bias towards wanting to defend

Many of scholars believe that Buddhism was not the main teaching in early China. As many of the scholars see that Confucism was an active teaching or philosophy during the same time as Buddhism. For example, in document 2, Confucius has written records, while Buddhism does not, “Confucian Classics do not contain everything...Buddha is not mentioned.(Document 3)” In document 3, they also used the comparison of Confucius to Buddha, “white deer to a unicorn... swallow to a phoenix,(Document 3)” which is the comparison of a real animal to a fantasy animal. The authors purpose is to show that Confucius is the a real teaching in China while Buddhism was not and just an idea. Finally, many people did not believe that Buddha had any affiliation with China and the dynasties. Buddha did not speak Chinese nor wear Chinese cultural clothes and he came from India which leads many scholars to believe he did not have an effect. For example, “...to say that Buddha is no more than a cult… did not exist here in ancient time.(Document 4)” The point of view of the author is against Buddhism and does not believe that Buddhism had any correlation with China. Many scholars disagree and have no say with the success of Buddhism in

The main theme that entangles itself in all of the source material is the idea of how governments should be run in such a powerful empire, such as Imperial Rome and the Han Dynasty. Starting with the first source, it is evident that the first Qin emperor believed that only the orthodox teachings should be tolerated, which meant that the works of the Five Classics and its teachings were to be extinguished. The next primary source serves as a supplement to explaining the fall of the Qin dynasty due to its warring ideas and Jia Yi argues that if Confucius teachings were implemented then the dynasty would have still been intact. The third source explains how the Qin dynasty was unjust in its equal appropriation of punishment against criminals regardless of motives or social class. Essentially, Dong Zhongshu believed that a dynasty could not be successful if it failed to establish a fair and righteous justice system for its citizens. This leads into the ideas of the fourth primary source. As the Han dynasty became prudent, the officials had constructed a goal of enhancing the government by supporting the "Legalist" idea of an autocratic state. Ideologies of

Chinese women suffer from the unfair notion for thousands of years. The basic requirements of being virtuous women are “Three Obediences and Four Virtues (三从四德)”. The “Three Obediences” were “obey your father before marriage (未嫁从父); obey your husband when married (既嫁从夫); and obey your sons in widowhood (夫死从子)”. And the “Four Virtues” were “Female virtues (妇德)”, “Female words (妇言)”, “Female appearances (妇容)” and “Female work (妇功)”. (Sun, 2015). The three obediences and four virtues occurred in ancient China society. It is a set of basic moral principle for women in Confucian. These instructions first appeared in the “Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial” and in the “Rites of Zhou.” (Kelleher, 2005) to describe traditional ceremonial and behavior.

The key experience, which should be the main goal, in Taoism is the idea of tao "the way" and developing as a person to become more in touch and in control of one’s own emotions. Emotionally the beliefs in Taoism are strongly rooted in compassion, virtue and meditation to provide different emotions. The three jewels of Taoism are meant to be the virtues of Taoism; compassion, frugality, humility. Compassion is the feeling of great sympathy and sorrow for someone who is stricken by misfortune. Virtue in the other hand being the moral excellence, goodness and righteousness. The purposes of rituals and meditation is to give experience for a person 's soul in order to develop and control their own

It can be said that opposites attract as well as complement each other. Within the religions of Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto lay harmony, respect, and ethical behavior towards nature, ancestors, oneself, and others. Although Daoism and Confucianism are native to China and Shinto to Japan, East Asian cultures integrate these religions and practices with openness and acceptance. They are the light and dark without reference to good or bad as the opposites necessitate one another. (Fisher, 2014, 201) Instead the interwoven religions of Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto compliment each other in addition to having distinct differences.