Hindu Philosophy Philip Pecorino Summary

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.

Daoist philosophy places emphases on an instinctive awareness, supported by balanced contact with nature, and rejects everything that is not natural. The principles of the Daoist encouraged isolation from humanity for personal development in nature and attaining balance between yin and yang. Confucian philosophy seeks order and social stability. The philosophy states that junzi (superior person) who has ren (human heartedness), exemplifies the ideal social order sought. An individual could become a junzi by promoting certain qualities like understanding of suffering and a quest of morality and righteousness.

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.

Daoist philosophies fixated on the harmonious and mysterious workings of nature, harmony being the fact that every living or nonliving thing has its opposite. Daoism is most commonly associated with Laozi; he, “stressed that nature contains a divine impulse that directs all life” (World Civilizations). According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Laozi’s teachings were the inspiration behind many books, cultural traditions, and works of art. Daoism found its popularity among the upper class who were seeking out a religious way of life. The fact that the wealthy were interested in Daoist morals is quite ironic due to Daoism’s focus on frugal living and modesty.

These three passages selected from the Daodejing are good representative of the three core ideas of Daoism—the Dao, wuwei, and yin and yang. The first passage (1.) writes about the Dao, also known as the Way. The Dao is the source of everything in the universe, the power or force that sustains the natural order of

The Tao is not a thing and it is not seen like a God because it is not worshipped, it is more of a system of guidance. It is best described as “developing oneself so as to live in complete conformity with the teaching of the Tao.” Daoism is a religion of opposites and unity. It is where yin and yang started and the principal of it is it sees the world as filled with complementary forces. Daoism practices include meditation, which is concentration or mindfulness or visualization.

Daoism and Confucianism are very different philosophies. The thought of the two ruling together is very hard and unrealistic to imagine, but not impossible. Both believe in very basic morals such as, not stealing, cheating, lying, or killing. They also believe in treating people well. Daoism strongly believes every living thing including bugs are equal.

Confucian says “if I can hear the Dao in the morning I will die contented that evening!” For the reason being that in his time men of virtue and uprightness must take it upon themselves to protect and preserve this ideal or civilization would be doomed only when men of power are unwilling or incapable to uphold their order. Daoist from the beginning hold Dao as their primary source of the cosmos. Daoist are self-consciously they express a decidedly alternative understanding of the Dao and ideal human action. Dao is not only the deep transcendent entity that gives rise to all things but also the immanent core that exist in all things making all things equal.

In reality, Hindus still believe in Brahman, one Supreme Being. Hinduism affects ones entire life and being. Hinduism is both monotheistic and polytheistic in my opinion. Since there are so many different components of Hinduism I don’t think it could be classified under these 2 categories. I find

Both Daoism and Confucianism believed in the power of the Dao or the “way of life”. Although, while the followers of Confucianism had much more leeway and had the freedom to create their own destiny, in Daoism, the people let the Dao determine what path their life would take. The history of Daoism is said to have

Confucians heavily emphasized bettering the community through active learning. On the other hand, Daoists prefer a more passive approach where they withdrew themselves from the problem in order to solve it (Benjamin 9). Also, unlike Confucius, the Daoists thought about the metaphysical, such as whether or not death is really something to be feared (Benjamin 9). Nature is a large focus in Daoism, something to be respected, while Confucians emphasize respect towards humans (Benjamin 9). Even so, both Daoism and Confucianism values are adopted by many of the modern day Chinese, where they will be Confucians in the workplace and Daoists when they get some time to explore their inner selves (Benjamin

Daoism taught Teachings based on Lazoi, meaning it was a peaceful and had nothing to do with violence or harming people no matter what. It told people to give up on concerns about the world, and to seek inner peace and live in harmony to give up worldly desires. Daoism usually gave examples of nature in their teachings on how to promote a peaceful society, and how to behave without anger. Daoism was existent between 500 and 300 B.C. and it helped bring the chinese to a sense of mind, because during that time many people needed help in finding what’s good and what’s bad (Spielvogel 290-291). Daoism was a second choice, and theory that also helped bring China peace to

Milne's book, "Winnie the Pooh," are the perfect fit to understanding the concepts of Daoism. By matching the personalities of Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, even Tigger and Rabbit, and comparing them to the Daoist concepts of p'u, wu wei, and ch'i is easier to relate to, since we all can see ourselves in one of the characters. For instance, Pooh, does not overthink, does not over do, and does not over react, he just lets things happen simply, such as with p'u, and naturally, such as that with wu wei. Pooh always get everything accomplished by just being," p'u." Unlike his best friend Piglet, who is the complete opposite of any Daoist concepts.

Daoism is a multifaceted tradition that has been around for over 2,500 years; there is a wide inequality in the way the society relate to women. For instance, Stephen translates, “Now I leap in joy, forgetting limitations, in the hope that you might instruct me and dispel me ignorance, thereby saving this human, Yang Xi. This is only wish, night after night” (Stephen 174). The nature of these relationships differed greatly, but most are guided by the intricacy of other beliefs. They regularly perceive fruitfulness, sexuality, motherhood, arcane knowledge, and hidden powers as the directly associated with the woman and assess these elements optimistically.

(Fisher, 2014, p. 195) Daoism is keeping a low profile, seeking stillness, humility, and quietness. (Fisher, 2014, p. 196) There are beliefs in faith healing, talismans, and longevity of life via inner alchemy. (Fisher, 2014, p. 197) Confucianism is based upon morality, an orderly society, education, and the hear-and-now. (Fisher, 2014, p. 207, 211, 216) Confucianism focus is on hierarchical relationships of parent and child, teacher and student, ruler and subject, friend and friend with the understanding of mutual reciprocity. (Fisher, 2014, 209-210) These relationships evolve at home, and the morality taught transcends outward towards society and government.