ipl-logo

Sun Wukong And Moral Behavior In Ancient China

1002 Words5 Pages

Kelvin Yang Mythology Mrs. Larsen May 23,2023 Sun WuKong and Moral Behavior in Anicent China Characters in a variety of fairy tales, myths, folktales, and more act in a certain way to portray their morals. Throughout the times of ancient China, morals and behavior were heavily enforced and expected. These standards were set by ancient Chinese philosophies that are still present to this day. A popular Chinese mythology that reflects the idea of moral behavior is The Journey to the West. Sun Wukong, commonly known as the Chinese myth of the Monkey King, is a well-known story that tells the tale of a bold monkey who develops superhuman abilities and is born from a large rock. Sun Wukong recklessly uses his new bound powers and displeases the heavenly peace. Sun Wukong was banished from heaven and confined to a mountain for over 500 years. Eventually, a traveling monk named Tang Sanzang discovered the monkey trapped in the mountain and offered to release him only if he would atone for his past sins and become the monk’s disciple. Sun Wukong …show more content…

Taoism conveys the idea of the Tao, meaning "the great way of nature has no selfish motives, that Mother Nature gives and nourishes without claiming anything in return" (CONTENTMENT AS THE WAY OF NATURE: INSIGHTS FROM TAOISM). Taoism teaches that humans should live in harmony with nature. Animals, plants, humans, and all other living things in the universe should be living in harmony with each other. One of Taoism’s renowned teachings is the yin and yang. The yin and yang are "an ancient symbol of harmony and balance, challenges the conventional association of light with good and darkness with evil." (Balancing Act: How Yin Yang Promotes Harmony and Balance) Yin and yang show the balancing forces of polar opposites. The function of yin and yang shows that everything in the world needs balance and should be connected, or nothing would make sense

Show More
Related

  • • Explain How His Wing Analogy Applies To Maturation Within The Five Constant Relations

    505 Words  | 3 Pages

    Taoism (a.k.a., Daoism) focuses on living harmoniously; this is where the concept of yin and yang originates. Smith believes each of the enduring world religions contains universal principles that transcend time and culture both Confucianism and Taoism can be combined into each other. 2) Explain how his wing analogy applies to maturation within the five constant relations. What are the 5 constant relations?

    Read More

  • Symbolism In Night By Elie Wiesel

    844 Words  | 4 Pages

    The infamous Yin and Yang symbol, a balance between good and evil. There isn’t one without the other. Balance is the way it’s intended, for everything to be equal. However this is simply not accurate, nothing is perfect, the balance can tip towards any side. For some there is more light than there is darkness.

    Read More

  • Lao-Tzu: Warring States Period Of 476-221 BC China

    2334 Words  | 10 Pages

    The Tao Te Ching is said to have been a political text as it criticized the government and leaders during the Warring States period. It also serves as a guide for leaders to follow. It says that leaders should not be obtrusive and forceful; they should respect, trust, and work with the people, keeping their best interest in mind. It also advocates for peace instead of war and violence. Knowing this background information can help the reader to better understand some of the reasons why the Tao Te Ching was written and who its intended audience was.

    Read More

  • Winnie The Pooh Sparknotes

    1458 Words  | 6 Pages

    For example, Hoff compares Winnie-the-Pooh to the concept of wu-wei, standing for effortless action and living in harmony due to his simple and unproblematic nature. Hoff continues to symbolize more characters and their behaviors throughout the book. In the second part, Hoff dives further into the principles of Taoism and how they affect our everyday lives. He explains how finding balance and tranquility is significant to let go of the desire to be controlling. In short, the idea of Taoism is to live in a state of contentment and harmony with the universe and the energy it

    Read More

  • Daodejing Analysis

    501 Words  | 3 Pages

    The passage writes that opposite existences unite to create a necessary whole, and therefore, cannot be separated. We should not call one good and the other bad because they cannot exist without one another. We may like one aspect more than the other, but we have to keep in mind that we can only do so when the other exists as a comparison. Without ugliness, how do we know what’s beautiful? Laozi is teaching us to look at things from a different perspective and appreciate the balance of yin and yang.

    Read More

  • Journey To The West: Spiritual Vs. Secular Relationships

    639 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout Journey to the West, many characters are introduced. The main character, The Monkey King, also known as Su Wukong was born out of a stone. The Monkey King’s entire journey is based on him reaching self-enlightenment and immortality. Wukong can be both spiritual and secular.

    Read More

  • The Daodejing: The Laozi

    996 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Daodejing, sometimes referred to simply as the Laozi after its author, is a classic Chinese text, fundamental for the study and practice of Daoism (Taoism). Daoism is heavily based on the concept of Yin Yang, a symbol which represents the two basic principles which govern the entire universe, i.e., the Yin and the Yang. The Yin and the Yang do not hold fixed definitions, but instead they are described as complete opposites which continuously transform into each other in order to keep the world in perfect equilibrium. Laozi explains this concept of absolute balance as he writes, “If you would shrink it,/You must first cause it to be expanded;/If you would weaken it,/You must first cause it to be strengthened... This is called the subtly illumined./The

    Read More

  • Dispersion Theory Of LIT-229 World Mythology

    893 Words  | 4 Pages

    Anthony Pellegrino Professor Schoolcraft LIT-229 World Mythology 30 July 2023 Milestone Three There are many theories on how myths spread and preserve their cultural significance throughout generations, two examples of these theories are dispersion theory and the theory of collective unconscious. Dispersion theory is a belief that some of the original themes and archetypes of myths were made by one culture an incredibly long time ago and was spread as the culture emigrated throughout generations. Collective unconscious is a theory that states there is a segment of the unconscious mind within all humanity that shares ancestral memories and experiences. Both theories can be applied to give us a further understanding of myths. Dispersion

    Read More

  • How Does Daoist Influence Chinese Art?

    161 Words  | 1 Pages

    The elements of yin-yang principle can be found in Chinese garden design, for instance. Instead of the typical Western tendency

    Read More

  • Tao Of Pooh By Benjamin Hoff

    721 Words  | 3 Pages

    The concept of yin and yang is often described as two opposite yet complementary forces seen in everything represented by the characters of Eeyore and Tigger. Eeyore is the dark, passive, introspection of the yin. Eeyore is depressed and feels disconnected from the world around him, upset with his own thoughts and feelings a lot like a rabbit with his anxiety. Tigger, on the other hand, is a light, active, extrovert. Representing the yang, he is always bouncing off the walls and getting into trouble being seen as overly energetic.

    Read More

  • Daoism And Legalism Dbq Research Paper

    713 Words  | 3 Pages

    Yin is supposed to be cold dark and mysterious while Yang is supposed to be warm and bright. The quote “shoulder Yin and embrace Yang” means that evan though there is both good and bad, you can choose to block out the bad and embrace the good. No changes must be made to the world around you that might even the slightest bit effect and change the possible future. The behavior people must follow is to act in harmony and be humble, quiet, and thoughtful. “And the one who has the way does not abide in them” (document 7).

    Read More

  • Snow Flower And Lily Dialectical Journal

    612 Words  | 3 Pages

    This is also true in our lives. It is common to think we have the ability to avoid the bad situations in life, but we are wrong. We have no control over the balance of life. The yin yang symbol is also a metaphor for the two laotongs. Snow Flower and Lily keep one another balanced.

    Read More

  • Daoism And Confucianism Similarities

    775 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Karen Armstrong A Short History Of Myth Analysis

    843 Words  | 4 Pages

    The cruelty of the world can seem too much to bear, however, myths helps us face our morality by providing a sense of control, hope and

    Read More

  • Religion In Classical China Essay

    844 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

More about Sun Wukong And Moral Behavior In Ancient China

Open Document