1. Aim: what is Taoism and to what extent has it had an impact on the world?

2. Taoism (The Way, The Path) Tao = the force, the energy “May the force be with you.”

3. Tao (pronounced "Dow") can be roughly translated into English as path, or the way. It is basically indefinable. It has to be experienced. It “refers to a power which envelops, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-living.” Definition Summarize!

4. So is it a religion? Sort of. Depends on the time period and how it was practiced.

5. Back to Taoism Taoism is living in harmony with nature; the universe. Taoism is all about getting the “balance right” between one’s self and the universe.

6. Taoist concepts, beliefs and practices: Tao is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life. "The Tao surrounds everyone and therefore everyone must listen to find enlightenment." Each believer's goal is to become one with the Tao. The priesthood views the many gods as manifestations of the one Tao, "which could not be represented as an image or a particular thing." Time is cyclical, not linear as in Western thinking. Each person must nurture the Ch'i (air, breath) that has been given to them. Do not copy

7. Yin Moon Night Dark Cool Rest Feminine North Winter Right Introversion Earth Even Yang Sun Day Light Warm Active Masculine South Summer Left Extroversion Heaven Odd

8. I Ching (Tao Te Ching) or “Book of Changes” – Lao Tsu Yield and overcome; Bend and be straight. -- Tao Te Ching (22) He who stands of tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain the pace. -- Tao Te Ching (24) What is firmly established cannot be uprooted. What is firmly grasped cannot slip away. -- Tao Te Ching (54) Stiff and unbending is the principle of death. Gentle and yielding is the principle of life. Thus an Army without flexibility never wins a battle. A tree that is unbending is easily broken. The hard and strong will fall. The soft and weak will overcome. -- Tao Te Ching (76)

9. Founder? The founder of Taoism is believed by many to be Lao-Tse (Lao Tzu) (604-531 BCE), a contemporary of Confucius.

10. He lived in?

11. Origins Taoism started as a combination of psychology and philosophy but evolved into a religious faith when in 440 BCE it was adopted as a state religion. The fact that Taoism was considered to be religion during the Zhou Dynasty indicates that Lao-Tse was considered to be a… prophet and or deity.

12. Mandate of Heaven What is the Mandate of Heaven? A traditional belief amongst the Chinese that “Heaven” gave a mandate to an individual or a family to rule over other human beings. They were supposed to do what was best for those they ruled. If “Heaven” withdrew its mandate it would send a sign for all humans to recognize such as a natural disaster.

13. How might the Mandate of Heaven be used for political purposes in ancient China? HINT

14. Mandate of Heaven Although older than formal Taoism, the source of the Mandate of Heaven and Taoism appears to be in much older Chinese animism and Chinese culture.