Daoism

Daoism

Daoism makes naturalness and conceptual play central to the transformation of self that is crucial to human living. This is a concept that I am a proponent to due to the various effects and influence that Daoism (previously called Taoism) has had on me. In this paper, I will argue towards the importance of Daoism to human living as it is central to the transformation of self. The criticism against Daoism will also be discussed on this essay.

United States has recently embraced philosophy from the eastern world. Daoism is one of the most important and appreciated philosophies by the Americans. Feng-shui is also equally considered an interest, which is the balancing of energy by organizing ones living space in a given way. It can be termed as a new culture in young people. It enables them change their ways of life by setting their homes, standards and values in different versions or classes.

It’s usually a common thing to notice many western people in parks use the Chinese art to try and balance their energy. Many Americans are familiar with the symbol of yin and yang. Some time back, it was used by Ocean Pacific (PO) as their icon or symbol. I learned later while still an adolescent what its source was and intended meaning. Its origin can be traced back to the ancient Chinese people who lived in china with its religious philosophy being derived from Taoism (Fowler 35).

Most people do not have even the slightest clue pertaining to the origin of Taoism but are aware of the elements it advocates and what it tends to communicate to the people. This symbol of Yin and Yang is often virtually viewed to contain everything. Its contents are the reality in the current world.  The main theme Taoism philosophy focuses on is reality. In the Chinese language, it can be referred to by the name Tai Chi Disk. Tao’s source can be defined as the way of the universe, nature and balance (Fowler 35). This is the reality that neither written and spoken language nor thought can understand. The main purpose of life is to adapt human lives to the way of the universe. A state of being is by being itself (Cooper and Joseph 62). To critically understand the basics of Taoism, we first have to look at its foundations through analyzing its foundations and its principles.

In china, Taoism is one of the most crucial strains in the minds of the Chinese people. Unlike Christian and Islam traditions, Taoism by itself has no single origin. Its sources can be traced back to the philosophers of Civil War Period whose interest was on the Tao or way of nature rather than the Tao of society. Another likely source of Taoism is the Shamans and magicians. The two groups of people played very important roles to the lives of Chinese people during the Shang Dynasty (Hubbard 25).

The creation of Taoism can be associated with two main philosophers. First is Lao Tzu, who is estimated to have been in existence between the sixth and third century BCE. He is the creator and founder of the foundation of the Taoist philosophy. Sources from the legends indicate that Lao Tzu was mysteriously conceived by a shooting star. He lived all his life as a scholar at the Ying-Yang school of philosophy (Rosenthal). In his old age, which was after retirement, Lao Tzu wished to live a simple life out in the mountains. He was, however, forced by one of his guards to document his life’s wisdom. Within two days, he presented the guard with a short script titled The Tao Te Ching (Cooper and Joseph 62). In it, he observed that people should transform back to their original condition of nature with complete personal tranquility. Not much is known of his life including whether he contributed to the authorship of the book Tao TeChing. It’s also thought that he was not the sole writer of the book. Fellow teachers at Ying-Yang school assisted him. He is, however, given credit and acknowledgement for the authorship of the book Tao TeChing. Chuang Tzu, who lived between 369-286 BCE, is the other probable philosopher of Taoism. He authored a book with the same teachings to that of Lao Tzu. The book is, however, viewed as complicated in its outlook compared to TaoTeChing (Hubbard 24).

The third and equally important source of Taoism is Shamanism. With regard to shamans, it was written by many people who remain unknown to date. Shamans were designated religious people who gave varied services to the society. They were healers and destroyers of evil spirits. In other words, they were people associated with the spiritual world. Shamans constituted both men and women (Hubbard 24) Women were significantly better shamans. They performed exorcism rites at given times of the year when calamities like drought hit the society. The involvement of women in shamans was essential because the ideal society in Taoism observes issues to do with feminist and matriarchy. This was due to the fact that women formed the core of the larger Chinese community. Shamans made Taoism have more of a religious outlook than a philosophical one (Hubbard 26). All these foundation of Taoism have a sense of naturalism and simplicity in man’s daily life.

There is a slight variation between Laozi and Zhuangzi as described by Moeller. First, it is thought that Laozi came before Zhuangzi with his work Tao Te Ching. Laozi is also considered to be the father of Taoism (Moeller) and mostly the religious part based on the mystical nature of Laozi. Zhuangzi on the other hand is considered to be the person who advanced the philosophical Taoism. Laozi is respected in the religious nature of Taoism and ofeten refered to as Taishang Laojun which in simple terms means one of the three pure stones. The legends indicate that Laozi’s philosophy was quickly adopted by the people of his time and thus formed a religious organization with Laozi being regarded as a god. The works of  Laozi are in paradox, with numerous appropriation of ancient sayings mixed with repetition, rhyme and symmetry that give it a rythm thus can be read as an analogy. The philorophy is also marred with meditation, self awareness and myriad creatures. Laozi describes the Tao as the foundation of all existence which the core characteristics of being entirely humble while at the same time being unseen and omnipotent.

Zhuangzi on the other hand is known for his philosophical concepts of Taoism based on his detailed works (with 33 chapters) that also bear his name. The work was therapeutically sceptical with elements of western relativism (Van Norden 143) and promoted various aspects of Daoism as it is clearly illustrated by Bryan W. Van Norden in his book Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy. The philosophy emphasized that life is limited but the knowledge to be gained during a lifetime is not limited. as such, Zhuangzi found it foolish for one to use the limited in the persuit of the unlimited. the Zhuangzi philosophy talks of life and death (that life is good and death is bad) and concepts such as beauty which are relative. The people who lived after Laozi and Zhuangzi however put their works together and were able to bring up Taoism to be what it is today. However, there were slight variations as illustrated above on the philosophies. The similarity between the philosophies is what promoted the unification of the ideas into the philosophy and religion of Taoism. The critical aspect of the conformity of these philosophies to my thesis is the aspect of naturalness in the integration of self and the accomplishment of happiness in humanity.

Taoism can also be referred to as the nameless philosophy. Other themes it concentrates much on are; theme of intuition, theme of spontaneity, theme of simplicity and the way of nature. According to Taoism philosophy, the universe works in its own mysterious ways. In case a person tries to pressure the world with self-motives, harmony is distorted (Moeller).  In my life, the application of these principles brings about peace of mind, patience and the understanding of other people’s lives and principles. Naturalness helps in the human development as the self does not suffer strife through wanting more than enough. The simple life is adequate to everyone with not fights for resources or disputes among the people. Being one with the universe crates a sense of belonging and thus transformation of self.

There are various forms criticism that Taoism faces including the opinion that the philosophy does not promote the concept of an individual’s wants claiming that it is either a cause of the problem or the problem itself. Taoism philosophy, however, does not propose that what one wants or insist will cause or be the problem. Contrary to that, it tries to assert that one needs to consider the universe and place will in respect and the way that accommodates all. For ones’ aims to be achieved, one has to consider the wellbeing of others (Cooper and Joseph 62). The consideration of other while making important decision furthers the mission of happiness in my life. Taoism doctrine is The Way and its Power. This philosophy is thought to have been authored by Lao-Tzu is quickly getting global admiration and audience. The key concepts of Taoism include; the flowing power, living simply, winds and waters, cosmic energy and action–less action (Moeller). Integration of these concepts in my life has been greatly beneficial.

Taoism is very popular philosophy. The practice has over thirty million followers. The basic nature of Taoism is sharing peace and energy. Through this religion, people learn to live peaceful lives with harmony. People around the world continue to open their minds and embrace the religion as it brings peace.  United States has recently embraced philosophy from the eastern world. Taoism is one of the most important and appreciated philosophies by the Americans. It can be termed as a new culture in young people. It enables them change their ways of life by setting their homes, standards and values in different versions or classes.

However, most people who try to practice the concepts and principles of Taoism do not have even the slightest clue pertaining to its origin. The fact that they are aware of the elements it advocates and what it tends to communicate to the people makes them happy enough to practice it. Personally, I would propose that any follower of Taoism should dig dipper into the philosophy to be able to understand and put it into full practice. The moment and understand the question of how Taoism came to be what it is today, they will be able to understand why they are doing things the way they are. What one wants is promoted by the Taoism philosophy. The philosophy does not propose that what one wants or insist will cause or be the problem. Contrary to that, it tries to assert that one needs to consider the universe and place will in respect and the way that accommodates all. Once you put your wants in line with the universe, conformability and a happy life will come your way.

 

Works Cited

Cooper, J. C., and Joseph A. Fitzgerald. An illustrated introduction to Taoism: the wisdom of the sages. Bloomington, Ind.: World Wisdom, 2010. Print.

Fowler, Jeaneane D.. An introduction to the philosophy and religion of Taoism: pathways to immortality. Portland, Ore.: Sussex Academic Press, 2005. Print.

Hubbard, Benjamin Jerome, John T. Hatfield, and James A. Santucci. An educator’s classroom guide to America’s religious beliefs and practices. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited, 2007. Print.

Smith, Huston. The illustrated world’s religions: a guide to our wisdom traditions. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 1994. Print.

Moeller, Hans-Georg. Daoism Explained: From the Dream of the Butterfly to the Fishnet Allegory. Open Court Publishing Company, 2013.

Norden, Bryan W. Van. Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy. Hackett Publishing, 2011.

 

Last Completed Projects

Are you looking for a similar paper or any other quality academic essay? Then look no further. Our research paper writing service is what you require. Our team of experienced writers is on standby to deliver to you an original paper as per your specified instructions with zero plagiarism guaranteed. This is the perfect way you can prepare your own unique academic paper and score the grades you deserve.

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]