DAOISM rulers of Zhōu asserted that the right to rule was

based on the will of Shangd [Hànyů "Highest

(Group – 3)
Emperor"), regarded as the patron ancestor of the
REPORTERS: Shang but now, the supreme god. Regarded as
delighting more in virtue than in ritual sacrifices
Abdul Karim, Omaida and one who rewarded the good and punished
Balanay, Ryan Jay P. evildoers [especially rulers], Shàngdi had caused the
fall of the Shāng dynasty because of their
Demol, Daniel Rey
immorality. As a consequence, the emperors of
Letijio, Jhon Marz P. China ruled with a concern for personal morality
and good government.
Naveses, Alliah Mae H.
Between the eight and third centuries
B.C.E., the feudal system in China deteriorated, as
What does dao mean? rulers failed to protect their vassals from invaders.
As a result, warlords who could command respect
- The term dao predates the rise of Daoism and is
and provide protection gained power. From this
used in all schools of Chinese philosophy, including
chaotic period emerged the great Chinese
Confucianism. Its literal meanings include “way,”
philosophy-religions of Daoism and Confucianism.
“path,” “road,” “course,” “speech,” and “method,”
It is no surprise then that the attainment and
among others.
preservation of harmony become their primary
ORIGINS OF DAOISM preoccupation.
THE BEGINNINGS: These two Chinese traditions share the following
characteristic assumptions in common:
The earliest religion of the people of China
appears to be animist (the belief that objects, places, 1. Each and every nonhuman being in the
and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual universe shares a degree of sentience with
essence.) and polytheist, (someone who believes in humanity; consequently, all beings are one,
many gods: She is a polytheist, meaning she honors without radical distinctions.
all gods and goddesses) with many spirits 2. Each being in the universe has its
controlling the universe. In this older and more predetermined proper place and pattern of
popular view of sacred power, the earth and sky are behavior.
populated by personal spirits and thus, all things 3. When all beings behave according to their
have particular spirits or souls attached to them. proper place in the universe, the result is
And so, like human beings, all other beings have well-being and harmony.
feelings and motivations and therefore, must be 4. Human beings are uniquely responsible for
treated with respect and care. upholding this harmony when it is already
present in the universe, or for reestablishing
During the seasons of spring and autumn,
it when absent due to ignorance or
the Chinese emperors of antiquity, along with lesser
willfulness.
rulers and common people, would render elaborate
5. Humanity will survive only if harmony in
and expensive sacrifices to the deities of earth and
the universe is preserved.
sky to ensure the fertility of the earth and plentiful
harvests. (In some human sacrifices the victim
represented a deity who “in the beginning” allowed
himself to be killed so that from his body edible
vegetation might grow.)
There were also local deities and spirits.
The beneficial spirits [shén], found in bright,
lighted places, were associated with the sun and
spring, while the evil spirits [gui] abounded in dark,
gloomy places. The Chinese folk would perform
ritual sacrifices to gain the favor of the shén and to
appease and be protected from the gui.
In the eleventh century B.C.E., the tribes of
Zhou rebelled against their Shang overlords. After
the successful overthrow of the Shäng dynasty, the
 The roots of Daoism are lost in the mists of later, Li Bóyáng or Lĭ Dân, but his disciples referred
Chinese antiquity and very little is known of its to him as Lǎozi, the "Old Master/Lord" or more
founder. It takes its name from the book Dàodėjìng fondly the "Old Boy." All legends consistently
or Tao Te Ching [Hànyǔ "Classic of the Way of place him in the ancient Chinese capital city of
Virtue"), a work attributed to the Chinese Luoyang. Lǎozi was an archivist for the imperial
philosopher-poet called Lǎozi [Hànyǔ "Old court during the latter half of the sixth century
Master"]. Like Confucianism, the origins and B.C.E. Becoming increasingly dissatisfied by the
development of Daoism are inextricably interwoven corruption he witnessed in human beings, he
into the history and culture of China. Comprising a decided to leave China through its western border,
philosophy of nature and even a system of magical near present- day Tibet. Upon reaching the border
practices, Daoism cannot be clearly delineated as a riding a water buffalo, Lǎozi encounters a
religion, like Christianity or Islam, with an contemplative guard named Yin Xi, who persuaded
organized set of doctrines and rituals. However, by him to write down and leave behind his most
the early centuries of the Common Era, it had important teachings about life before departing
become a religion with deities, priests, temples, and China. As a result, Lǎozī purportedly wrote the text
rituals. that would one day serve as Daoism's foundation,
the Dàodéjîng.
A few who were dissatisfied with
government and society found meaning in the
writings of Lǎozi and his disciple Zhuang Zhou, and
adhered to Daoism as a pure philosophy called
Dàojiā. But this form of Daoism never had mass SACRED TEXTS
appeal. A more popular religious variety of Daoism,
known as Dàojiào, was practiced by those who Daodejing is the most influential piece of Chinese
sought an endless extension of the present life literature. Its main declaration is that all human
through various means, like special diets, fasting, achive- ments are foolishness, it consists of slighty
breath control, and alchemy. However, the Chinese more than five thousand words contained in 81
upper classes and intellectuals tended to look with chapters and usually translated in poetic form.
condescension on the practice of Dàojiào. • It focuses on the harmony of opposites osites
By the fourth century C.E., Mahayana within the peaceful plow of Dao. It also adds the
Buddhism had become prevalent in China, initially concept of individual's relationship to nature and
coexisting peacefully with Daoism. However, fierce socity, insisting that it is best to let things take their
struggles to gain influence with various rulers and natural course.
control in the provinces of China arose between Zhuangzi or Chuang-tzu is named after its
Daoists and Buddhists, leading to mutual hostility supposed author, the Daoist philosopher poet
and even persecution. In the ninth century C.E., Zhuang Zhou who unlike most philosophers,
instigated by Daoist priests, Táng emperor Wuzong promoted carefree wandering and unity with the
(814-846 C.E.) persecuted Buddhists and adherents Dao by following nature.
of other nonnative religions to eliminate foreign
influences. Zhuangzi is an anthology of often humorous or
even irreverent accounts, epitomizing the carefree
This conflict between Daoists and Buddhists Daoist Sage.
was later settled through syncretism, with each
religion borrowing from the other-as well as from CREED
Confucianism-to become the common religion of THE DAO
the Chinese people. Daoism adopted Mahayana
Buddhist teaching concerning the afterlife, with For the ancient philosophers of China, the universe
heavens, hells, and judgment. Like Buddhism, it operated as a balance between the YANG and the
also embraced monasticism, with their priests living YIN.
in monasteries, and occasionally enforcing celibacy,  Yang is the positive force in nature
and also establishing nunneries for Daoist women manifested in light, warmth, dryness, and
who wanted to live as celibates. maleness.
The sixth century B.C.E. sage Lãozî (or  Yin is seen in darkness, cold, dampness, and
Lao-tzu) has traditionally been considered the Femaleness
founder of Daoism. Very little is known of him and
■ Whene these two forces worked in harmony, life
most of the information concerning him come from
becomes what it should be. Intrinsically related to
legends. His original name may have been Li Er and
the concepts YANG and YIN is a mysterious and
indefinable Force called the DAO, which is a
harmonious union of this opposites. 1. Do not kill but always be mindful of the host
of living beings.
■ The Dao, the ultimate sorce of all being, is the
2. Do not be lascivious or think depraved
impersonal force that governs the universe's unity. It
thoughts.
is often compared to a relentlessly Flowing body of
3. Do not steal or receive unrighteous wealth.
water, making it Futile to resist it.
4. Do not cheat or misrepresent good and evil.
■The Dao, influences observable changes and is a 5. Do not get intoxicated but always think of
spiritual power with physical effects. Living in pure conduct.
harmony with the Dao brings about change. 6. I will maintain harmony with my ancestors
and family and never disregard my kin.
■Disregarding the Dao leads to suffering and 7. When I see someone do a good deed, I will
misery. support him with joy and delight.
■Aligning ones purposes with the Dao 'can lead to 8. When I see someone unfortunate, I will
the highest possible achievement. Harmony with support him with dignity to recover good
oneself, among individuals, and between humans fortune.
and the natural world can be achieved through 9. When someone comes to do me harm, I will
physical exercises, meditation, and a triple simple not harbor thoughts of revenge.
lifestyle. 10. As long as all beings have not attained the
Tao, I will not expect to do so myself.
Daoism emphasizes the importance of living simple
and quiet, focusing on the pleasure of being alive
and not striving for human achievement. It
 A Taoist is kind to other individuals, in part
discourages the pursuit of wealth, power, and
because such an action tends to be
popularity, and encourages a focus on enjoying life,
reciprocated.
focusing on old age and wisdom.
 Taoist propriety and ethics emphasize the
They reject artificial interventions like education Three Jewels of the Tao: compassion,
and government, arguing that humans are best when moderation, and humility
they remain as they were born.
Basic Principles
By being in harmony with the the Dao, humans can
 Selflessness – redefinition of "self" or "ego"
achieve more than those who assert themselves as
soft and an yielding.  Moderation – maximum freedom is
experienced when one is in the middle
between the upper bound and lower bound
limitations, in other words, moderation.
Another principle is the law of reversion, where
(Taoist ethic of freedom through
pure yang and pure yin ultimately reverse,
moderation.)
indicating the dynamic nature of the Dao.
 Embracing the Mystery – Taoists still
CODE retain their basic innate fear. Mystery is
what makes life fun.
Taoists generally follow a sort of Golden Rule, but
the principal Taoist ethic is called Wu-wei, or no-  Non-contrivance – Tao Te Ching warns
action, meaning to seek equilibrium and follow the against contrived, or consciously
natural order. manipulated morality.
CULT
 Implies action that is spontaneous, natural,
and effortless The early adherents of Dàojiä or philosophical
 This behavior simply flows through us Daoism, being more concerned about the quality of
because it is the right action, appropriate to everyday life, showed little or no interest in deities
its time and place, and serving the purpose or the afterlife and seem to have had no rituals for
of greater harmony and balance. worship. Except for sectarian Daoism, rituals are
not needed. However, charms, formulas, and
The Ten Precepts of Taoism
psychoactive substances continue to be part of folk
 Classical rules for the Taoist seeking to Daoism. Many Daoists also find the symbol of the
attain the rank of 'Disciple of Pure Faith' Dào, the yîn-yáng, helpful.
 More concerned with ethical behavior of the COMMUNITY
individual, than with the individual's attitude
toward their gods
Daoism, an ancient religious worldview, combines
teachings from erudite sages with legends, secret
societies, magic, alchemy, psychology, and rural
superstitions. Many people resort to superstitious
practices, such as tonics and charms, for longevity
and better quality of life. The highest form of Daoist
virtue, wú wéi, involves withdrawing from society
to become hermits, but can be misinterpreted as
laziness. Western environmentalists often cite
Daoist principles, arguing that humans must live in
harmony with nature, rather than controlling it.
However, environmental concerns in China have
often been neglected, leading to Daoist temples and
monasteries actively participating in the
environmentalist movement.