Daoism Flashcards

Module 9

1
Q

Shang dynasty

A

1600 - 1122 BCE (Before Axis Age)
- time of Chinese writing development
- Oracle bones, human sacrifices
- Bronze metallurgy
- concepts of Chinese folk religions like Dao, qi, yin and yang

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2
Q

Zhou dynasty

A

1122 - 221 BCE (time of Axis Age)
- Confucius and Lao-Tze (Laozi)
- beginning of Taoism and Confucianism

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3
Q

Shang Dynasty Folk Religion, Traditions

A
  • Veneration of ancestors (idolization, reverence, exalted)
  • Sacred rituals called li
  • Notions of Dao, qi, yin, and yang
  • Belief in Shang Di
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4
Q

Han dynasty

A

roughly 1st c. CE for this class
- Time when Buddhism enters China
- Laozi and Confucius are deified
- Confucian curriculum adopted

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5
Q

Shang Di

A

Deity and ruler of the universe to the Shang dynasty.
Not a Creator-God but he was the supreme ancestor of the Chinese and the ruling Shang family.
Later identified with the Jade Emperor.

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6
Q

Early forms of writing in China (oracle bones)

A

Early writings found on strips of bamboo, silk, and oracle bones.
- Language included pictographs/logographs, no phonetic or alphabetic component
- Writing system became established under the Shang dynasty through official documents and Oracle bones
- As the writing system spread across China people invented new characters to represent words that weren’t included yet (like the mulberry bush)

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7
Q

What does Lao-Tze mean?

A

“old baby” in Chinese

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8
Q

What is De?

A

Virtue

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9
Q

Mandate of Heaven

A

T’ien ming/Tianming
- an idea articulated by the Zhou dynasty to justify its rebellion against the Shang dynasty, “more impersonal designation for concept of heavenly power”
- Basically an explanation of why their rulers were chosen by the heavens to keep people from questioning it.

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10
Q

What is Dao?

A

“The Way”
- mysterious source and ordering principle of the universe
- zero (pure potential)
- source of all things

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11
Q

What is Qi?

A
  • Primordial energy
  • the breath of life
  • formed by the Dao
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12
Q

What is yin?

A
  • Feminine
  • dark
  • inactive
  • cold
  • night
  • moon
  • cautious
  • internal energy
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13
Q

What is yang?

A
  • Masculine
  • bright
  • active
  • hot
  • day
  • sun
  • dominating
  • external energy
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14
Q

Wu Wei in Philosophical Daoism

A
  • Non action
  • non purposiveness
  • having no ambitions or desire for fame and power
  • leading a contemplative life
  • loving nature
  • going with the flow
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15
Q

Wu Wei in Politics and Government

A
  • Non Interference
  • the ruler plays a passive role
  • is hardly noticed
  • takes the feelings and opinions of his people as his own
  • receptive and open-minded
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16
Q

What is Daodejing?

A

Daoist book, meaning “The Classic of the Way and its Power” originally conceived as a political manual, said to be authored by Lao-Tze

17
Q

Response to Buddhism in China or Buddhism’s influence on Daoism

A

Buddhism entered China in 1st c. CE and led to: - production of Daoist sacred books
- interest in the idea of temples and monasteries
- Opening of Daoist temples
- groups of ascetics forming

18
Q

Religious Daoism during Han dynasty

A

Confucianism prevailed in administration, Laozi and Confucius were first considered deities at this time.

19
Q

The Way of the Celestial Masters

A

Daoist Secret Society, Founder: Zhang Daoling (healer), - still exists in Taiwan

20
Q

Afterlife in Daoism

A

Spiritual immortality, where the spirit of the body joins the universe after death. Before reaching immortality, people are reborn and constantly changing until they eventually rejoin the Dao (from which all things came from.

21
Q

The body in Daoism

A

The human body is a microcosm of the whole world (a miniature representation)

22
Q

Legalism

A

human beings are basically selfish and materialistic. Clearly defined laws must be enforced to maintain order. Power comes from military might. children are raised to be loyal to the state/

23
Q

Three Schools of Philosophy in China

A
  • Legalist
  • Confucian
  • Daoist