Daoism And Confucianism On Tai Chi Philosophy
Nazarbayev University
Title: The Effect of Daoism and Confucianism on Tai Chi Philosophy
REL 213 Chinese Religious Traditions
12.4.2014
Zhanna Kurmangaziyeva Chinese religions are very diverse implementing their philosophy to people’s lives. Religious influence is evident from studying Chinese leisure and activities, such as Tai Chi Chuan. Tai Chi Chuan is a type of martial arts which popularity has increased last few decades. Slow movements and meditative philosophy are main characteristic features of the Tai Chi exercises. The idea of performing Tai Chi is to attain balance of the “internal” elements, of the inner and outer world, and most importantly, balance between mind and body. Chinese rich cultural and religious background affected …show more content…
Similarly, another translation of the qi is internal energy, term used in the meditative part of Daoism. The main reason of performing Tai Chi is to circulate energy to be healthy, as distortion of circulation will result in various illnesses. In Daoism, the qi concept is used to describe inner alchemy process used to achieve immortality. Chinese philosopher and Daoist representative Zhuangzi wrote that Tai Chi Chuan was used to prevent ending of the qi and to learn ways to concentrate it. The reason behind the meditation practices is to control energy flow and effective consumption of the qi and to prolong practitioner’s life.
Confucian teachings have also another explanation of the qi concept. Tai Chi is tightly associated with meditative practices making link between Tai Chi and Confucianism unnoticeable. Confucianism generally thought in terms of rites and filial piety which have nothing to do with spiritual development provided by Tai Chi. However, there is a reference to Book of Changes in Neo-Confucian teachings where the qi is described as a material force. Modern Tai Chi teaches that the qi resides in unconscious realm and can be released during meditation to …show more content…
Divergence begins with the goal setting, such as Daoist ultimate goal is to achieve Dao and immorality while Confucian goal is to be in harmony with nature and act with benevolence. Consequently, identical terms from two religious teaching have different meanings resulting in different ways to achieve goal. “Enlightenment” term is an example of common misinterpretation. Confucian explanation of enlightenment is to be educated, while Daoist is to become spiritually connected to cosmic ideology of Dao. Combination of Confucianism and Daoism affected the goal of Tai Chi Chuan which is to achieve spiritual enlightenment through education of movements that will make internal body
Title: The Effect of Daoism and Confucianism on Tai Chi Philosophy
REL 213 Chinese Religious Traditions
12.4.2014
Zhanna Kurmangaziyeva Chinese religions are very diverse implementing their philosophy to people’s lives. Religious influence is evident from studying Chinese leisure and activities, such as Tai Chi Chuan. Tai Chi Chuan is a type of martial arts which popularity has increased last few decades. Slow movements and meditative philosophy are main characteristic features of the Tai Chi exercises. The idea of performing Tai Chi is to attain balance of the “internal” elements, of the inner and outer world, and most importantly, balance between mind and body. Chinese rich cultural and religious background affected …show more content…
Similarly, another translation of the qi is internal energy, term used in the meditative part of Daoism. The main reason of performing Tai Chi is to circulate energy to be healthy, as distortion of circulation will result in various illnesses. In Daoism, the qi concept is used to describe inner alchemy process used to achieve immortality. Chinese philosopher and Daoist representative Zhuangzi wrote that Tai Chi Chuan was used to prevent ending of the qi and to learn ways to concentrate it. The reason behind the meditation practices is to control energy flow and effective consumption of the qi and to prolong practitioner’s life.
Confucian teachings have also another explanation of the qi concept. Tai Chi is tightly associated with meditative practices making link between Tai Chi and Confucianism unnoticeable. Confucianism generally thought in terms of rites and filial piety which have nothing to do with spiritual development provided by Tai Chi. However, there is a reference to Book of Changes in Neo-Confucian teachings where the qi is described as a material force. Modern Tai Chi teaches that the qi resides in unconscious realm and can be released during meditation to …show more content…
Divergence begins with the goal setting, such as Daoist ultimate goal is to achieve Dao and immorality while Confucian goal is to be in harmony with nature and act with benevolence. Consequently, identical terms from two religious teaching have different meanings resulting in different ways to achieve goal. “Enlightenment” term is an example of common misinterpretation. Confucian explanation of enlightenment is to be educated, while Daoist is to become spiritually connected to cosmic ideology of Dao. Combination of Confucianism and Daoism affected the goal of Tai Chi Chuan which is to achieve spiritual enlightenment through education of movements that will make internal body