REL 133 week 4 Daoism Worksheet
Daoism Worksheet
Carrie "Shellie" Cobbs
World Religious Traditions I
REL 133
Robert Mossman
July 20, 2014
Daoism Worksheet
University of Phoenix Material
Daoism Worksheet
Complete the following questions in detail. Answer each question with a 1- or 2-paragraph response that includes a reference citation. Make use of Experiencing the World’s Religions and other sources in your research as you complete the questions.
1. Describe the principles of yang and yin.
As stated by the Shen-nong website, “Ancient people were greatly interested in the relationships and patterns that occurred in nature. Instead of studying isolated things, the viewed the world as a harmonious and holistic entity” ("Yin yang," 2005, p. 1). Yin and yang are best described as complementary ways for explaining relationships between objects. Yin is referred to as dark, cold, lower, rest, inward, and female. Yang is referred to as bright, hot, upper, movement, outward, and male. These two complementary forces helped the ancient people explain and understand nature, energy, and the human body.
2. The main scripture in Daoism is the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching). What is the history and importance of this text for the tradition?
The title of this book can be translated as Dao/Tao meaning ‘way’, De/Te meaning ‘virtue’, and Jing/Ching meaning ‘great book’. All of these put together can translate into ‘The Great Book on the Way of Virtue’.
The history of the Tao Te Ching has been the subject of many scholarly debates. There are three stories about the person who wrote the Tao Te Ching. First is that Laozi was an official in the imperial archives and a contemporary of Confucius. Secondly is that Lao Laizi, also a contemporary of Confucius, wrote the book in 15 parts. Thirdly is that Laozi was actually a Grand Historian and astrologer Lao Dan. According to James David Lees, “Legends claim variously that Laozi was ‘born old’ and that he lived for 996 years, with twelve previous
Carrie "Shellie" Cobbs
World Religious Traditions I
REL 133
Robert Mossman
July 20, 2014
Daoism Worksheet
University of Phoenix Material
Daoism Worksheet
Complete the following questions in detail. Answer each question with a 1- or 2-paragraph response that includes a reference citation. Make use of Experiencing the World’s Religions and other sources in your research as you complete the questions.
1. Describe the principles of yang and yin.
As stated by the Shen-nong website, “Ancient people were greatly interested in the relationships and patterns that occurred in nature. Instead of studying isolated things, the viewed the world as a harmonious and holistic entity” ("Yin yang," 2005, p. 1). Yin and yang are best described as complementary ways for explaining relationships between objects. Yin is referred to as dark, cold, lower, rest, inward, and female. Yang is referred to as bright, hot, upper, movement, outward, and male. These two complementary forces helped the ancient people explain and understand nature, energy, and the human body.
2. The main scripture in Daoism is the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching). What is the history and importance of this text for the tradition?
The title of this book can be translated as Dao/Tao meaning ‘way’, De/Te meaning ‘virtue’, and Jing/Ching meaning ‘great book’. All of these put together can translate into ‘The Great Book on the Way of Virtue’.
The history of the Tao Te Ching has been the subject of many scholarly debates. There are three stories about the person who wrote the Tao Te Ching. First is that Laozi was an official in the imperial archives and a contemporary of Confucius. Secondly is that Lao Laizi, also a contemporary of Confucius, wrote the book in 15 parts. Thirdly is that Laozi was actually a Grand Historian and astrologer Lao Dan. According to James David Lees, “Legends claim variously that Laozi was ‘born old’ and that he lived for 996 years, with twelve previous
References: Ageless Wisdom for a Modern World. (2014). Retrieved from http://taoistsanctuary.org/ageless-wisdom-for-a-modern-world/ Lees, D. J. (2014). The Tao Te Ching - An Overview. Retrieved from http://davidjameslees.wordpress.com/taoist-philosophy/tao-te-ching/ Taoist Philosophy. (2014). Retrieved from http://people.howstuffworks.com/taoist-philosophy5.htm What is yin yang theory? (2005). Retrieved from http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/whatyinyang.html Wuwei or Non-Doing The Tao of Letting Go. (2012). Retrieved from http://tao-in-you.com/wuwei.html