Dao De Dao De JingJingLao Tzu 6Lao Tzu 6thth-3-3rdrd

Century B.C.Century B.C.

(Laozi)(Laozi)

There are no assured details about There are no assured details about Lao Tzu’s life, which is shrouded Lao Tzu’s life, which is shrouded in legends and lore. It is not in legends and lore. It is not even certain if one man called even certain if one man called “Lao Tzu” lived and composed “Lao Tzu” lived and composed the collection of poems and the collection of poems and aphorisms known as the aphorisms known as the Dao Te Dao Te JingJing ( (Tao Te ChingTao Te Ching).).

DaoDaoMysticismMysticism: an intuitive, non-rational approach : an intuitive, non-rational approach

to reach a direct connection with a spiritual to reach a direct connection with a spiritual dimension or God.dimension or God.

Daoism began as a philosophical explanation of Daoism began as a philosophical explanation of how the universe works.how the universe works.

Reconciliation of Opposites: Yin and YangReconciliation of Opposites: Yin and Yang

DaoDaoThe Dao is impossible to define because of its The Dao is impossible to define because of its paradoxical nature.paradoxical nature.

In part, it is the cosmic order in all things, yet it is In part, it is the cosmic order in all things, yet it is utterly hidden and unknowable.utterly hidden and unknowable.

Anti-intellectual and anarchic:Anti-intellectual and anarchic:““Drop wisdom, abandon cleverness, and Drop wisdom, abandon cleverness, and

the the people will be benefited a thousand people will be benefited a thousand fold.”fold.”

It is sometimes called a “Path” or “Way” to It is sometimes called a “Path” or “Way” to Enlightenment.Enlightenment.

Sometimes a Force or Being (i.e. God)Sometimes a Force or Being (i.e. God)Sometimes, it’s NothingSometimes, it’s Nothing

Language is an unacceptable medium to discuss the Language is an unacceptable medium to discuss the dao. It can only be known mystically and in practice--dao. It can only be known mystically and in practice--not by reading a text. Knowledge through language is not by reading a text. Knowledge through language is constraining.constraining.

Confucianism/DaoismConfucianism/DaoismConfucian ThoughtConfucian Thought::

Interested in the political construction of China.Interested in the political construction of China.The observation of hierarchies--the community’s The observation of hierarchies--the community’s

needs needs over those of the individual.over those of the individual.The delineation of power.The delineation of power.Ren (Human Benevolence) is the goal.Ren (Human Benevolence) is the goal.

Daoist ThoughtDaoist Thought::No real aspirations for the political--except to No real aspirations for the political--except to

advise all to advise all to follow the dao.follow the dao.The individual in achieving inner harmony and The individual in achieving inner harmony and

peace--even peace--even to the neglect of social and to the neglect of social and political needs.political needs.

Lead an ascetic life governed by inaction--Lead an ascetic life governed by inaction--QuietismQuietism

Subjective Truth, Inaction, Individual. Subjective Truth, Inaction, Individual. ““Heaven and Earth are not humane” Heaven and Earth are not humane”

I never saw a moor--I never saw a moor--I never saw the sea--I never saw the sea--Yet know I how the heather looksYet know I how the heather looksAnd what a wave must be.And what a wave must be.

I never spoke with God--I never spoke with God--Nor visited in heaven--Nor visited in heaven--Yet certain am I of the spotYet certain am I of the spotAs if the chart were given.As if the chart were given.

Emily Dickinson 1830-Emily Dickinson 1830-18861886