The starting point in Daoism is recognition of our "natural" condition
- marked by a feeling of confusion/frustration between ideas, perceptions, rules, traditions, ect. or right and wrong, should and should not, good and bad.
- one solution is to blindly accept a particular way and doggedly stick to it
- doesn't work because against nature; results in sinners and law-breakers

Daoism is also marked by recognition that nature flows effortlessly along
- season do not struggle to change; the sun and moon do not struggle to rise/set
- animals and plants are not confused about how to grow and behave
- there is a principle/ process in operation which, though mysterious and subtle, is extremely powerful and at the source of everything
- this is the Dao (the mysterious way)
- if we let the mysterious power operate, all would probably be well
- much of our misfortune is based on resisting that operating principle
- our rational minds cannot fathom the mysterious process at work

STORY OF THE DAOIST FARMER AND HIS HORSES

- life is a process, at times mysterious and unpredictable, marked by change
- the Daoist ideal is not the scholar or the religious official, but the sage
- the sage seeks harmony with the mysterious ever-changing process
- meditation on nature; life closer to nature if the best teacher
- a Daoist mystical activity is not rigorous practice with builds rigidity
- it is activity that softens artificial/ arbitrary conceptual structures
- these restrict us, inhibiting our flexibility and adaptation

illustrative symbol: the oak tree vs. the oak/ bamboo
- the later yields with the slightest breeze, seemingly weak
- in the tempest, the oak is uprooted, while the willow/ bamboo survive
- which is truly strong? Firm yet yielding: the principle/nature of the Dao
- it is a mysterious blend of dual principles soft and hard: yin and yang
- heaven/ earth, even un-manifest mystery vs. manifest creation are qualities

Another classic symbol of the Dao and the Daoist sage is water
- water is colorless yet it reflects all color (symbol of non- egotism)
- it assumes the shape of any container (symbol of adaptability)
- in stillness or flow, it is immediately responsive to the total environment
- (symbol of calm equipoise, spontaneous and dynamic action)
- it can be sensed, but cannot be grasped
- (symbol that sage exerts a mysterious influence; not enslaved)
- it is the main construction of life. It nourishes all life without striving
- it seeks the lowest level (symbol of humility)
- it is the most gental thing, yet it overcomes the hardest ( soft strength)
DAOIST SAGE IN WATERFALL (GOING WITH THE FLOW)

Two important concepts in Daoism are wu-wei and ziran (tzu-jan)
- they embody the nature of the Daoist sage's actions
Wu-wei (non-action): "letting-go/ effortless action/ going with the flow"
-sage's "practice" is "allowing things to be"; action not premeditated/ forced
- it arises spontaneously in harmonious response to any situation
- this spontaneous action is called ziran (tzu jan)
De (virtue): when the heart/mind is empty/ clear/ receptive that it is most harmonious with the flow of Dao.
- then the sage abides in her own true nature [own true nature is called De (te)]
- it is the intrinsic quality, the virtue of something; it's powers, its "is-ness"
- classic analogy is the grain in wood (each unique); (wind-swept tree)
- the Daoist mater sage is one who is in complete harmony with the Dao
- whose nature/ power (De) is veritably that of the Dao (immortal)

such daoist ideas were taken literally with time
- blended with folk traditions of herbal medicine, ect.
- found expression in the martial arts
- and Chinese art forms (nature painting)

When Buddhism and Trantra entered China they naturally merged with Daoism
- Chan and Zen Buddhism have strong Daoist influences

	Created by michellemjredman over 4 years ago

Chinese and Japanese rel

Rel 1000 Note on Chinese and Japanese rel, created by michellemjredman on 09/12/2013.