Daoism (道) – means Dao “The Path”
• Founder is Lao Tzu
– His name means – “Old Master”
– Very respected by Confucius
• Served during the Zhou Dynasty
– Became disillusioned by luxurious
court life and traveled China
– Believed that striving for power
and wealth was unnatural for
humans
• Wrote Tao Te Ching – main text
of Daoism
– Explains the ideas of Yin and Yang
– Disappeared into the mountains
and was never seen again
Main Idea of Daoism
道可道，非常道。 (Tao (way or path) can be
said, not usual way)
"The Way that can be described is not the true
Way."
名可名，非常名。 (names can be named, not
usual names)
"The Name that can be named is not the constant
Name.“
• The Tao, or Way, has never been put down in
words; rather it is left for the seeker to discover
within. Lao-tzu himself wrote, "The Tao that
can be named is not the eternal Tao."
• Adherents of the faith are taught to see the Tao
everywhere, in all beings and in all things
Picture of Laozi riding a
water buffalo into the
mountains… never to
be seen again … or 
(depending on your
perspective)
Major Beliefs of Daoism
1. People should live in harmony with nature
– Balance between both universe and humanity
2. People should lead simple, quiet, and plain lives
– Reject material possessions and luxury
3. Non-action  no interfering in affairs of others
– Rejection of politics and political organizations
4. For every action there is a good and bad reaction
– Have to accept both the good and bad of others
•
Both exist everywhere equally and balance each other out
5. Reject all conflict in life  show love and
compassion
Yin and Yang
YIN
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Female
Dark
Weak
Passive
Earth
Confusion
Turmoil
Conservation
Water
This begins with Daoism, but it is
accepted/included in most Asian
cultures (including Confucianism)
YANG
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Male
Bright
Strong
Active
Heaven
Peace
Serenity
Destruction
Fire
Dao means “the path” and this guides us through the universe
On “the path” one must keep things in balance or they will not have harmony
Yin
Yang
Produces form
Produces energy
Grows
Generates
1.
2.
3.
Substantial
Non-substantial
Matter
Energy
Contraction
Expansion
Descending
Rising
Below
Above
Water
Fire
4.
Four Main Aspects of Yin and Yang
Relationship
Yin-Yang are opposites
Interdependent: Cannot exist
without each other
Mutual consumption of Yin and
Yang
Relative levels of Yin Yang are
continuously changing. Normally this
is a harmonious change, but when
Yin or Yang are out of balance they
affect each other, and too much of
one can eventually weaken
(consume) the other.
Inter-transformation of Yin and
Yang – changing from one to other
One can change into the other, but it
is not a random event, happening
only when the time is right.
• For example: Spring only comes
when winter is finished.