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INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND

BELIEF SYSTEMS
QUARTER 2 – MODULE 6
DAOIC RELIGION TAOISM/DAOISM

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INTRODUCTION (What I Need to Know)
In the previous lesson, Confucianism has taught us the importance of its core value on
nobility that is through following the moral virtues of love, righteousness, wisdom, propriety, and
loyalty to promote harmony in society.
This time, let us unravel how another religion called Daoism affects the life of its followers
and change how they perceive things.
Daoism functioned as a philosophy of abandonment and withdrawal from the rampant
warfare and social unrest which characterized the reign of the Zhou Dynasty- a period of
constant struggle for power, wealth, and prestige. Daoist struggled to fight for individual
autonomy during struggle of rulers and moralists to bring people to conform to social pattern to
achieved social harmony. The goal of Daoists was to conform to the great pattern of nature,
which is called Dao, or “The Way.” As philosophy, Daoism focuses on the great mysteries of the
Dao; as a religion, its goal is to achieve long life and ultimately, immorality. (Ong, Jose 2016)

(MELC)Most Essential Learning Competency

Analyze the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and related
issues of Taoism.

At the end of this module you should be able to:

a. trace the life of Lao Tzu and the beginning of Taoism;
b. explain the Concept and belief of Taoism;
c. determine the issues involving Taoist practices.

DISCUSSIONS AND ACTIVITIES (What is It)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF DAOISM/TAOISM
Laozi (Lao-tzu)
 Meaning “Old Master,” is believed to have authored the Dao De Jing (Tao te ching or The
Book of the Way and its Power), dating back to around third century B.C.E.
 According to myth, Laozi was conceived by a shooting star and was born of a virgin
mother, who kept him in her womb for 82 years; Laozi was said to be born with flowing
hair, which signified that he would become a wise man.
 He is considered as the first important Taoist who is believed to be a senior contemporary
of Kung Fuzi (some said he even became Kung Fuzi’s adviser) although there is much
debate on his date and identity.
 The Chinese historian Sima Qian wrote a biography of Laozi in the Historical Records
(Shih Chi) in the late 2nd century B.C.E. According to Sima Qian, Laozi’s family name was
Li, his given name was Erh, and he was also known as Tan. (Ong, Jose 2016)

 According to his biography, he worked as a government archivist but became frustrated

with government corruption, and sensing his unavoidable disgrace he left Chu and was
detained at Han-ku Pass by a gatekeeper named Yin Hsi, who requested him to write a
book for him before leaving. Laozi agreeably wrote two chapters about the Dao (Way) and
De (individual power), which came to be named Dao De Jing or Laozi. (Ong, Jose 2016)

Zuangzi (Chuang Tzu)

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  Believed to have lived from 369 to around 286 B.C.E. Sima Qian also wrote a biography of
Zhuangzi in the Historical Records. According to Sima Qian, his last name was Chuang,
his given name was Chou, and Tzu means “master,” thus Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi) means
“Master Chuang.”
 He was born in the town of Meng in a small state of Sung, near the border between
present-day Hunan and Shandong Province.
 He served as an officer-in-charge of a royal garden during the middle of the Warring
States period and was said to be invited by King Wei of Chu to become his chief minister,
which he declined.
 Zhuangzi is considered a great philosopher and a great writer, and he wrote a book,
together with his followers, which became known as Zhuangzi, and was believed to be
completed before the Han dynasty. (Fairbank and Reischauer 1989)

SACRED SCRIPTURES
Dao De Jing
 Daoism’s foundational text is the Tao te Ching or Dao De Jing, meaning “The Book of
the Way and its Power.”
 It is a mysterious collection of enigmatic remarks which many find hard to understand.
 The Dao De Jing has often been attributed to Laozi, but some believes that it was the
product of the collective effort among various group in China, since a closer analysis of
a scripture reveal that there is no integrated philosophy in the Dao De Jing instead it
was a collection of sayings and proverbs, lines from the popular songs, and clever
maxims coming from the various contributors with various concerns.
 The Book of the Way and its Power expounds on the meaning of Dao and its
accompanying concept of De-the power of virtue acquired by a person by means of
living in harmony with Dao.
Book of the Chuang Tzu/Zuangzi
 Another important scripture is the Zhuangzi, dating to the third century B.C.E and
attributed to a man named Zhuangzi, the second founder of Daoism.
 It consists of delightful parables, metaphors, and poetic passages, and is praised for its
high literary value which represents the most significant formulation of early Daoist
thought.
 The book is an anthology of essay that make use of parables and allegories, discusses
spiritual freedom which makes one surpass the limitation of one’s own mind, and not
merely the freedom from social norms and restrictions. (Ong, Jose 2016)

 According to the Book, the sage-through his exceptional wisdom-is liberated from life’s
ups and down and the world and death has overcome his sensibility.
 This gives equal importance to life and death and does not advocates longevity as
opposed to Confucianism. (Ong, Jose 2016)

CONCEPTS/BELIEFS
Daoism can be best understood by discussing the following concepts and belief.
1. The Dao

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  According to Laozi, the Dao, which is essential concept and creative principles of Daoism,
existed before the World.
 It is undetectable, indistinct, shapeless, and indefinable, it is the foundation of all being,
and the way in which nature and the universe exists. (Brown 1987)
 The Dao is distinct from God. It is not being for it is the origin of all beings, and its great
virtue in that it does everything but desire nothing.
 It is “emptiness”, which does not compete with other forces but is content with itself.
(Ching 1993)
2. Deity/God (Dao as the origin of all beings)
 Daoism does not have a God, for Daoist believe that the universe originated from the Dao,
which created and controls the universe and distantly guide things on their way.
 They worship deities, who are gods of a particular role, and they traditionally worship
Laozi not only as the first god of Daoism but also as the representation of the Dao.
 For the Daoist, the Dao possesses heavenly qualities, is mysterious, indescribable, lies
under the surface of sense perception, and unifies obvious opposites on a different level.
(Fairbank and Reischauer 1989)
3. The De
 The De, which means virtue or the proper adherence to Dao, is another basic concept of
Daoism.
 It encourages inaction in nature and advocates the quite and passive nature of a person
so that the Dao, or the creative principle in the universe, may act through them without
interference.
 Daoist believes that when a person becomes peaceful, that person acquires power to
overcome all things without having to compete with others. (Brown 1987)
4. Wu-Wei
 Which means “no behavior” or “doing nothing.”
 It also means “to do without doing” (wei-wu-wei) or “actionless activity.
 It is a concept used to negate or limit human action.
 Wu Wei may refers to certain stages such as nonbehavior or doing nothing; taking a little
action as possible; taking actions spontaneously; taking a passive attitude toward society;
waiting for spontaneous transformation things; and taking action according to objective
conditions and the nature of things or acting naturally. (Sharma 1993)

 It advocates a “go with the flow” attitude by cultivating a state of being wherein our
actions are in harmony with the natural cycles of the universe.
 Considered as the highest form of virtue emphasizes passivity, which may benefit less
fortunate or weak people for it will help them overcome their opponents and become
strong. (Sharma 1993)
5. Yin Yang (the balance of nature or universe)
The Yin and Yang is the most well-known Daoist
religious symbols. It is an image composed of a
circle divided into two swirling parts: one black
and other white. Within each swirling or teardrop
shaped half is a smaller circle of opposite color. (Hodge 2002)

 According to Daoist cosmology, the big circle signifies the Tao (Dao), the source of
existence. Meanwhile, the black and white teardrop-shaped halves signify the Yin-qi
and Yang-qi, known as the primordial feminine and masculine energies, respectively.
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/
Daoist believe that the interplay of the Yin-qi and Yang-qi created the manifest world.
162833342765689512/

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  The concept of Yin Yang was articulated by the Daoist philosopher Zhuangzi who stated
that “Yin in its highest form is freezing while yang in its highest form is boiling
 The chillness comes from heaven while the warmness comes from the earth.
 He stressed the need for balance and harmony which is achieved only when one is fully
grounded in the Dao. (Hodge 2002)
6. Qi/Chi
 Refers to the natural energy or life force that sustains living beings.
 Which literally means “air” or “vapor.” It is the fundamental substance of nature and
living beings, as well as life force.
 It refers to matter, which is continuous, energetic, and dynamic. It is sometimes
translated as “material force” or “vital force” (Sharma 1993).
 It is considered as the foundation of body and life. Daoists believe that everything is made
up of qi and will eventually return to qi.
 Qi is considered as the basic component of everything that exists, which gives form to life
and make things happen. (Kohn 2003)

WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES

 Ritual or liturgical expressions are important to the Daoist Religions
 These include ritual initiation meant for purification and renewal in the life cycle and
development of the human person.
 One form of ritual is exorcism, performed in cases of sickness with the goal of gaining
victory over the evil spirits.
 Incense is a central aspect, together with sacrificial offering of sacred writing such as
paper charms which contains the prayers of individuals, bearing their names and their
intentions which are burned as part of the ritual. (Ong, Jose 2016)
Mediative Practices
 Humility and non-competition are among the most important virtues in Daoism. These
virtues together with naturalness and naturalism, as well as non-aggression and passive
rule, manifest the fundamental virtue of wu-wei. (Brood World Religions: A Voyage of Discovery)
Moral Practices
 Physical and spiritual techniques are just an important as ethical or moral techniques
practices.
 Daoist put emphasis on ethical behavior by incorporating it into their practices.
 Daoist tend not to initiate action; instead, they wait for events to make action necessary,
avoiding letting their own desires and compulsion push them into doing things.
 Daoism just like other religions, disapprove of killing, stealing, lying, and promiscuity.
(Ching 1993)

SELECTED ISSUES

1. Fatalism
 Daoism has often been criticized for propagating laziness or espousing a fatalistic attitude
in life by letting nature take its course and reminding Daoist to just go with the flow. (Ong,
Jose 2016)

2. Superstition
 Daoism is the belief in superstitious practices.

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  The practice of ancestor worship has been an aspect of Chinese culture which found its
way in Daoism, like the Shinto practice among the Japanese, thus Daoist often find
themselves in temples, praying to their ancestors for guidance in their everyday lives.
 According to Daoist scriptures, the offering of three sticks of incense is important if one
wishes to convey a message to the deities, who in turn will shower them with blessings.

3. Urban Development
 Daoism has advocated a utopian vision of society characterized by order and harmony.
One should have a healthy relationship with nature, and it should begin with one’s own
body.
 China excessive movement toward urban development at present is seen as being
inconsistent with the Daoist belief in the importance of living in harmony with nature.
(Ong, Jose 2016)

ACTIVITY 1: ARRANGE ME!

Directions: Write in your answer sheet the correct word you will derive from the properly
arranged jumbled letters with its description given in each number.

INY ANGY 1. The most well-known Daoist Religious symbols.

2. The first important Taoist who is believed to be a senior

OLA–ZTU
contemporary of Kung Fuzi.

UW–EIW 3. Which means “no behavior” or “do nothing.”

OAD ED INJG 4. The book of the way and its power.

UANZGZI 5. The second founder of Daoism.

ACTIVITY 2: I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT YOU!

Directions: Look around in your house, what things can be found that you cannot live without
it. Considering the Daoist teaching that one should acquire only the things he/she needs to
survive. Write your self-reflection in your answer sheet.

THINGS SELF-REFLECTION
1.

2.

3.

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ACTIVITY 3: DRAW ME!
Directions: Create a poster depicting the significance of Taoism. You may have it done on a long
bond paper. Please be guided by the given rubrics.

RUBRIC FOR POSTER

CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS
Organization The concept was clearly and creatively conveyed. 5
Content The illustrations were appropriate to the theme. 5
Visual presentation The idea was clearly presented based on the
5
pictures and words used.
Total: 15

ASSESSMENT
I. Directions: Read and analyze the following statement. Write TRUE if the statement is correct
otherwise, change the underlined word by writing the correct word in your answer sheet.
1. The goal of Confucianism was to conform the great pattern of nature.
2. Daoism practice the superstitious beliefs.
3. According to Laozi, the Wu-Wei, which is essential concept and creative principles of Daoism,
existed before the World.
4. One of the Daoism observance is exorcism, which performed in cases of sickness with the goal
of gaining victory over the evil spirits.
5. Daoist put emphasis on ethical behavior by incorporating it into their practices.

II. Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer from Column B that best matches or
describes the given word/s in Column A.

Column A Column B

A. Old Master
1. Chi B. Virtue
2. Yin-Qi and Yang-Qi C. Balance of Nature
3. Laozi D. Freezing
4. Tao te Ching E. Way of Nature
5. Wu-Wei F. Boiling
6. Yin Yang G. Feminine and Masculine Energy
7. De H. Go with the flow
8. Dao I. The book of the way and its power
9. Yin J. Natural Energy
10. Yang

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III. Directions: Write a meaningful and well-thought explanation to answer the given question
below.

1.) Why does Daoism often misunderstood as a fatalistic and superstitious religion?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

RUBRICS FOR ESSAY

CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS

Organization The concept was clearly and creatively conveyed. 5

Content The content was clearly discussed. 5

Presentation The idea was clearly presented based on the work used. 5

Total: 15

ANSWER KEY FOR ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2 ACTIVITY 3
1. YIN YANG
2. LAO-TZU  Answer may vary  Answer may vary
3. WU-WEI Refer to rubrics Refer to rubrics
4. DAO DE JING 
5. ZUANGZI

References:
A. Book

Ong, J., Jose, M.D., Government of the Philippines, Department of Education,

Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems, Textbook-First Edition 2016, Vibal
Group, Inc. pp. 198-208

B. Online Resources
https://www2.slideshare.net/MiSZAYAKOH/taoism-40447043
https://www2.slideshare.net/Juliewulf/taoism-confucianism-shinto-lecture

DIVISION
DIVISION QUALITY
QUALITY ASSURANCE
ASSURANCE MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT TEAM
TEAM IN
IN HUMSS
HUMSS

WRITER:
WRITER/S: MELODY G. GENESE
VALIDATORS:
DR. MARILEX A. TERCIAS
8 DR. EUGENE M. TORALBA
DR. ALBERTO O. RABANG DR. VIRGINIA B. FREGILLANA
JEANNEROSE M. ACOSTA ZOSIMA IRENE H. FERNANDEZ
MA. JOCELYN J. SOTONG DANILO T. SIBLAG
VICTOR B. ABAN JAMELIE M. CRISPINO
ANSWER KEY FOR ASSESSMENT

I. Modified True or False II. Matching Type III. Essay

1. Daoism 1. J  Answer may vary
2. True 2. G Refer to rubrics
3. Dao 3. A
4. True 4. I
5. True 5. H
6. C
7. B
8. E
9. D
10. F