Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION IV-A – CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF SAN PEDRO CITY
CUYAB INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM- GRADE 11

ACTIVITY SHEET- WEEK 13

I. Lesson Content: History, Sacred Scriptures, Worships and Observances Beliefs and Doctrines of Daoism

II. Most Essential Learning Competencies: *Analyze the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and related issues
of Taoism
III. Learning Activity:
Daoic Religions: DAOISM

A. Introduction
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. It began in the state of Chu in the southern part of the present Hunan
Province.
The ultimate goal of Daoists was to conform to the great pattern of nature, which is called Dao, or “The Way.” As a philosophy, Daoism focuses on the
great mysteries of the Dao; as a religion, its goal is to achieve long life and, ultimately, immortality.

B. Symbols
The Yin and Yang is the most well-known Daoist religious symbol. It is an image composed of a circle divided into two swirling parts: one black and
the other white. Within each swirling or teardrop-shaped half is a smaller circle of the opposite color. Overall, the Yin and Yang symbol signifies the
perfect harmonic balance in the universe. For example, day and night; birth and death.
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. Daoists believe that the interplay of the
Yin-qi and Yang-qi created the manifest world.

C. Historical Background
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 Daoist
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.

D. Sacred Scriptures
✓ Dao De Jing- meaning “The Book of the Way and its Power”. t is a mysterious collection of enigmatic remarks which many find hard to understand.
The It has often been attributed to Laozi, but some believe that it was a product of the collective efforts among various groups in China, since a closer
analysis of the scripture reveals that there is no integrated philosophy in the Dao De Jing; instead, it was a collection of sayings and proverbs, lines
from popular songs, and clever maxims coming from various contributors with various concerns.

✓ Book of 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. This book, which is an anthology of essays that make use of parables and allegories, discusses 202 Daoic
Religions spiritual freedom which makes one surpass the limitations of one’s own mind, and not merely the freedom from social norms and
restrictions. Zhuangzi believes that such freedom can only be attained by living according to the Dao itself. Part of living according to the Dao is to
defer to its laws, which includes the law of dying.

E. Concepts and Beliefs

✓ The Dao. According to Laozi, the Dao, which is the essential concept and creative principle in 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 exist. All things come from it, and
are nourished by it, that is why sometimes the Dao is called “Mother.” Dao is the origin of heaven and earth and it is also the way in which heaven
and earth now live.
The Dao is distinct from God. It is not a being for it is the origin of all beings, and its great virtue is that it does everything but desires nothing. It is
“emptiness”, which does not compete with other forces but is content with itself. This contentment, when practiced by people, will enable them to lead
good lives.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A – CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF SAN PEDRO CITY
CUYAB INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

✓ Deity/God (Dao as the origin of all beings) Daoism does not have a God. Daoists believe that the universe originated from the Dao, which created
and controls the universe and distantly guides 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 Daoists, God is found inside us, in the thoughtful
emptiness from which all power and life originates in all directions; it is the “Nothing” within all of us where all our energy comes from.

✓ The De- which means virtue or the proper adherence to Dao, is another basic concept in Daoism. It encourages inaction in nature and advocates the
quiet and passive nature of a person so that the Dao, or the creative principle in the universe, may act through them without interference. or Daoists,
inaction means a person’s outward actions, and emptiness is the corresponding inner state, which also means “absence of desire.”

Daoists believe that when a person becomes peaceful, that person acquires power to overcome all things without having to compete with others. In
line with this, humility and avoiding competition with others are two virtues which Daoists value most. Lastly, “contentment with what is” is another
expression of inaction in nature and of non-competition in emptiness.

✓ Wu-Wei- 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. It refers to the cancellation or restriction of human behavior, especially human activities. 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.

Wu-wei—considered by Daoism as the highest form of virtue—emphasize passivity, which may benefit less fortunate or weak people, for it will help
them overcome their opponents and become strong.

✓ Yin Yang- emphasizes complementarity, interconnectedness, and interdependence of both sides seeking a new balance with each other. The yin
and yang symbolize the integration of the polarities mentioned by Laozi. He stressed the need for balance and harmony, which is achieved only when
one is fully grounded in the Dao.

✓ Qi/Chi-The qi refers to the natural energy or life force that sustains living beings. Qi 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.” 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.

E. Worship and Observances

Daoist priests are licensed to perform rituals of specific traditions. One form of ritual is exorcism, performed in cases of sickness with the goal of gaining
victory over the evil spirits. Other rituals are performed in the form of festivals, especially New Year.

Daoist sage exemplifies the virtue of humility. They also put emphasis on ethical behavior by incorporating it into their practices. They value the need for
a moral life, of good works as well as of ritual atonement for misbehavior. Daoism values the virtues of naturalness, behaving as nature dictates, not as
caused by social pressure or personal pride; and naturalism, which entails resisting temptation to meddle with nature.
To attain the spiritual perfection like the sage, Daoists practice certain rituals which are listed below:
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A – CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF SAN PEDRO CITY
CUYAB INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Summary
• Daoists believe that everything comes from the Dao. Human nature should be aligned withthe rest of nature to achieve harmony and balance. Self-
cultivation should be encouraged for people to return to the natural mode of existence.
• For some Daoists, spontaneity is the mode of being experienced fully only by immortals; for most Daoists, living a long and healthy life is their goal.
They can achieve this through practicing methods of nourishing life by way of physical exercises designed to improve one’shealth and lengthen life,
breathing exercises, drinking potions believed to lengthen life, etc.
• Living in harmony with nature is the way of living with the Dao, which will lead to good health and long life (even immortality for some) because there is
a balance of yin and yang, therefore the qi flows freely.
• Life and death are mere phases of the qi according to Daoists. They are advised not to be afraid of death since life and death are but phases of the
circulation of the qi. Thus, Daoist concept of salvation focuses on this life than in the afterlife.
• Daoists have no concept of heaven and hell as compared to other religions. In their scriptures there were mentions of heaven as the abode of their
deities and life on earth should be in harmony with the will of heaven. However, based on their concept of qi, heaven is achieved when one achieves
immortality and, if this is not possible, then long life is enough. They have this concept that those who achieve immortality reside in utopian places on
earth, such as forests and mountains

IV. Learning Tasks:

Watch a video about “The Dao of Pooh” (based on a book with the same title by Benjamin Hoff). Based on your understanding of Winnie-the-Pooh
characters, how would you describe the traits of the following characters? Which of them possess the Daoist ideals? Why?

V. Assessment:
Matching Type. Write the letter of the correct answer.

Zàihuì!!

Prepared by: Checked by: Noted by:

RHAIZA M. ONSING ALLEN C. LONGNO SHERYLL ANN M. DADAL

Subject Teacher Master Teacher I School Head
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A – CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF SAN PEDRO CITY
CUYAB INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL