[Author’s Name]
[Institution’s Name]
Essay on An Introduction to Daoism
Daoism/Taoism is as much a philosophy as a religion. The first known Daoist/Taoist was supposedly a person named Lao Tzu who wrote the Tao Te Ching, a short book of verses describing the way to live. (However, it is not certain if he was a real person or if this is a compilation of much older teachings.) There were other, later scholars, but the Tao Te Ching is the bible of taoism/daoism. The closest English translation of the word tao/dao would be 'the way'. Daoism/Taoism is basically about how to succeed by living in tune with the universe/nature--although it can never be completely described on paper and must be experienced. One of the major differences between Daoism--and other eastern philosophies--and western thinking is that westerners try to conquer nature, and easterners try to understand and live in balance with it. Taoism/Daoism also has a much different view of opposites. Rather than seeing them as enemies as westerners do, they see them as pairs that are both essential. For example, you cannot have up without down.
They see being and nonbeing as necessary and supportive of each other. Another example from Lao Tzu's book would be that of a cup or vessel. You shape the clay (being) into a vessel or cup, but it is the emptiness (nonbeing) inside that you use. Daoism/taoism also emphasizes wu-wei, which is often translated as 'not doing', although it doesn't actually mean not doing anything. It means being so in tune with the tao/dao, or so understanding of the situation, that your actions just flow.
Philosophical Daoism presents a normative philosophy, the environmental implications of which are implicit in the ideal of living in harmony with the Dao.
Its method is evocative. Rather than argument it offers poems and stories about individuals who exemplify qualities of consummate personhood (zhenren).............
