1、Pre-reading discussion When we talk about Daoism,what keywords will come into your mind?Laozi_Matching Headings to SectionsSkim the text within 5 minutes and finish Exercise II.HeadingParagraphsIntroduction1-3Daoism in Chinese Culture19-21Interpretation of Zhuangzi14-18Basic Concepts of DaoismnayLao
2、zi and Daodejing4-13Key ideas in the articleDao,the way or the path 道Quietism 清静“Inaction”无为Ritual“deference”礼让“within society”入世“beyond society”出世The syncretism of the“three religions”三教（儒释道）Immortals 仙Neidan,the techniques of inner cultivation 内丹Classics mentioned in the articleDaodejing 道德经Zhuang
3、zi 庄子Records of the Historian 史记Yijing,the Book of Changes 易经DaoismDaoism or Taoism is“an indigenous religio-philosophical tradition.”According to Feng Youlan,there are several phases in the early development of Daoism,represented by Yangzhu(杨 朱),Laozi,and Zhuangzi respectively.There is a distinctio
4、n between Daoism as a philosophy(道家）and Daoism as a religion(道教).The former teaches the doctrine of following nature,while the latter teaches the doctrine of working against nature.Identifying and Summarizing Key PointsRead paras.1-3 and add information to the previous powerpoint concerning Daoism.I
5、dentifying and Summarizing Key PointsRead paras.4-5 and add prompts to the following notes on Laozi the philosopher.According to Zhuangzi,Laozi.According to Shiji,Laozi.Laozi the PhilosopherAccording to Zhuangzi,Laozi isZhuangzis teacher;Confuciuss senior contemporary/elder;a renowned Daoist master(
6、confounding Confucius);a curator of the archives at the court of the Zhou Dynastya mere mortalLaozi the PhilosopherAccording to Shiji,Laozi full name was Li Er;was an archivist at the Zhou court;instructed Confucius on points of ceremony;left for the west at the decline of the Zhou Dynasty;wrote his
7、 treatise of the Dao in order to pass the frontier;had exceptional longevity(legendary);LaoziLaozi also stands for the book Tao Teh Ching(also,Daodejing道德经).Gu Zhengkun translated the first 37 chapters into The Book of Tao,while the rest into The Book of Teh.Identifying and Summarizing Key PointsGro
8、up work.Read paras.6-13 and write down prompts for Daodejing.Daodejinga compilation(rather than the work of Laozi);fundamental text of both philosophical and religious Daoism;81 brief sections,5,000 characters;a profound quietism and anarchistic views on government;a handbook for the rulerAccording
9、to Daodejing,a ruler should be a sage;impose no restrictions or prohibitions on his subjects(simple rule);banish wisdom,righteousness,and ingenuity among nobles and intellectuals;condemn but not exclude war;Translation AppreciationSo long as I love quietude,the people will of themselves go straight.
10、So long as I act only by inactivity,the people will of themselves become prosperous.我好静，而民自正；我无事，而民自富。(ch.57)When intellect emerges,the great artifices begin.When discord is rife in families,“dutiful sons”appear.When the State falls into anarchy,“loyal subjects”appear.智慧出，有大伪。六亲不和，有孝慈。国家昏乱，有忠臣。（ch.1
11、8)Translation AppreciationIt is better to banish wisdom,righteousness,and ingenuity,and the people will benefit a hundredfold.绝圣弃智，民利百倍。（ch.19)Therefore the Sage rules by emptying their hearts(minds)and filling their bellies,weakening their wills and strengthening their bones,ever striving to make t
12、he people knowledgeless and desireless.是以圣人之治，虚其心，实其腹，弱其志，强其骨，常使民无知无欲。(ch.3)Translation AppreciationArms are ill-omened instruments and the sage uses them only when he cannot do otherwise.兵者不祥之器，（非君子之器），不得已而用之。(ch.31)He does not glory in victory,he that has conquered in battle is received with rites
13、 of mourning.胜而不美，战胜以丧礼处之。(ch.31)Daodejingshares certain constants of classical Chinese thought:inaction(wuwei)sacred kingship(tianming);renunciation(wu)ritual deference(rang)dao as a social ideal(datong)highly compressed styleshort,concise statementsin rhymeZhuangzi Zhuangzi is a contemporary of Me
14、ncius(孟子)and a friend of Hui Shih(惠施).Zhuangzi also refers to the book which“contains considerable documentary material,describing numerous speculative trends and spiritual practices of the Warring States period.”The first chapter“The Happy Excursion”(逍遥游）and the second chapter“Chi Wu Lun”(齐物论)are v
15、ery popular among readers.It talks about notions such as way of achieving relative happiness and absolute happiness,the usefulness of the useless(无用之用),sitting in forgetfulness(坐忘).Identifying and Summarizing Key PointsRead paras.14-18,together with para.4,and finish Exercise III.Identifying and Sum
16、marizing Key PointsRead para.s 19-21 and try to take notes on the following questions:What is the classic definition of Daoism and Confucianism?How should we evaluate this definition?Classic Definition of Daoism and ConfucianismDaoism“beyond society”;emphasizes nature and what is natural and spontan
17、eous in the human experience;Confucianism“within society”;Emphasizes human society and the social responsibilities of its members.The two traditions balance and complement each other.Evaluation of Classic Definitiongenerally correct concerning orthodox Han Confucianism;neglects some aspects of Confu
18、cian thought,e.g.speculations on the Yijing(shanwei);neglects the social thoughts of the Daoist philosophers and the political aspects of Daoist religion.Video:LaoziCheck out the video“Laozi”.Pay special attention to the importance of Laozis work in the modern world.“His words serve as a reminder of
19、 the importance of _ and _ and discovering the buried yet central parts of _.”Translation Revision:Exercise V.Satisfaction for Laozi isnotsatisfiedwith the reality,alsonotto be numb about worry and escape contradiction,butacknowledge that peoples time,energy,wisdom,and theopportunities are limited,i
20、mpossible to meet all thedesires,or to achieve perfect state.So,the personsdesire and behavior should hold good degrees.If blindgreeddonotgetordonotneedtogetthings,willonlymakepeopleliveinpain.,ofcourse,nomattersatisfiedorunsatisfied,cantchangepeoplesreallife,sohappy brought by satisfactionisnotinrealsense,butgoes beyond spirituallyfameandfortune.Toreachthisstate,wewillknowourplace,toknowourabilities,takeadvantageofouropportunities.Dont insist things notbelongtous,learntoliveinthemoment.
