Term Paper on "Interpretations of the Sacred Daoism"

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Dao and the Interpretations of the Sacred Daoism

Chanting is no more holy than listening to the murmur of a stream, counting prayer beads no more sacred than simply breathing, religious robes no more spiritual than work clothes.

Lao Tzu

Introduction recently saw an excellent movie called Ghost Dog where a young black man lives in a modern city as a type of executioner samurai and who follows the Code of Bushido and the Hagakare doctrines as he single-handedly fights crime in his own humble and honorable manner. Most of us today would not be aware of the fact that this movie and many other martial arts movies like Kung Fu all have deep roots that are based on an ancient script known as the Dao. In fact, many eastern religions also have very similar ties to the Dao. This research-based essay therefore aims to compare and contrast various interpretations of the Dao as found in the religions of Daoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. As most are aware, although they have all developed some fundamentally different beliefs and practices, each of these native Chinese religions were all historically founded upon the sacred concepts of the Dao. This report provides insights and attempts to focus on points such as what the specific practices each religion developed to help their followers interpret and understand the Dao as well as how ancient writers described and/or treated the Dao.

The Dao

Most of those who are in the know about the topic at hand believe that an old sage named Lao Tzu was the writer of the original Dao. Of course, this is merely speculation because know is certain of this fact. Lao Tzu was the best ch

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oice because he was the keeper of the Imperial Archives in China during the Chou Dynasty over twenty five hundred years ago and was known as someone who could have pulled this off. Because of his frustration with the turbulence and social disorder he opted to forego civilization and migrated to a live out the rest of his life in the mountains contemplating man's unrest. In fact, when we in modern days are talking about the wise many in the mountain, it may be the image of Lao Tzu that we are unknowingly referring to. As the story has it, prior to leaving the city, a gate guardsman begged him to write down all of the wisdom he had attained prior to leaving and the result was the Tao Te Ching or the Book of the Way and its Power. The book only entailed some eighty-one chapters and most were less that a typical short paragraph. However, the wisdom within these chapters is indeed profound and it has been the foundation for many religions throughout the east. The key is that all things that we can hear, feel smell or touch arises from an essentially unexplainable source that the eastern world knows as the absolute - the Tao itself. From our western perspective, most believe that the absolute represents our version of God or a Universal Mind.

Taoism

Taoist's live life by the power of the Tao by the practitioners putting into practice three currents: Philosophical Taoism, vitalizing Taoism and religious Taoism. Philosophical Taoism has its base on the writings of Lao Tzu, Chuang-Tzu, and Lieh-Tzu. Through reflective and meditative contemplation, Taoists utilize and live in the Tao's power as it flows through human beings. Vitalizing Taoism utilizes the concept of the Tao's power in the life force known as chi. which can be enhanced through specific martial movements and certain thought patterns. Acupuncture is one concept that we westerns can relate to for chi because we now understand that the needles are used to revitalize or release… READ MORE

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Quoted Instructions for "Interpretations of the Sacred Daoism" Assignment:

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focus on an in-depth analysis of how sacred came to be understood and experienced in different religious traditions. 3 page research based essay comparing and contrasting the various interpretations of the Dao as found in the religions of Daoism, Confucianism,k and Shintoism. It is important to tnote that Native Chinese religion (Daoism), Confucianism, and Shintoism were all based upon the mysterious, sacred concept of the Dao, yet developed very different beliefs and practices. Please take into consideration the following questions or points when formulating the paper:

1. What specific practices did each religion develop to assist followers in coming to understand and know the Dao: (e.g. Meditation, Tai Chi, Tea Ceremony, etc..)

2. How do various ancient *****s describe or treat the Dao? For example, you may choose to cite from the writings of Kung Futze, Mencius, Lao-zi, and/or Japanese sacred textsk, such as the Hagakare handbook or Code of the Bushido, to support your points. You must cite from a minimum of five sources. These sources may include print based materials, the Internet, or your text.

3. Provide concrete, tangible examples of how contemporary pracitoners of Confucianism, Daoism and shintoism still incorporate the idea of the Dao into their beliefs and practices. This may include insights and teachings from contemporary religious leaders of each religion or descriptions of beliefs or ceremonies conducted by followers of each religion. There must be a detailed thorough comparison and contrast among the three main forms of Daoism (Daoist Dao, The Dao of kung Futze, and Dao of Shintoism). supporting evidence containing specific examples from *****s such as Lao Tzu, Kung Futze or Japanese sacred texts, such as the Hagakare Handbook. clear examples of contemporary religious practices used by followers of the Dao are provided. Introductory paragraph contains a thesis that is well developed throughout the essay. Discussion and Analysis paragraphs have topic sentences sentences that support the thesis, are well developed with specific details. Concluding paragraph contains a final statement that brings the thesis to a close.

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