BeliefsBeliefsWu Wei is a central belief in Taoism. It means Wu Wei is a central belief in Taoism. It means "not doing""not doing"It is a spiritual request to leave things alone It is a spiritual request to leave things alone and let nature run its courseand let nature run its courseA person should not manipulate other's A person should not manipulate other's thoughts and minds into thinking in a certain thoughts and minds into thinking in a certain manner. One should have faith in the Tao, and manner. One should have faith in the Tao, and allow people to find their own way on their allow people to find their own way on their eternal Tao.eternal Tao.If one boils away a well, it is against nature. If one boils away a well, it is against nature. This is called "taking action" or "yu wei"This is called "taking action" or "yu wei"Wu Wei is when people act in a manner that Wu Wei is when people act in a manner that does as little harm as possible to the natural does as little harm as possible to the natural world.world.

TaoismTaoismTao is the force that existed before all things. By giving birth to Tao is the force that existed before all things. By giving birth to one, Tao gave the world a mechanism for balance. The birth of one, Tao gave the world a mechanism for balance. The birth of

two means the birth of opposites. The birth of three refers two means the birth of opposites. The birth of three refers to the existence of heaven, earth and humanity. Thus, all to the existence of heaven, earth and humanity. Thus, all

creation can be related back to the Tao, the great silent source creation can be related back to the Tao, the great silent source of harmony.of harmony.

OriginOriginPlace of Origin: ChinaPlace of Origin: China During the time of the uprising of During the time of the uprising of Zoroastrianism in Persia, and Jainism in Zoroastrianism in Persia, and Jainism in India. India.

Founder and Key FiguresFounder and Key Figures Huang DiHuang Di • • Emperor of ChinaEmperor of China • • LegendLegend: Huang Di visited a hermit and asked him a question. : Huang Di visited a hermit and asked him a question.

When the hermit finally replied, he told Huang great wisdom, which When the hermit finally replied, he told Huang great wisdom, which changed the way Huang ruled over his people. This secret was Tao.changed the way Huang ruled over his people. This secret was Tao.

• • TaoTao: the way; to practise the way of nature and to understand how : the way; to practise the way of nature and to understand how to achieve balance between opposing forces.to achieve balance between opposing forces.

Lao TzuLao Tzu • • FounderFounder of Taoism of Taoism • • Lao Tzu = “Lao Tzu = “old masterold master”” • • The existence of Lao is questionable, and he may have been one of The existence of Lao is questionable, and he may have been one of

three people.three people. • • He wrote the He wrote the Tao Te ChingTao Te Ching, which is a short collection of wise , which is a short collection of wise

verses about the way.verses about the way. Chuang Tzu Chuang Tzu • • He is one of the authors of the book, He is one of the authors of the book, Chuang TzuChuang Tzu, which is a , which is a

collection of stories teaching the Tao for everyday life.collection of stories teaching the Tao for everyday life. • • The secret between Huang Di and the hermit was finally revealed The secret between Huang Di and the hermit was finally revealed

through the book.through the book.

ContinuedContinued Chang Tao-ling (34 – 156 CE)Chang Tao-ling (34 – 156 CE) • • He had a revelation from the spirit of Lao Tzu, which was He had a revelation from the spirit of Lao Tzu, which was

to organize Taoism into a formal faith, to compensate for the to organize Taoism into a formal faith, to compensate for the growing numbers of Buddhists.growing numbers of Buddhists.

• • He traveled the countryside healing, teaching, and He traveled the countryside healing, teaching, and establishing places of worship. establishing places of worship.

• • Chang and his followers became known as the Chang and his followers became known as the Way of the Way of the Celestial MastersCelestial Masters..

Chang ChiaoChang Chiao • • Rebel LeaderRebel Leader • • He wanted to have a new spiritual authority ruling China He wanted to have a new spiritual authority ruling China

that followed Tao.that followed Tao. • • He and his band of rebels tried to overthrow the Han He and his band of rebels tried to overthrow the Han

authorities, but they were not successful (184 CE). authorities, but they were not successful (184 CE). However, the However, the “Yellow Turban” rebellion“Yellow Turban” rebellion brought more brought more attention to the religion. attention to the religion.

Key Practices or Key Practices or CeremoniesCeremonies

““Taoists place a tremendous emphasis on physical health Taoists place a tremendous emphasis on physical health and longevity.”and longevity.”

Tai Chi•Founded by Chang San Feng in the twelfth century CE.•Encourages physical activities designed to bring a person into harmony with Tao.•This harmony is expressed through martial arts such as Tai Chi.•It harmonizes the flow of chi through the body.•Chi Energy; the spiritual breath of life that moves all existence.•Various movement bring the person into a state of harmony.•Tai Chi has positive effects on a person’s nervous system, blood circulation, and muscle tone.•The movements also massage a person’s internal organs. 

Chinese Medicine and Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture:Acupuncture:

bring a balance of  chi within bring a balance of  chi within a persona person

Balance is disrupted when Balance is disrupted when there is a blockage in the flow there is a blockage in the flow of chi within a person’s body.of chi within a person’s body.

This is treated through This is treated through acupuncture.acupuncture.

Acupuncture targets the Acupuncture targets the pressure points within a body pressure points within a body to maintain a proper flow of to maintain a proper flow of chi.chi.

Practitioners apply tiny Practitioners apply tiny needles to the acupuncture needles to the acupuncture points of a person’s body.points of a person’s body.

There are over 800 There are over 800 acupuncture points on the acupuncture points on the human body.human body.

Feng ShuiFeng Shui Originated 1000’s of years ago.Originated 1000’s of years ago. ““Feng Shui seeks to bring a building into alignment with the environment in Feng Shui seeks to bring a building into alignment with the environment in

order to ensure the best possible flow of spiritual energy.”order to ensure the best possible flow of spiritual energy.” This is accomplished by placing doorways, staircases, windows, and rooms This is accomplished by placing doorways, staircases, windows, and rooms

in certain geometrical locations.in certain geometrical locations. All choices are made with the optimal use of spiritual energy in mind.All choices are made with the optimal use of spiritual energy in mind. There are eight enrichments of Feng ShuiThere are eight enrichments of Feng Shui people’s houses are divided amongst thempeople’s houses are divided amongst them each area covers a each area covers a

necessity of human life.necessity of human life. The Eight enrichments with their compass directions are: southThe Eight enrichments with their compass directions are: south wealth, wealth,

moneymoney south east, education south east, education east, children east, children north-east, north-east, relationshipsrelationships north, friends north, friends northwest, pleasure northwest, pleasure west, health west, healthsouth-south-west.west.

These are the Eight Remedies of Feng ShuiThese are the Eight Remedies of Feng Shui inside a home inside a home LightLight LifeLife Mechanical DevicesMechanical Devices ColourColour MovementMovement StillnessStillness SoundSound Straight LinesStraight Lines

Other Interesting Other Interesting FactsFacts The two most sacred writings in Taoism are The two most sacred writings in Taoism are the Tao Te Ching and the Chuang Tzu.the Tao Te Ching and the Chuang Tzu.The Tao Te Ching is a collection of 81 short The Tao Te Ching is a collection of 81 short poems, which include advice to leaders and poems, which include advice to leaders and paradoxes about life.paradoxes about life.The Chuang Tzu has more of a prose The Chuang Tzu has more of a prose writing style, with stories focussing on writing style, with stories focussing on uniting with the Tao by abandoning society.uniting with the Tao by abandoning society.Taoism has an impact on Canadian culture Taoism has an impact on Canadian culture through martial arts, herbalism, holistic through martial arts, herbalism, holistic medicine, meditation, and acupuncture.medicine, meditation, and acupuncture.

SymbolsSymbols

WHO WANTS TO WHO WANTS TO BE A TAOIST?BE A TAOIST?

When Chang Chiao wanted to see a new spiritual authority in China following Tao, he:wrote a book about

Tao tried to overthrow the Han authority with his band of

rebels.

left China to get away from the growing appeal of Buddhism

followed “wu wei” and didn’t take action.

Huang Di changed the way he governed his people when he was given great wisdom from a:

Grasshopper

Turtle

Hermit

Lobster

Tao means

The way The life

Energy Food

What does Wu Wei mean?

Balance of the soul

Creating Peace

Not Doing

Tao for WOOHHHHH!!

People who practice Wu Wei…

Become one with animals

Do the funky chicken

Respect the natural world

Respect the Ying Yang

What does the Wu Wei Request?To let nature run its

nature course

Wear bling bling

To pray for nature

Go against nature

Which sacred writing of Taoism consists of 81 short poems?

Chuang Tzu Lu Xiujing

Yin Shui Tao Te Ching

Tao is recognized as a force that:

Helps those in need

should be worshipped

governs the universe

is controlled by the ying yang

Around what time did Taoism change from a philosophy into a religion?

220 C.E.

440 C.E

550 B.C.E.

440 B.C.E.

Tai Chi harmonizes the flow of _______ through the body?

Red blood cells

Oxygen

Chi

Feng Shui

The are _____acupuncture points on the human body?

2000

650

700

800

How many enrichments of Feng Shui are there?

8

18

7

4