Daoism: Important Concepts and Vocabulary Terms (***for REL 125: refer to "Exam Review" links at bottom of REL 125 syllabus)

Philosophical Daoism
Religious Daoism
The Celestial Masters
The Alchemical Tradition
Dao (way- transcendent, immanent)
De (power- augmented, efficient)
Dao De Jing ([Classic of] The Way and its Power)
Chuang Tze
Ho Ch'i (union of breaths)
Lao Tze
Ch'i (breath, life force)
Wu Wei ("actionless action")
Yin (female, passive, darkness, moisture, winter, etc.)
Yahng (male, active, light, dryness, summer, etc.)
Right Being/Right Doing

Discussion Questions (***for REL 125: refer to "Exam Review" links at bottom of REL 125 syllabus)

1. Explain the concept of Yin and Yahng. Where did its visual representation come from, and what does it represent? How are its components related to each other? How does this relationship express fundamental Daoist thought?

2. Explain the difference between Philosophical Daoism and Religious Daoism.  What are their respective aims, and how do they go about achieving them?  Give examples.

3. Explain the concept of De and its characteristics as both augmentation and efficiency. Give examples of both and explain how they apply.

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