Taoism: Beliefs in China and Taiwan

“Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river” Lao Tse.

Tao, or “Dow,” can be described in English as “the path” or “the way,” but has no clear definition. It is a reference to some type of power that flows through all animate and inanimate entitles, and regulates the balance in the universe. It also recognizes the need of contrasts for balance; light and dark, man and woman, etc. The Yin Yang is a Taoist symbol.

History

The founder of Taoism is supposedly Lao Tse, who lived around the same time as Confucius, 604-531 BCE. However, it is not clear if Tao was actually a real person or a legend, nor a mixture of a few thinkers. Some believe he was an actual person seeking a way to avoid aspects of society like warfare, but others feel he was just mythical. Taoism began as a philosophy, but was turned into a state religion in 440 CE; it is one of the great philosophies of China along with Buddhism and Confucianism. Taoism had been oppressed during the strict communist control periods from 1949-1960, and during the cultural revolution from 1966 to 1976. Many temples and texts were destroyed. However, there is more tolerance and practice of this belief ever since 1982. There are about 20 million Taoists, mainly based in Taiwan.

Beliefs and Practice

One Taoist belief is that the Tao is a force flowing through all aspects of life, and believers must harmonize themselves with this energy. It surrounds everyone, which gives everyone the chance to achieve enlightenment. They believe that time goes in a cyclical pattern, rather than linear. Health and vitality are very important to people’s lives.

Everyone must respect the air around them, as it gives them life. There are “Three Jewels” in Taosim: compassion, moderation and humility. Taoists believe that nature should have its natural flow, and you shouldn’t disturb that. Before taking actions, Taoists believe that humans should think about the consequences.

Some Taoists practice Tai Chi to maintain health. It is a practice to balance the energy flow that connects our bodies to our surroundings. It is believed to lower blood pressure and stimulate the central nervous system, as well as to loosen the tension in the muscles.

Taoism: Beliefs in China and Taiwan

“Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river” Lao Tse.

Tao, or “Dow,” can be described in English as “the path” or “the way,” but has no clear definition. It is a reference to some type of power that flows through all animate and inanimate entitles, and regulates the balance in the universe. It also recognizes the need of contrasts for balance; light and dark, man and woman, etc. The Yin Yang is a Taoist symbol.

History

The founder of Taoism is supposedly Lao Tse, who lived around the same time as Confucius, 604-531 BCE. However, it is not clear if Tao was actually a real person or a legend, nor a mixture of a few thinkers. Some believe he was an actual person seeking a way to avoid aspects of society like warfare, but others feel he was just mythical. Taoism began as a philosophy, but was turned into a state religion in 440 CE; it is one of the great philosophies of China along with Buddhism and Confucianism. Taoism had been oppressed during the strict communist control periods from 1949-1960, and during the cultural revolution from 1966 to 1976. Many temples and texts were destroyed. However, there is more tolerance and practice of this belief ever since 1982. There are about 20 million Taoists, mainly based in Taiwan.

Beliefs and Practice

One Taoist belief is that the Tao is a force flowing through all aspects of life, and believers must harmonize themselves with this energy. It surrounds everyone, which gives everyone the chance to achieve enlightenment. They believe that time goes in a cyclical pattern, rather than linear. Health and vitality are very important to people’s lives.

Everyone must respect the air around them, as it gives them life. There are “Three Jewels” in Taosim: compassion, moderation and humility. Taoists believe that nature should have its natural flow, and you shouldn’t disturb that. Before taking actions, Taoists believe that humans should think about the consequences.

Some Taoists practice Tai Chi to maintain health. It is a practice to balance the energy flow that connects our bodies to our surroundings. It is believed to lower blood pressure and stimulate the central nervous system, as well as to loosen the tension in the muscles.

Learning and Understanding Confucianism: Chinese Philosophy

Confucianism is one of the backbones of Chinese culture and way of life. In China, this philosophy is blended with Taoism and Buddhism in much of the country. It is difficult to say how many people follow Confucianism, as it is not a registered philosophy or church, and few people describe themselves only as Confucianism followers. Nevertheless, it is essential to understand Confucianism if you are planning to move to China or other countries in East Asia.

Confucius, aka K’ung Fu Tzu, was born in 551 BC in the state of Lu, or modern-day Shantung, China, which was during the Chou Dynasty. Confucius opened a school when he was 22, and was then appointed Minister of Justice of Lu. He left his position and spent 13 years wandering around China and teaching philosophies to assorted rulers. He gained some followers, and then settled in Lu and continued to teach there, until he died in 479 BC. By today’s standards, he was a conservative thinker who valued order.

The main rules of Confucianism are as follows:

• Li: Manners and etiquette
• Hsiao: Love in the family
• Yi: Righteousness
• Xin: Honesty
• Jen: Humaneness, Benevolence
• Chung: Loyalty to the state and order

Confucius believed that one must obey the written laws of society. However, there must not be an abundance of arbitrary laws. For society to run smoothly, there should not be too many invasive laws.

Another essential belief is the five relationships:

• Ruler to Subject
• Father to Son
• Husband to Wife
• Elder Brother to Younger Brother
• Friend to Friend

Needless to say, Confucius was not an egalitarian. The only one of these relationships that is on equal grounds is friend to friend. He believed that there needed to be hierarchy and order for greater society (or for a family, school etc) to function. Confucius also emphasized a respect for deceased ancestors. These beliefs and relationships were not solely for the living, but for all souls. Children must respect their parents greatly, and they owe a lot to their parents. However, those who are superior, like parents, owe benevolence and protection of the younger and more inferior people.

There are six sects of Confucianism: Han Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism, Contemporary Neo-Confucianism, Korean Confucianism, Japanese Confucianism and Singapore Confucianism. The philosophy has adapted to different times and separate cultures.

Learning and Understanding Confucianism: Chinese Philosophy

Confucianism is one of the backbones of Chinese culture and way of life. In China, this philosophy is blended with Taoism and Buddhism in much of the country. It is difficult to say how many people follow Confucianism, as it is not a registered philosophy or church, and few people describe themselves only as Confucianism followers. Nevertheless, it is essential to understand Confucianism if you are planning to move to China or other countries in East Asia.

Confucius, aka K’ung Fu Tzu, was born in 551 BC in the state of Lu, or modern-day Shantung, China, which was during the Chou Dynasty. Confucius opened a school when he was 22, and was then appointed Minister of Justice of Lu. He left his position and spent 13 years wandering around China and teaching philosophies to assorted rulers. He gained some followers, and then settled in Lu and continued to teach there, until he died in 479 BC. By today’s standards, he was a conservative thinker who valued order.

The main rules of Confucianism are as follows:

• Li: Manners and etiquette
• Hsiao: Love in the family
• Yi: Righteousness
• Xin: Honesty
• Jen: Humaneness, Benevolence
• Chung: Loyalty to the state and order

Confucius believed that one must obey the written laws of society. However, there must not be an abundance of arbitrary laws. For society to run smoothly, there should not be too many invasive laws.

Another essential belief is the five relationships:

• Ruler to Subject
• Father to Son
• Husband to Wife
• Elder Brother to Younger Brother
• Friend to Friend

Needless to say, Confucius was not an egalitarian. The only one of these relationships that is on equal grounds is friend to friend. He believed that there needed to be hierarchy and order for greater society (or for a family, school etc) to function. Confucius also emphasized a respect for deceased ancestors. These beliefs and relationships were not solely for the living, but for all souls. Children must respect their parents greatly, and they owe a lot to their parents. However, those who are superior, like parents, owe benevolence and protection of the younger and more inferior people.

There are six sects of Confucianism: Han Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism, Contemporary Neo-Confucianism, Korean Confucianism, Japanese Confucianism and Singapore Confucianism. The philosophy has adapted to different times and separate cultures.

The world's largest dam is located in China

Flooding in central China feels the strength of the world's largest dam - Three Gorges. It is reported that it now to the limit - resets 70,000 cubic meters of water per second. This is a record. However, the water level every hour only grows. The consequences, according to the engineers, can be disastrous, especially considering that the flooding in the area have already left homeless tens of thousands of people and caused material damage to millions of yuan. Evacuate had about a million people.

The world's largest dam is located in China

Flooding in central China feels the strength of the world's largest dam - Three Gorges. It is reported that it now to the limit - resets 70,000 cubic meters of water per second. This is a record. However, the water level every hour only grows. The consequences, according to the engineers, can be disastrous, especially considering that the flooding in the area have already left homeless tens of thousands of people and caused material damage to millions of yuan. Evacuate had about a million people.

Chinese Demolition Failed

The footage, taken on December 30, 2009, shows a 22-floor residential building being demolished in the city of Liuzhou, China. Instead of crumbling into a contained heap of rubble, half of the building crashes sideways to the ground, the other half is left still standing but leaning to the side.

Luckily there are no other buildings next to it, otherwise sure many people will be killed in this "Failed" demolition project, which was caused by technical reasons.

Chinese Demolition Failed

The footage, taken on December 30, 2009, shows a 22-floor residential building being demolished in the city of Liuzhou, China. Instead of crumbling into a contained heap of rubble, half of the building crashes sideways to the ground, the other half is left still standing but leaning to the side.

Luckily there are no other buildings next to it, otherwise sure many people will be killed in this "Failed" demolition project, which was caused by technical reasons.

Worlds Largest "Solar Plant"

Arizona-based First Solar announced yesterday plans to construct the world’s largest solar plant in Ordos, China. When completed in 2019, the 2,000 megawatt Ordos solar farm will produce enough power to provide for 3 million homes. It’s a development that makes China, the second largest energy-using country, one of the biggest players in the solar energy game.





It seems like a new “world’s largest solar plant” or “world’s most efficient solar cell” is being announced every day, but the Ordos solar farm is an especially big deal–the 25 square mile, multi-billion dollar plant makes other solar projects look tiny by comparison. Other major projects in the works, such as First Solar’s 550-megawatt project in California and the US Army’s 500 megawatt solar thermal project in the Mojave Desert, don’t even come close to matching Ordos.







Still, renewable energy projects get scrapped or pared down all the time. That means it will be worth keeping an eye on Ordos, which is scheduled to begin the first of its four phases of construction in 2010, to see if it is actually completed. If it is, the country that is now the world’s biggest polluter could easily also become the world’s biggest renewable energy consumer.