The Discipline of Chinese Painting: An Internal Reflection of Life & Art

Tao Te Ching is one of the most well-known Chinese philosophical scripture believed to be penned between 6th and 4th Century BC and authored by Lao Tzu. It has been a bedrock for the ancient spiritual and religious tradition of Taoism. Tao Te Ching includes two books of poetic verses explaining principle aspects of Taoism such as the metaphysical concept of ‘Tao’ roughly translated as the Way or the path, the consequences of action and inaction, virtue and the juxtaposed behavior of nature. The first book discusses the manifestation of the Way and how it directs us in harmonizing with our own qualities, morals and virtue which eventually help us in harmonizing with the working of the nature. The second book deals with the difficulties of governing

Laozi (Laozi), also known as Classic of the Way and Virtue (Dao de jing), consists of just over 5,000 Chinese characters. Its 81 chapters are divided into two parts, Dao (the Way) and De (Virtue). Short as it is, the book has played a tremendous role in the development of Chinese culture. It became the basis of Daoism, the school of philosophy parallel to Confucianism in ancient China. The thought of Laozi formed the foundation of Daoism, the most influential indigenous school of religion in China. It has also exerted a direct impact on the characteristics, trends of thought and aesthetic sensibilities of the Chinese nation. Today Laozi still plays a role in development of Chinese thinking.

Paintings are a common vehicle for expressing Daoism ideals through art. The Consumer Guide states, “Although these arts are often profound in their expressive ability, they are not encumbered by the restrictions of intellectual content” ("Taoist Arts," 2014, p. 1). Taoist art also involves calligraphy. Painting and calligraphy were not considered professions but yet a practice that indicated one maturity in the beliefs of Taoism. Carvings, pottery, and fine linens are also considered art. However, meditation can also be seen as a form of art in Taoism.

The I Ching, the Book of Change, the foundation of all Chinese religion and science, is an ancient Chinese divination text that provides influential text in religion, literature, and art. It provided guidance for moral decision making, based on Taoism and Confucianism. The I Ching can be read as a microcosm of the universe, explaining how to keep human behavior in unity with the alternating series of nature. Chinese tradition was divided into Confucianism, the exoteric, and Taoism, the esoteric, but both see the world and ‘God’ as a whole, the cosmos. Although different, both religions allowed their followers to find “God” in all things, Confucianism through the natural order, and Taoism through the Tao. Both of these religions encouraged knowledge beyond the physical world and beyond that which can be known with the senses.

The Daodejing is a collection of chapters from ancient China. The chapters explain why things happen the way they do. In order to understand everything that exists and the way it exits, the Daoists explain “dao” which means the way. The way helps people to find their way to excellence during a time of turmoil and strife. Life as it is known is uncertain and unclear. Daodejing uses a non-logical approach to explain the uncertainties in life. The authors of this ancient text use contradictions to prove their points because logic cannot always be used as a guide. Contradictions help to find balance and teach people to live in a world without having a full understanding of things. According to chapter 15, it was stated that “those who prize way-making

The Daodejing expresses a great interest in balance in life. The Daodejing introduces the Yin (陰) and Yang (陽) and its ways. Yin and Yang balance the good and bad to create a virtuous situation. Daoism is presented as a much more spiritual way of life. Laozi urges people to follow ‘the Way’ (道) as it leads to a more rewarding, humbling, and virtuous life.

Let’s celebrate the malleable reality (Jason Mraz, “Live High”). It is no secret that I am a ratty seventeen-year old girl, my opinions change like the seasons. In the Daoist religion, the Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi, rejects barriers. Daoists observe that most people see the world from their perspective and divide things into opposites and similarities. To attain understanding of the world, it is imperative to go beyond simple opposites. For Daoist philosophers, change is not necessarily change, but adaptation. Basic Daoist teachings suggest paranormal and normal are not opposite, but relative.

Taoism (Daoism) first originated in East Asia, specifically China and then spread throughout the Eastern hemisphere. Its philosophical basis is grounded by the emphasis of the three jewels: compassion, moderation and humility. The founder of Taoism “Laozi [is an] advocate [of] being natural and reject[ing] the social” (Hansen 4). Taoism teaches the importance of life and how one should go about living it. It teaches ethics, morals and most importantly Wu Wei. Wu Wei is the act and conscious of knowing when and when not to act and when not to act. This religion does not have a central God or multiple Gods that it worships; rather, they stress the importance of revering one's ancestors as well as nature. The most well known symbol of Taoism is the yin and yang. This phrase represents the importance of the unity of opposites and celebrating these differences through peace and bliss. Scholars derive their knowledge of Taoism from the readings and scriptures from the texts of Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi. “The core of Zen practice is seated meditation, called zazen. Shikantaza (nothing but sitting) involves sitting in a state of alert attention that is free of thoughts. Koans are paradoxical questions, phrases, or stories that cannot be solved using intellectual reasoning, like ‘What is the sound of one hand clapping?’ ” (Spuler 2). Unlike western religions, it provides a clear quest of how one

Daoism revolves around our interaction with Tao and the flow of Chi. The Tao (otherwise known as the way) can be described as the order of the universe affecting everything throughout life. Humans cannot understand the Tao and its working throughout the universe. The Tao manifests itself within our world in many different forms, it is found within nature, the world and the universe. The Tao Te Ching written by Laozi describes the Tao as “The Tao that can be spoken of is not the constant Tao; The name that can be named Is not the constant Name.” (Tao Te Ching Chapter 1) Another description of the Tao comes from the sage Chuang Tzu who defines the Tao as “The way is to man as rivers and lakes are to fish, the natural condition of life.” (www.bbc.co.uk.) From this we can see how the Tao is a concept that cannot be understood, it is a part of the supernatural world transcending anything that we can

In “The Daodejing,” Laozi, similar to many prominent Chinese philosophers before and after his time, discusses his unique perspective of the “Way.” There is much controversy, however, regarding whether Laozi was the actual author of this text or was even a real person, and “his” work is thought to have been a composite. (For the purpose of clarity, throughout this paper, the author(s) of “The Daodejing” will be mentioned as Laozi.) Laozi’s vision of the “Way” is exceptionally challenging to define using words because of its metaphysical nature. Although this term is somewhat difficult to envision, it is what mankind should aspire and take action to be aligned with. According to Laozi, in “readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy,” the “Way” (or dao) is the “source, sustenance, and ideal state of all things in the world” (Laozi 158). It can be best thought of as the underlying guiding force of all events that occur in the universe, and mankind is closer to the “Way” when they realize that all things are interconnected and have an effect on one another. As might be expected, this vague definition isn’t a foolproof depiction of the eighty-one chapters in the “Daodejing,” but one is able to grasp a basic understanding of Laozi’s ineffable doctrine. Although numerous chapters are meaningful and could provide substantial analysis, this paper will focus in on Chapter Twelve. Ultimately, this chapter adequately and efficaciously compresses the teachings of “The Daodejing” into

As explained in World Religions Today, in contemporary culture, the discoveries made through science are usually articulated in the structure of mathematical equations. These mathematical equations serve as proofs of the fundamental truths that the particular science reveals. Analogous to this idea is the symbolism in the Yi-Jing system of East Asian Religions. The symbolization of the Yi-Jing system enriches the conceptualization of the universe as incessantly changing. Within the Yi-Jing system, the yin-yang symbol exemplifies the most familiar representation of these uncovered fundamental truths (Esposito 502-3). In this essay, I intend to explain the meaning of the terms yin and yang and discuss the role they play in Chinese religions generally. Further, I will explain the way in which the symbolism of yin and yang contribute to the Chinese conception of the universe and the way that role is played out in religious practices.

The Yin Yang is one of the primary principles of Taoist teachings. The concept of two forces present everywhere, completely opposite to each other yet balancing and enhancing each other. They cannot be separated because they exist together in comparison, and splitting one apart will only create the other anew. Although one force can take prevalence over the other for a short time, anything that is in a state of imbalance for long will cease to exist. The universe is composed of and held together by the tension of these two forces, and this concept is in Taoist writings on Abstraction. (A2)

Daoism is synonymous with Taoism; in this religious philosophy, the way of nature is central theme of life. It was founded by Lao Tzu in 500BC in China. Lao is believed to have authored the “Dao de Jing”, which details the Daoist beliefs. Dao is a concept, a way, a principle that will lead a person to a happy, peaceful life. Dao can be achieved by incorporating the Three Jewel of Taoism that are humility, simplicity and compassion in one’s life. According to Dao, de Jing “The Way to Heaven is to benefit others and not to injure”.15 Further, there is no concept of good and evil, the Dao is simply the universe, which is perceived as a self- sustaining entity that generates energy called qi. Like other Chinese traditions, Daoist also have great reverence for the spirits of ancestors as well as spirits of nature that is plants, animals, rivers, etc. 16

in this regard an old adage says that those who are versed in painting will live longer because "the life created by means of the brush touch It strengthens life itself ". In the tradition of ancient China, in fact, the harmony of an artistic product mirrors the universal harmony of the Tao (in Japanese Do), supreme and inscrutable principle that created the world and governs the secret rhythm of nature.

When first deciding to write my term paper on Taoism I thought it would be just another religion. In my research I found so many different translations that my head started spinning. There are really no known facts about the founder of Taoism, Lao Tsu, except that he was possibly a contemporary of Confucius. He was searching for a way that would avoid the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that disrupted society during his lifetime. (Religious Tolerance, 2007) Since there are many aspects to Taoism in this paper I will do my best to explain what Taoism is and also explain some of its main concepts.