Part A
1) Medical theories and practices:
In the philosophical tradition of Taoism with an emphasis on nature and following it as a model for a good life, was incorporated into early Chinese medicine. The use of harmony with the seasons and the cyclic flow of Qi are examples of this. Another example is that the Huang Ti Nei Ching (the fundamental doctrinal source for Chinese medicine) refers to the idea of an ideal life in antiquity, and saying the following, "The men of antiquity understood the Tao. They led their lives in accordance with the rules of yin and yang. They ate and acted moderately; no one dissipated their strength through unseemly behavior. Thus they preserved their strength and lived out their years."
Another example of Taoist influence comes in the area know as Qi Gong. These were exercises were derived from early Taoist breathing methods and postures aimed at purifying and preserving the body.
Taoist also got into alchemy as a form to find the perfect medicine to allow immortality.
http://www.taoistsanctuary.org/tcm/taoism_tcm.html
In the philosophical tradition of Taoism with an emphasis on nature and following it as a model for a good life, was incorporated into early Chinese medicine. The use of harmony with the seasons and the cyclic flow of Qi are examples of this. Another example is that the Huang Ti Nei Ching (the fundamental doctrinal source for Chinese medicine) refers to the idea of an ideal life in antiquity, and saying the following, "The men of antiquity understood the Tao. They led their lives in accordance with the rules of yin and yang. They ate and acted moderately; no one dissipated their strength through unseemly behavior. Thus they preserved their strength and lived out their years."
Another example of Taoist influence comes in the area know as Qi Gong. These were exercises were derived from early Taoist breathing methods and postures aimed at purifying and preserving the body.
Taoist also got into alchemy as a form to find the perfect medicine to allow immortality.
http://www.taoistsanctuary.org/tcm/taoism_tcm.html
Taoist poses of Qi Gong
2) Poetry:
Taoist influence on poetry started in the beginning of Taoism. Lao Tzu was a philosopher and poet who wrote of the ultimate reality. He is most famous for writing the Tao Te Ching a book of mystical writings. His poems and writings would later lead to Taoism, and poetry featuring the idea of the Tao, a cosmic unity underlying all phenomena. Taoist poetry also featured praise to the beauty of nature and expressions of the ineffable.
http://www.poetseers.org/the-poetseers/lao-tzu/
2) Poetry:
Taoist influence on poetry started in the beginning of Taoism. Lao Tzu was a philosopher and poet who wrote of the ultimate reality. He is most famous for writing the Tao Te Ching a book of mystical writings. His poems and writings would later lead to Taoism, and poetry featuring the idea of the Tao, a cosmic unity underlying all phenomena. Taoist poetry also featured praise to the beauty of nature and expressions of the ineffable.
http://www.poetseers.org/the-poetseers/lao-tzu/
One of Lao Tzu’s poems.
3)Metallurgy:
Taoist got into metallurgy in the form of alchemy on their quest to find the perfect medicine to allow immortality. It was thought that if the medicine were absorbed into the human body then it would turn into some kind of “gold”. To transform substances into gold, other metals were used, such as lead, as well as minerals, like cinnabar. This is referred to as waidan, external alchemy.
http://www.taoiststudies.org/taoist_alchemy.html
4) Architecture:
Taoism pursues the harmony between nature and man. Taking traditional ideas of construction, Taoism added symmetric architectural complexes, composed of many ordinary yards spread along a central axis in an orderly fashion. In every yard there are neatly attached architectural structures emphasizing the Taoist emphasis on order and equability. Taoist architecture featured temples, palaces, nunneries, alters and huts were religious activates were preformed. All structures are in line forming a strict constructional system, which reflects Taoist thought of the inner relationship of Essence, Energy, and Spirit.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/architecture/styles/taoist.htm
3)Metallurgy:
Taoist got into metallurgy in the form of alchemy on their quest to find the perfect medicine to allow immortality. It was thought that if the medicine were absorbed into the human body then it would turn into some kind of “gold”. To transform substances into gold, other metals were used, such as lead, as well as minerals, like cinnabar. This is referred to as waidan, external alchemy.
http://www.taoiststudies.org/taoist_alchemy.html
4) Architecture:
Taoism pursues the harmony between nature and man. Taking traditional ideas of construction, Taoism added symmetric architectural complexes, composed of many ordinary yards spread along a central axis in an orderly fashion. In every yard there are neatly attached architectural structures emphasizing the Taoist emphasis on order and equability. Taoist architecture featured temples, palaces, nunneries, alters and huts were religious activates were preformed. All structures are in line forming a strict constructional system, which reflects Taoist thought of the inner relationship of Essence, Energy, and Spirit.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/architecture/styles/taoist.htm
Temple of the Eight Immortals, Xian
Yuquan Temple, Tianshui Gansu
Buildings on the Wudang Mountains
A temple on the Wudang Mountain
Victor Hernandez
Pd. 5
Part A
Victor Hernandez
Pd. 5
Part A