Daoism is a philosophy that teaches that people can gain peace and happiness by becoming one with the Dao, or the way. The Dao is a universal force connected to nature that creates order for all things. Daoism teaches that people should see themselves as part of nature, and lead to a balanced life in harmony with it. Laozi believed that for people to discover how to behave, they should notice how nothing in nature strives for fame, power, or knowledge. Instead, nature accepts what comes its way, like a piece of grass that bends with the breeze blows. True harmony comes from balancing the opposite forces of nature, called yin and yang. Laozi taught that it is impossible to have good without bad, beauty without ugliness, or pleasure without pain. Because Daoists see good and bad as connected, they try to accept both.

Question

Daoism is a philosophy that teaches that people can gain peace and happiness by becoming one with the Dao, or the way. The Dao is a universal force connected to nature that creates order for all things. Daoism teaches that people should see themselves as part of nature, and lead to a balanced life in harmony with it. Laozi believed that for people to discover how to behave, they should notice how nothing in nature strives for fame, power, or knowledge. Instead, nature accepts what comes its way, like a piece of grass that bends with the breeze blows. True harmony comes from balancing the opposite forces of nature, called yin and yang. Laozi taught that it is impossible to have good without bad, beauty without ugliness, or pleasure without pain. Because Daoists see good and bad as connected, they try to accept both.

Laozi taught rulers to make fewer laws. He called the way of ruling wuwei (pronounced WOO-WAY) or “action through nonaction.” Rather than attempting to take control and guide the people, a ruler should take very little action and only support the people in achieving what they naturally desire. Just as a farmer cannot force a plant to grow, Laozi thought that a ruler cannot force the people to prosper.

7. Why do Daoist try to accept all things that occur? (2 sentence minimum)
Answer:

Answer 1

Daoists try to accept all things that occur because they believe that good and bad are interconnected and cannot exist without each other. By accepting both, they can attain a state of true harmony and balance in their lives. Additionally, Daoists understand that trying to resist or control the natural flow of things only leads to suffering and disharmony.