Difference between revisions of "The legend of Laozi and Daoism"

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[[File:Laozi.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Datong Yungang Cave, among the earliest remaining examples of Buddhist art in China. Photo by Peter Ward.]]
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[[File:Laozi.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Typical renderings of Laozi depict him as an old man with long white hair and beard.]]
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Originating from an innocent boy shielded behind palace walls who grew to become a curious young man depriving himself of worldly desires, Buddhism has climbed over mountains and traveled across seas to become a central philosophy in China.  By pursuing this philosophy, which stems from the Four Noble Truths and following the Eight-fold path, anyone can find bliss and achieve enlightenment.  Regardless of class, economic status, age, sex, or ethnicity, Buddhism successfully offers a basis for mixing any portion of the population.  Buddhism has also been successful because it answers the mysteries behind why we are here, why we experience suffering and why we die.
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Arguably the most influential Chinese philosopher of his time, Laozi’s life reflects the ambiguity of his philosophy—mysterious and contradictory.  Questions asked about the Daodejing, the Taoist script attributed to Laozi, also lead to doubts over the actual existence of Laozi himself. However, despite the uncertaintly of Laozi’s existence as a physical being, his deification as a worshiped figure in China parallels similar global religious figures which emerged during Karl Jasper’s “axial age”(99). As a philosopher, or deity, Laozi continues to contribute to philosophical thought, and religious worship in modern days
  
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Buddhism, which has become a worldwide influence, had humble beginnings. The purpose of this article is to explore what Buddhism is and its origins, particularly in China.  It will do so by examining the life of Buddhism's founder: Siddhartha Gautama or Shakyamuni.  Next, Buddhism's main doctrines will be laid out.  Then, a look at how Buddhism spread after the life of Siddhartha and developed into two main schools.  Finally, the lives several of China's founding Buddhists will be explored. 
 
  
  
  
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[[File:Laozi.jpg]]Laozi can be argued to be one of the most influential figures in Chinese History.  His life reflects the ambiguity of his philosophy—mysterious and contradictory.  Questions asked about the Daodejing, the Taoist script attributed to Laozi, also lead to doubts over the actual existence of Laozi himself. However, despite the uncertaintly of Laozi’s existence as a physical being, his deification as a worshiped figure in China parallels similar global religious figures which emerged during Karl Jasper’s “axial age”(99). As a philosopher, or deity, Laozi continues to contribute to philosophical thought, and religious worship in modern days.
 
  
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== '''Origins''' ==
 
   
 
   
  
 
[[File:Presentation_Laozi.pptx]]
 
[[File:Presentation_Laozi.pptx]]
 
-Nice job with the presentation yesterday.  --[[User:Tcrale|Tcrale]] 00:17, 11 October 2012 (UTC)
 
-Nice job with the presentation yesterday.  --[[User:Tcrale|Tcrale]] 00:17, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Revision as of 08:16, 11 October 2012

Typical renderings of Laozi depict him as an old man with long white hair and beard.

Arguably the most influential Chinese philosopher of his time, Laozi’s life reflects the ambiguity of his philosophy—mysterious and contradictory. Questions asked about the Daodejing, the Taoist script attributed to Laozi, also lead to doubts over the actual existence of Laozi himself. However, despite the uncertaintly of Laozi’s existence as a physical being, his deification as a worshiped figure in China parallels similar global religious figures which emerged during Karl Jasper’s “axial age”(99). As a philosopher, or deity, Laozi continues to contribute to philosophical thought, and religious worship in modern days









Origins

File:Presentation Laozi.pptx -Nice job with the presentation yesterday. --Tcrale 00:17, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

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