EACS 21 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Tao Te Ching, Qigong, Huayan
Document Summary
All the world included in buddha body (tattoos on buddhas body) mahayana. Travelers would stop to take a rest for weeks/months. Many caves & grottoes for monks" residences. Emperor is at the apex of the system. Said to rule with the mandate of heaven. Class of political administrators to assist emperor. Constituted the ruling elite with a hold on power, prestige, education, culture. Humans have capacity for basic goodness (human nature essentially good) Buddhist interpretation: all living beings have capacity to be a buddha. One should study the traditions of ancient sages for peace & prosperity. Following their words & actions, one can become like them. Provides a humanistic education--transforms individuals into noble men (junzi) Economic upheaval, war, mayhem, breakage of law = society out of balance = suffering. Most important figures laozi (5th century bce) and zhuangzi (300 bce) Most important text known as daodejinh (the way & its power) Daoism is a sort of nature mysticism .
