老子-道家思想-英文_哲学_高等教育_教育专区.ppt

Lao zi and Taoism Lu Xun said: China roots deep in Taoism. If one wants to comprehend Chinese history and culture, one must comprehend Taoism first.  Yin  and Yang The light, white Yang moving up blends into the dark, black Yin moving down. Yin and Yang are dependent opposing forces that flow in a natural cycle, always seeking balance. Though they are opposing, they are not in opposition to one another. As part of the Tao, they are merely two aspects of a single reality. Each contains the seed of the other, which is why we see a black spot of Yin in the white Yang and vice versa. They do not merely replace each other but actually become each other through the constant flow of the universe. The symbol is a visual depiction of the intertwined duality of all things in nature, a common theme in?Taoism. It is believed to be derived from the Taijitu? (Diagram of the Ultimate Power). Yin yang are complementary opposites within a greater whole. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, although yin or yang elements may manifest more strongly in different objects or at different times. Yin yang constantly interacts, never existing in absolute stasis. The concept of yin and yang is often symbolized by various forms of the?Taijitu?symbol, for which it is probably best known in western cultures. The nature of yin–yang In?Taoist?philosophy, yin and yang arise together from an initial quiescence or emptiness (wuji, sometimes symbolized by an empty circle), and continue moving in tandem (双) until?quiescence（静止）?is reached again. Yin and yang are always opposite and equal qualities. Further, whenever one quality reaches its peak, it will naturally begin to transform into the opposite quality: for example, grain that reaches its full height in summer (fully yang) will produce seeds and die back in winter (fully yin) in an endless cycle. It is impossible to talk about yin or yang without some reference to the opposite, since yin and yang are bound togeth