Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF AGUSAN DEL SUR

Learners’ Activity Sheets

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS
AND BELIEF SYTEMS
Grade 11
Quarter 2 – Week 5
The brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and
related issues of Taoism

D.O Plaza Government Center, Patin-ay Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur

[email protected]
(085) 839-5456
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF AGUSAN DEL SUR

Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems– Grade 11

Learners’ Activity Sheet
Quarter 2 - Week 5 Analyze the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices,
and related issues of Taoism

First Edition, 2021

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D.O Plaza Government Center, Patin-ay Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur

[email protected]
(085) 839-5456
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
CARAGA REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF AGUSAN DEL SUR

LEARNERS’ ACTIVITY SHEETS

Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems
Grade 11
Quarter 2, Week 5

Name of Learner: ______________________________ Grade & Section: ________

School: ______________________________________ Date: ____________
Teacher: _____________________________________ Score:____________

I. Learning Competency

Analyzed the brief History, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and
related issues of Taosim.

II. Key Concepts

The Dao is the origin of all beings whose essence is nothing. Chinese art,
particularly the development of landscape painting, nature poetry, and garden culture
was influenced by Daoism, a philosophy which flourished in China during the late Bronze
Age and emphasizes humanity‟s relationship with nature. In this lesson, we will know
more about another Daoic religion— Daoism—and understand its historical development
and its relevance to Chinese society and culture. Daoism functioned as a philosophy of
abandonment and withdrawal from the rampant warfare and social unrest which
characterized the reign of the Zhou dynasty---a period of constant struggle for power,
wealth, and prestige. It began in the state of Chu in the southern part of the present
Hunan province.
The ultimate goal of Daoists was to conform to the great pattern of nature, which
is called Dao, or “The Way.” As a philosophy, Daoism focuses on the great mysteries of
the Dao; as a religion, its goal is to achieve long life and, ultimately, immortality.
SYMBOLS

 The Yin and Yang is the most well-known Daoist religious symbol.
It is an image composed of a circle divided into two swirling parts:
one black and the other white. Within each swirling or teardrop-
shaped half is a smaller circle of the opposite color.
 the Yin and Yang symbol signifies the perfect harmonic balance in
the universe. For example, day and night; birth and death.
 According to Daoist cosmology, the big circle signifies the Tao
 (Dao), the source of existence. The black and white teardrop-shaped halves signify the
Yin-qi and Yang-qi, known as the primordial feminine and masculine energies,
respectively. Daoists believe that the interplay of the Yin-qi and Yang-qi created the
manifest world.

ORIGINS

 Taoism (Also known as Daoism) is a Chinese Philosophy attributed to Lau Tzu

(c. 500 BCE) which contributed to the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural
areas of China and became the official religion of the country under the Tang Dynasty.
 Taoism therefore both a philosophy and a religion.
 It emphasizes doing what is natural and “going with the flow” in accordance with
the Tao or Dao , a cosmic force which flows through all things and binds and releases
them.
 The original belief may or may not have included practices such as ancestor and
spirit worship, but both principles are observed by many Taoist today and have been for
centuries.
 Taoism exerted a great influence during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and the
emperor Xuanzong (reigned 712-756 CE) decreed it a state religion, mandating that
people keep Taoist writings in their home.
 Lao-Tzu believed in the harmony of all things and that people could live easily
together if they only considered each other‟s feelings occasionally and recognized that
their self-interest was not always in the interest of others.

SACRED SCRIPTURE

 The Tao-Te-Ching is not a „scripture‟ in any way. It is a book of Poetry presenting

the simple way of following the Tao and living life at peace with one‟s self, others, and
the world of changes.
 Typical verse advises, “ Yield and overcome/ Empty and become full/ Bend and
become straight”.
 The Tao-Te-Ching is an attempt to remind people that they are connected to
others and to the earth and that everyone could live together peacefully if people would
only be mindful of how their thoughts and actions affect themselves, others, and the
earth.

CONCEPT/ BELIEFS

 Dao means “the way”, is an essential concept in Taoism which is said to be

undetectable, indistinct, shapeless, and indefinable. It is the foundation of all being,
and the way in which nature and the universe exist.
 Deity/ God, Taoism does not have God, for they believe that the universe
originated from the Dao, which created and controls the universe and distantly
guides things on their own way.
 Te/ De, usually translated as virtue, but this translation uses some Confucian ideas
and can be confusing. Another way of looking at Te is an awareness of the Tao
together with the capabilities that enable a person to follow the Tao.
 Wu Wei: No Behavior, is neither an ideal of absolute inaction nor a mere “not-
overdoing.” It is actions so well in accordance with things that their authors leave no
traces of themselves in their work. There is no true achievement without wuwei
 because every deliberate intervention in the natural course of things will sooner or
later turn into the opposite of what was intended and will result in failure.
 Yin Yang, is the principle of natural and complementary forces, patterns and things
that depend on one another and do not make sense on their own.
 Qi, is the basic material of all that exists. It animates life and furnishes functional
power of events. Qi is the root of the human body; Its quality and movement
determine human health.
 Fatalism, Daoism has often been criticized for propagating laziness or espousing a
fatalistic attitude in life by letting nature take its course and reminding Daoist to just
go with the flow.
 Superstition, there is a misconception that Daoism involves sorcery, which
includes that drawing of signs, chants, and other practices which led to the notion
that Daoism promotes superstitious practices.
 Urban Development. Daoist believe in the dictum “ leave nature alone and nature
will thrive”. Daoism has advocated the utopian vision of society characterized by
order and harmony.

III. Guided Practice:

Activity 1- Check Point!
Directions: Write True if the statement is correct and False if not.
___________1. Lao Tzu is the founder of Taoism.
___________2. Lao Tzu believed in the harmony of all things and that people could live easily
together if they only considered each other‟s feelings.
___________3. Lao Tsing is a book of poetry presenting the simple way of following the Tao and
living life at peace with one‟s self, others and the world of changes.
___________4. Wu Wei means “doing everything” or “ Full-action activities”.
___________5. Te is the foundation of all being, and the way in which nature and the universe exist.

IV. Independent Practice

Activity 2
A. Direction: Answer the following questions in your notebook.

1. How did Daoism try to address the problem of social disorder in China during the Zhou
period?
2. Why is Daoism often misunderstood as a fatalistic and superstitious philosophy/religion?
3. What aspect of Daosim can we adopt as Filipinos that will help us improve our society?
4. Why is Daoism often described as a critique to Confucianism? How is it possible for the
Chinese to adopt the two philosophies in their way of life?

V. Application

Activity 3

Direction: Write an essay. You will be graded based on the rubric below.

1. What aspect of Daoism can we adopt as Filipinos that will help us improve our
society?
Rubrics:

VI. Assessment

Activity 4
A. Identification. Select the correct answer from the pool of words.

_____1. A philosophy which emphasizes humanity‟s relationship with nature.

_____2. The origin of all beings whose essence is nothing.
_____3. A period known for the constant struggle for power, wealth, and prestige.
_____4. Place where Daoism began
_____5. Old master
_____6. . Chinese historian who wrote a biography of the founder of Daoism in the historical
records.
_____7. Gatekeeper who requested the founder of Daoismto write a book for him before leaving
Han Ku Pass
_____8. Title of the said book
_____9. Another important figure in Daoism.
____10. Virtue or proper adherence to Dao.

B. Matching Type. Write the letter of the correct answer.

Column A Column B

_____1. Yin-yang a. Virtue

_____2. De b. the way of nature
_____3. Daodejing c. action through inaction
_____4. Dao d. classic of the Way
_____5. Wu-wei e. balance of nature
_____6. Qi/ Chi f. natural energy
_____7. Yin g. active force
_____8. Yang h. passive force
_____9. Inaction in nature i. absence of desire
_____10. Non-competition in emptiness j. contentment with what is
VII. Enrichment Activities

Activity 5
Directions: Watch a video about “The Dao of Pooh” (based on a book with the same title by
Benjamin Hoff). Based on your understanding of Winnie-the-Pooh characters, how would you
describe the traits of the following characters? Which of them possess the Daoist ideals? Why?

Criteria Description Points

Content The paper was well- 10
written with ideas
Analysis Analysis was clear and 10
concise based on the
video
Total 20

VIII. Answer Key

5. FALSE
4. FALSE
3. FALSE
2. TRUE
1. TRUE Answers may vary.

Activity 1 Activity 2

Guided Practice Independent Practice

IX. References

Book Sources:

Jose, M..D 2016. Understanding the nature of religion. Introduction to world religions and belief
systems. Vibal Group, Inc.: Quezon City, Philippines.

Internet Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y37sjMPEqwY&t=2250s (Introduction to World Religions

and Belief Systems - Thursday Week5 Q4 ETUlay)