You are viewing 6th grade curriculum
Lesson Title: Understanding Daoism through study of the Daodejing
Goals for lesson
- To introduce students to basic ideas of Daoism.
- To identify ways that Daoism has influenced the culture and ways of living in China.
- To become familiar with how the feminine and male powers are described in the Daodejing, and be able to point out examples of Monkey’s behavior as expressing one of these two powers.
Standard met in Language Arts curriculum / Concepts and themes
- Reading to identify main ideas and supporting details.
- Explain the connections between texts to extend the meaning of each individual text.
Standard met in Social Studies curriculum / Concepts and themes
- Chinese culture was shaped by influences including Daoism.
Activity
- This lesson assumes that the students are familiar with a few of the Monkey stories so that they can analyze Monkey’s behavior. The link below contains a summary of some of the stories:
http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/036.html
- Split class into groups of four. Have each choose (or assign) a chapter of the Daodejing. What ideas does the chapter suggest? What images come to mind?
Use the following link for English translations of the Daodejing
http://www.chinapage.com/gnl.html
- A main idea in the Daodejing is that there are Yin and Yang powers in the universe, and each of us has both within us. (Yin and Yang translates to Female and Male in the Daodejing translations). Yin power is at the root of creation. In the universe of non-being and being, the creating and nurturing of being is done primarily by feminine power. It “opens and loosens the gate of heaven,” “lies low,” and in its stillness and lowness “overcomes” Yang power. Yang power in the Daodejing is what you see when states are organized, power is distributed among rulers and their aides, armies go to war, and soldiers kill each other. The Daodejing believes that if one follows the way of the universe and maintains balance and harmony between Yang and Yin power, there is enough for every living thing. This is one example of Yin (feminine) and Yang (masculine) Taoist philosophy. All things contain both Yin and Yang.
Verses 6, 10, and 55 of the Daodejing specifically speak of these powers.
Have 3 groups of students study these and describe how Monkey’s behavior is governed by the Yang and the Yin powers at different times in the Monkey King stories.
Key Questions
- What are some of the way that Taoism affected Chinese thought and practical ways of living?