As a member of the Western culture we view things very different from members of the Eastern culture (Taoist). Although there are good and bad traits of both comparing and contrasting both religions gives a new understanding of both religions. The Tao of Pooh written by Robert Hoff explains the religion of Taoism through Pooh and his friends. By using real life situation and personality characteristics it’s easy to identify the differences between the two cultures and religions.
In The Tao of Pooh, Robert Hoff uses the main characters to portray some of the characteristics of Taoism. Pooh portrays the perfect Taoist. By using these characters is easier to look at the basic requirements and how they compare to the Eastern religion. In the
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According to the Taoist religion it is simply better to be simple minded because when people overthink things they gain doubt and upset the balance of nature. Pooh simply does not put as much thought into things yet things turn out to go his way. People of the Western Culture can take this characteristic and apply it to their everyday lives. If they try to be more simple-minded like Pooh they might not overthink things as much and start to see the big picture rather than to try to grasp the tiny details. Being simple-minded can also be helpful when people of Eastern Culture, for example, Christians analyze the bible. Instead of looking at the tiny details which creates doubt we can simply look at the overall picture and share it with others. Rather than keep it to ourselves like Owl. If we possess some of Pooh personality qualities than it is easier to grasp and understand our own religions.
Based on The Tao of Pooh, the characters such as Pooh, Owl, Rabbit, help portray the differences between the Eastern and Western cultures by portraying certain character traits. These traits are used to explain if it affects the relationships between the heavens and the humans (Western religion). Also it helped me gain a new perspective of what characteristics are better in my life. Using these character traits it's easier to grasp and gain a new perspective
The first main principle of Taoism that is presented in this novel is the idea that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily contaminated and lost when that simplicity is altered. This principle is also known as the Uncarved Block. Winnie-the-Pooh is very significant in this principle of the Uncarved Block, because he illustrates the perfect example of an individual that follows this principle. Pooh always exists in his "natural state", he is...
"Main Concepts of Taoism: Yin and Yang." Taoism and the Taoist Arts. April 2002. http://www.taoistarts.net/main.html#yin LeGuin, Ursula K. The Lathe of Heaven. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers Inc., 2000.
“Wisdom, Happiness, and Courage are not waiting somewhere out beyond sight at the end of a straight line; they are part of a continuous cycle that begins right here. They are not only the ending but the beginning as well” (Hoff 137). In Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff explains the fundamentals of Taoism through the cute characters of Winnie the Pooh. Each character’s action helps explains how Taoism works and affects our everyday lives.
In the Tao of Pooh the author, Benjamin Hoff, uses the from world-famous children's book/TV show character, Winnie the Pooh in order to explain the basics of Taoism. He observed many of the other various characters before coming to the conclusion that Winnie the Pooh, through his actions, was the character that he felt would be able to best explain the principles of Taoism. One of the most important principles of Taoism is "the Uncarved Block". The main principle behind the Uncarved Block is that things in their original state contain their own natural power, a power that is easily corrupted and lost when simplicity is changed.
In the novel Lewis argues that modern education is no longer teaching students about Tao. According to Lewis, Tao is the values that are shared by all the religions and in philosophy of how human should live a moral life. As stated by Lewis “It is the reality beyond all predicates, the abyss that was before the Creator Himself. It is the Nature, it is the way, the Road” (Lewis, 18). The Tao also tells us that there is truth in the world and that it was
...ccording to it. It is the level of understanding and respect a Taoist has with nature, everyone around them, and everything. This mystery is the last feature that is important to defining a religion.
Owl's character as knowledge over amusement may be boring to children listening to his intellectual rambles e.g. Roo's boredom with the encyclopedia. Hence, characters like Winnie the Pooh, who brings amusement, may seem more attractive than Owl. While the character of CR is used to demonstrate the relationship between children and adults by the use of many parallels, speech and actions, it is the animals that represent the author's construction of different types of childhood. In addition to this, the animals are also the providers of amusement and entertainment which draw children's love and interest.
Taoism and Confucianism are two major Chinese philosophies. I say that they are philosophies because religions tend to worship deities and Taoism and Confucianism don’t seems to worshiping anything. To some they appear to be different, even clashing but to me, they seem very much alike but they come at it from different points of view. Both philosophies strive to reach harmony but in to very different ways. I do believe the reason they can co-exist is because they see Tao from two different ways.
“Taoism is the Religion of the Tao, a term meaning Path or Way, but denoting in this peculiar case the way, course or movement of the Universe, her processes and methods. In other words, Taoism is the Religion of Heaven and Earth, of the Cosmos, of the World or Nature in the broadest sense of these words.” (De Groot 66)
The first definition of Tao is "the way of ultimate reality." This means that Tao cannot be percieved, defined, talked about, or thought of. It is too big a concept for humans to comprehend. As in the first line of the Tao Te Ching (the Taoist text meaning The Way and Its Power): "The Tao that can be spoken is not the true Tao." This is very similar to the Buddhist idea of Nirvana or Enlightenment. Nirvana cannot be understood by one who has not attained it. Even when one has reached Nirvana, he cannot describe it to others, but only help others to reach it as well.
Tao-te Ching (in English pronounced “dow deh jing”) is believed to be written by Lao-tzu (6th century B.C). However, it is not for certain that he wrote the book. Lao-tzu is translated as “Old Master”. He was born in the state of Ch’u in China. It’s been said that he worked in the court of the Chou dynasty. The day that he was leaving the court to start his own life, the keeper of the gate urged him to write his thoughts as a book. Lao-tzu’s work mostly illustrates Taoism –a religion founded by Chang Tao-ling A.D. 150. His main purpose in this piece is practicing peace, simplicity, naturalness, and humility. Lao-tzu believes that people are overloaded with temporal objects in this world. He recommends his readers to let go of everything and always keep the balance in anything. In my opinion, Lao-tzu would more likely dislike our government and the way that people live nowadays. The reason is because majority of the people are attached to secular things. To paraphrase the famous, people have materialistic characteristics in today’s world which is completely against Lao-tzu’s view.
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like” (Lau Tzu). Born into a life of noodles and relaxation Po, a chubby panda, always wanted to be a Kung Fu master. Out of nowhere an opportunity arises to have his dream become reality. Po, like any normal panda snatches up this once in a lifetime opportunity and runs with it. But when the going gets tough, he doesn’t know if this is the life he was meant to live. While the film was meant for enjoyment, DreamWorks has incorporated clear examples of the three major Chinese Schools of Thought: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
Buddhism and Taoism provide similar cultivating styles they both master sages where born around 2500 years ago in Asia. The path for rightful thinking which evangelize simplicity and contemplation is shared between the two religions. The details that surrounded earthly existence did not play a vital role within the two religions. Both religious views for the safety of animals are a shared belief.
Even though Taoism and many other folk religions have shaped the Chinese mind, Confucianism remains, by any historical measure, its chief mentor” (Novak 113). Therefore, since the two religions grew up together, there are similarities, such as their views on humans, attempting to find harmony in life and in nature, and serve as guides for their followers through self-cultivation and improvement techniques. Confucianism believes that their congregation should have human conduct over the idea of God in their lives, whereas Taoism is formed on the belief that its congregation should create a relationship with nature. This is pointed out by Smith in Experiencing the World’s Religions, “Confucius represents the classical, Lao Tzu the romantic; Confucius stresses social responsibility, Lao Tzu praises spontaneity and naturalness; Confucius focus is on the human, Lao Tzu’s on what transcends the human” (Smith 218).
...g through these tales. And in an ironic way it gives a sense of harmony among parents and their children through all the rebellion and decision making. These tales offer truths and opportunities of expression. That’s why I think they are important.