Tafero’s Lesson Plan of the Day – Chinese Studies – Taoism – Zhuangzi

Lesson 7 – Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi

1. Discuss issues raised by Laozi’s Tao Te Ching poems 11-20
2. Discuss Zhuangzi and 5 of his pieces (please include Butterfly fable) (40 min)

(Discuss content of above material)

1. Discuss The Unchartered Way
2. Discuss Beauty
3. Discuss Ambition
4. Discuss The Void
5. Discuss The Unkind World
6. Discuss Unselfishness
7. Discuss Moderation
8. Discuss Our Animal Nature
9. Discuss Favor
10. Discuss Wise Men
11. Discuss Learning

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
Discuss peripheral material) (Zhuangzi)

1. Discuss non-action
2. Discuss the amassing of goods
3. Discuss the king
4. Discuss the equality of nature
5. Discuss inadequacy

Additional Internet Research Links For This Lesson:

General Resource:

http://www.easternstudiesdatabase.cn

Wu-Wei

http://www.jadedragon.com/archives/june98/tao.html

Taoism and Nature

http://portalproductions.com/spiritnature/Taoism.htm

Lesson 8 – Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi

1. Discuss issues raised by Laozi’s Tao Te Ching poems 21-30
2. Discuss next 5 Chuang Tzu pieces (40 min)

Discuss contents of above materials)

1. Discuss The Crooked
2. Discuss Effort
3. Discuss Conforming
4. Discuss Balance
5. Discuss Warmongers

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
(Discuss Peripheral materials) (Zhuangzi)

1. Discuss the marsh pheasant
2. Discuss deception
3. Discuss emotion
4. Discuss doubt
5. Discuss evolution of nature

Additional Internet Research Links For This Lesson:

General Resource
http://www.easternstudiesdatabase.cn

Taoism and the Crooked

http://carolinanavy.com/fleet2/f2/zreligion/Taoismhall/cas/4.html

Taoism and War

http://www.hlu.edu/news/Event/2003/4_24ReligionWar.html

Lesson 9 – TaoTe Ching and Zhuangzi

• Discuss Laozi’s TaoTe Ching Poems 31-50
• Discuss the next 8 pieces of Zhuangzi (40 min.)

Areas of Concern for Testing and Papers

• Ancient origins of China
• Ancient Origins of Taoism
• Development of Early Taoism
• Comparison of Laozi and Zhuangzi

1. Discuss Laozi’s and Zhuangzi’s poetry and contrast them.
2. Discuss Form Without Form
3. Discuss Shade
4. Discuss Impartiality
5. Discuss Little Paths
6. Discuss Taboos
7. Discuss Skill
8. Discuss Ignorance

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

1. Discuss Peripheral materials ( Zhuangzi)
2. Discuss Humility
3. Discuss Desire
4. Discuss The Empty boat
5. Discuss People vs. Possessions
6. Discuss Being Still

Additional Internet Research Links For This Lesson:

General Resource
http://www.easternstudiesdatabase.cn

Taoist Humility

http://www.digiserve.com/mystic/Taoist/Chuang_Tzu/humble.html

Taoist Stillness

http://www.discovery.mala.bc.ca/web/normanam/tcpg3.html