R
redhen
Guest
Thought I’d share this course syllabus on Taoism I found. It’s brutally honest.
uga.edu/religion/syl/4403rk.htm
“many Westerners have fallen victim to ignorant commercializations falsely marketed as “Taoism”—such as that found in mindless fluff like The Tao of Pooh, or in pseudo-translations of the Tao te ching by self-absorbed dilettantes who cannot even read the text in its original language, and do not even think that they, or you, ought to bother.”
““…cherry-picked” elements of other cultures’ religions, for the ignoble purpose of deluding alienated Westerners who are “seeking truth” but are unwilling either to seek it within their own cultural heritage or to invest themselves in the effort and sacrifice needed to achieve an authentic appreciation of the religions of others. If you seek to “find yourself” in Taoism, please understand that Taoism is not about “you,” and neither is this course”
" Taoism is not an abstract “timeless wisdom” that simply consists of warm, fuzzy ideas suitable for, or even necessarily available for, appropriation by modern Westerners. Rather, Taoism is a specific set of cultural traditions that evolved within the historical context of ancient, medieval, and modern China, evolving to meet the spiritual needs of people in specific historical situations."
Wow, way to increase class enrollment.
Have to give kudos to Professor Kirkland for splashing potential students with this bucket of cold water.
uga.edu/religion/syl/4403rk.htm
“many Westerners have fallen victim to ignorant commercializations falsely marketed as “Taoism”—such as that found in mindless fluff like The Tao of Pooh, or in pseudo-translations of the Tao te ching by self-absorbed dilettantes who cannot even read the text in its original language, and do not even think that they, or you, ought to bother.”
““…cherry-picked” elements of other cultures’ religions, for the ignoble purpose of deluding alienated Westerners who are “seeking truth” but are unwilling either to seek it within their own cultural heritage or to invest themselves in the effort and sacrifice needed to achieve an authentic appreciation of the religions of others. If you seek to “find yourself” in Taoism, please understand that Taoism is not about “you,” and neither is this course”
" Taoism is not an abstract “timeless wisdom” that simply consists of warm, fuzzy ideas suitable for, or even necessarily available for, appropriation by modern Westerners. Rather, Taoism is a specific set of cultural traditions that evolved within the historical context of ancient, medieval, and modern China, evolving to meet the spiritual needs of people in specific historical situations."
Wow, way to increase class enrollment.
Have to give kudos to Professor Kirkland for splashing potential students with this bucket of cold water.