Asian Philosophy

Unit 1B: Asian Philosophy: The Inner Quest

Students will examine three major schools of Asian philosophy – Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism – and the impact of these philosophies upon historical and modern thought.

Interesting Links:

Cool Link on the History of Eastern Philosophy
Common East v. West Perceptions
Humorous Skit: “What Kind of Asian Are You?”

Be sure to visit the individual pages on Confucianism, Toaism, and Buddhism to review your notes and view additional resources.

Content /Curriculum Standards RL1 – 7, W2, W5, W9, W10, SL1, SL3, SL4L1, L2, L5, L6, RI1, RI2

Objectives Read & compare ancient Asian literature/philosophy to modern day life & other literature.

Essential Questions What sources of wisdom & guidance are important in your life?  What does a person whose life has meaning look like?  What is happiness? How does one achieve happiness? What are the differences between Eastern and Western thought? What is the current impact of Eastern thinking upon Western society – and why? Unit Texts From Confucian Analects “The Vinegar Tasters” (painting) from Tao de Ching Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff Seven Blind Mice, Ed Young (children’s book and Chinese parable) Zen Teachings and Parables “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” (connection poem) “The Four Rabbinim” (prose) “The Starry Night,” Van Gogh (painting); “The Starry Night,” Anne Sexton (poem), p. 78 “I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer,” Walt Whitman (poem) Paradise of the Blind, Duong Thu Hong (gifted) Specific Unit Vocabulary: Confucianism Taoism Buddhism humanity, gentleman, ritual parable maxim anecdote Yin and Yang Li Ren Tao P’u (The uncarved block) Wu Wei Paradox Balance Harmony Efficiency Interdependency Flow Rhetorical Devices, continued Connotation Denotation Figurative Language Metaphor Meter Personification Plot Prose Repetition Rhyme scheme Simile Symbol Theme