Tao: * see Endnote <A>

Chinese word signifying 'way' or 'path', sometimes more loosely 'doctrine' or 'principle'  In the context of traditional Chinese philosophy & religion, Tao is the natural order of the universe whose character human intuition must discern in order to realize the potential for individual wisdom.  This intuitive knowing of "life" cannot be grasped as just a concept but is known through actual living experience of one's everyday being.  The founder of Taoism, Laozi, in the Tao Te Ching explains that the Tao is not a 'name' for a 'thing' but the underlying natural order of the Universe whose ultimate essence is difficult to circumscribe due to it being non conceptual yet evident' in one's being of aliveness.  The Tao is "eternally nameless" to be distinguished from the countless 'named' things which are considered to be its manifestations, it is the reality of life before its descriptions of it.

 

art of gardening (religious art in Chinese Culture): * see Endnote <B>

Chinese gardens have evolved over 3,000 years & encompasses the vast gardens of the Chinese emperors & imperial family, built for pleasure & to impress, as well as the more intimate gardens created by scholars, poets, former government officials, soldiers & merchants, made for reflection & escape from the outside world.  They create an idealized miniature landscape, which is meant to express the harmony between man & nature.  Typically they are enclosed by walls & includes 1 or more ponds, rock works, trees & flowers and an assortment of halls & pavilions within the garden, all connected by winding paths and zig-zag galleries. By moving from structure to structure, visitors can view a series of carefully composed scenes, similar to unrolling a scroll of landscape paintings.

 

Chinese landscape (nature of, meandering): * see Endnote <C>

regarded as the highest form of Chinese painting, landscape painting developed much earlier than in the West, during the Warring States period (475–221 BC) when artists began to represent the world around them.  It owes its special character to the Taoist (Daoist) tradition.  Spengler dates the Chinese Culture from the Spring period (1300-800 BC), Summer period (800-500 BC), Autumn (480-230 BC) and finally Winter (250 BC- 71 AD).  In his specification the examples below come in late Winter after the Culture and even the Civilization have been long dead.