1. TAO OF POOH Fitz—FALL 2013

2. GROUP DISCUSSION—Foreword-pg. 21 • In groups, discuss and respond to the following on a separate sheet of paper. Each group needs to submit one response sheet; however, individuals are encouraged to write down their responses as well in order to study for the test. • 1. In the foreword, who is Pooh talking to and what does the content in the foreword reveal about the purpose in writing The Tao of Pooh? • 2. What does the narrator say about Taoism only existing in the East (i.e—does he believe that it only exists in the East or does he have a differing opinion) ? What does he use to prove his point (identify the evidence he uses to prove his point)? • 3. “The How of Pooh”—Discuss the Vinegar Tasters. Who is pictured in the painting? Name the three of them. • 4. Identify and discuss the ways each Vinegar Taster is presented and how each Vinegar Taster views the world. • 5. Name the main Taoist writing. • 6. From the Taoist point-of-view—where do bitterness and sourness come from and why? • 7. Discuss the concept “The Uncarved Block”. • 8. Why is the word “Confuse” capitalized? • 9. Describe the two Chinese symbols/characters used to represent P’u. • 10. Why is Pooh the ‘hero’ of Winnie the Pooh?

3. TAO OF POOH—Reading Quiz 1 • 1. Discuss the concept of the Uncarved Block. • 2. What is “the Confusionist, Dessicated Scholar”? • 3. Which Winnie the Pooh character exemplifies the Dessicated Scholar? • 4. Why is putting names to things so vital to the Dessicated Scholar? • 5. What does the narrator argue is a potential ‘issue’ with always having to define and name things? 6. Identify and discuss the three vinegar tasters. Who are they and what is their perspective on the world? REVIEW OF TAOISM, CONFUCIANISM and BUDDHISM—Identify which philosophy goes with the following concepts, terms and people. 7. Lao-Tsu 8. Kung Fu’Tse 9. Tao TeChing 10. “The Way” 11. “If the mat is not straight, the Master will not sit.” • Reverence for the ancestors. • Must transcend the world of dust. • Life is full of attachments. **WHEN YOU FINISH, BEGIN READING THE NEXT SECTION OF The Tao of Pooh—Quiz Thursday, November 14– read through page 67

4. . • READING SECTION TWO—pgs37-65 –Important: The following questions are up page 46. Be sure to read and take notes on pgs 46-67 on your own before Thursday. • Instructions: Using your book, read and respond to the following questions in class. This is due at the end of the period. This assignment will count as a double homework grade. All answers must be written in complete sentences. All answers need to be recorded on a separate sheet of paper. • 1. What are the limitations of cleverness? • 2. Why does a clever person typically change his/her opinions? • 3. In 1 paragraph, explain a person’s “Inner Nature”. • 4. Explain Tigger’s perspective on life. How does this perspective cause problems for him? • 5. Explain the saying, “One disease, long life; no disease, short life.” • 6. Why is it so important to recognize and understand your own Inner Nature? This response should be at least one-to-two paragraphs. • 7. Why is it so important to know one’s limitations?