http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CHPHIL/CHPHIL.HTM

Please add any thing you wish be it links or what you think of the Chinese philosophy. The link above is actually about the history an give a basic idea of the time that each philosophy happened

A great way to understand China is to Philosophy and religions.

Pretty much that means Confucius (and the variations), Taoist (and the variations) and Chan Buddhism, but there are other players that should be look at as well, Moists (not Mao and not of 3 stooges fame either) Legalists, etc.

The influence of Confucius and Daoism cannot be understated in Chinese philosophy and religion. Apart from the Legalist movement, most philosophies have used Confucianism or Daoism as a base, and in many cases both. Even Chan Buddhism, originally Dhyana, mixed with Daoist philosophy.

It is surprising how similar Confucian and Daoist philosophy is given how different their starting positions were.

Can someone please explain to me the philosophy of yin and yang as it relates to Taoism? I understand that yin and yang are opposites and with out one the other can not exist but how does this relate to Taoism? Any help would be appreciated.

Taoist Philosophy

First there was Wuji which separated into Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang joined to make Taiji (not the martial art but opposites)

Yin > negative, dark, wet, cold, passive, female
Yang > active, positive, hot, bright, dry, male

Taiji
http://www.answers.com/topic/taiji

...
I understand that yin and yang are opposites and with out one the other can not exist
...

It's a common misunderstanding that yin and yang are "opposites". The better word to describe them is "complementary".

As for how it relates to Taoism... the whole philosophy is all about yin and yang and the interplay between the two. Well... unless you get into what some people call "religious" Taoism (the one you make offerings of food and incense to a pantheon of immortals).

The influence of Confucius and Daoism cannot be understated in Chinese philosophy and religion. Apart from the Legalist movement, most philosophies have used Confucianism or Daoism as a base, and in many cases both. Even Chan Buddhism, originally Dhyana, mixed with Daoist philosophy.

I like this. This perhaps can get the rust out of my philosophical gears. The Legge translation of the Rujia is my prized possession in my philosophical texts.

Confucianism in itself has a base in the Ancestral worship of ancient China, but Daoism is a bit of a struggle for me. Not in understanding (or lack thereof) but rather in how much I agree (or disagree) with various works.

Understanding Taoism and Confucius Maoist and Chan are important schools in understanding Chinese philosophy. Also Folk religion and the different sects help as well. The site gives a good basic outline but understanding the religious and historical fact will also help in getting a clearer picture of thought.

Well, lets cut with this superficial chit chat, and get down to something!

What shall it be? Buddhism, Daoism, or Confucianism?

Okay, from my perspective the most influential of the major philosophies of China (and East Asia in general) is found in the Analects, Mengzi's works, and the Doctrine of the Mean.

I would like to initiate a conversation on "Li" or "ritual propriety" as in my opinion, this ideal touches everything else that is philosophical or metaphysical in China...
Any takers?