East Asian Taoism A Definition the Term "Pu" in Taoism Share Flipboard Email Print Olwenn Cudennec / EyeEm / Getty Images Taoism Origins Principles By Elizabeth Reninger Elizabeth Reninger Taoism Expert M.S., Sociology and Philosophy, University of Wisconsin–Madison B.S., Mathematics and Women's Studies, Northwestern University M.S.O.M., Southwest Acupuncture College–Santa Fe Elizabeth Reninger is a Taoist practitioner of qigong, acupuncture, and tuina massage. She is the author of several books on spirituality, including "Physics, Philosophy & Nondual Spiritual Inquiry." Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on June 25, 2019 The Chinese word "Pu" is often translated as "the uncarved block," and refers to a state of pure potential which is the primordial condition of the mind before the arising of experience. The Taoist concept of Pu points to perception without prejudice, i.e. beyond dualistic distinctions such as right/wrong, good/bad, black/white, beautiful/ugly. It is a state of mental unity which places the Taoist practitioner into alignment with the Tao. The principle of Pu had political overtones at some points in Chineses history. During the Warring States period (485 to 221 BCE), for example, in opposition to the Confucianist championing of intrusive manipulative government, as represented by the elaborate carving of jade into intricate shapes, early Taoists championed the idea of a simple, hands-off "uncarved block of wood" approach to government. Closely connected to this was the idea of Wu Wei--effective action through non-action. To Taoists, good government and ethical life involved not exercising human willpower over one's self and others, but in quiet acquiescence to the power of the Tao. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Reninger, Elizabeth. "A Definition the Term "Pu" in Taoism." Learn Religions, Jan. 1, 2021, learnreligions.com/definition-of-pu-3182628. Reninger, Elizabeth. (2021, January 1). A Definition the Term "Pu" in Taoism. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/definition-of-pu-3182628 Reninger, Elizabeth. "A Definition the Term "Pu" in Taoism." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/definition-of-pu-3182628 (accessed June 8, 2023). copy citation