wu-wei

[ woo-wey ]

noun

1. (in philosophical Taoism) action accomplishing its purpose in accordance with the natures of things and events.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wu-wei¹

From the Chinese word wúwéi literally, without action

Example Sentences

Wong, a minister of a religious organization called the Wu-Wei Tien Tao Association, was detained in Oregon in 1999 after the U.S. government concluded she had entered the country illegally.

From Reuters

During a one-hour argument in the case, the liberals on the nine-member court seemed sympathetic to the plight of Kwai Fun Wong, a minister of a religious organization called the Wu-Wei Tien Tao Association.

From Reuters

Taoism encourages a principle of non-force, or wu-wei, as the means to live harmoniously with the Tao.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the main element of Lao Tzŭ's doctrine, the doctrine of wu-wei, "passive achievement".

From Project Gutenberg