What is Taoism?

Taoism, also known as Daoism, is a nature-based philosophy. It observes

nature, seeing the observer and the observed as one entire system. It functioned as a
philosophy of abandonment and withdrawal from the rampant warfare and social
unrest which characterized the reign of the Zhou dynasty---a period of constant
struggle for power, wealth and prestige.

Taoism served as a protest of common people against the rising despotism of

rulers and served as a reaction to the growing firmness of the moralists, who were
followers of Confucius. The ultimate goal of Taoists was to conform to the great
pattern of nature, which is called Tao/Dao, or “The Way.” As a philosophy, Taoism
focuses on the great mysteries of the Tao; as a religion, its goal is to achieve long life
and ultimately immortality.

TAOIST CONCEPTS/BELIEFS
Taoism can be best understood by discussing its concepts and beliefs. Some of
its concepts include:

It is undetectable, indistinct, shapeless, and

Tao/Dao
indefinable. It is the foundation of all being, and
essential
the way in which nature and the universe exist.
concept and
All things come from it and are nourished by it,
https://nl.pinte creative
that is why sometimes the Tao is called “Mother.”
rest.com/pin/3 principle in
5451780188878 Tao is the origin of heaven and earth and it is
Taoism
6388/ also the way in which heaven and earth now live.
It encourages inaction in nature and
advocates the quiet and passive nature of a
Te/De person so that the Tao, or the creative principle
https://www.wi
sedecor.com/de “virtue” in the universe, may act through them without
cor/wall- interference. People should simply follow the Tao
art/kaiti-de-
virtue-2.html
and must do nothing on their own.
Wu-Wei “ It is a concept used to negate or limit human
"no behavior” action. It refers to the cancellation or restriction
https://www.th or “doing of human behavior, especially human activities.
eschooloflife.co
m/thebookoflife
nothing.” Wu-wei may refer to certain stages such as non-
/wu-wei-doing- behavior or doing nothing; taking as little action
nothing/ as possible; taking action spontaneously; taking
a passive attitude toward society; waiting for the
spontaneous transformation of things; and taking
action according to objective conditions and the
nature of things, or acting naturally. It advocates
a “go with the flow” attitude by cultivating a state
of being wherein our actions are in harmony with
the natural cycles of the universe. Laozi believed
that wu-wei can lead to a peaceful and
 harmonious society.
The concept was articulated by the Taoist
philosopher Zhuangzi who stated that “yin in its
Yin Yang highest form is freezing while yang in its highest
‘the law of form is boiling. The chilliness comes from heaven
everything’ while the warmness comes from the earth. The
https://en.wiki yet there is interaction of these two establishes he (harmony),
pedia.org/wiki/ no form being so it gives birth to things. Yin yang emphasizes
File:Yin_yang.sv
g seen.” complementarity, interconnectedness, and
interdependence of both sides seeking a new
balance with each other.
Qi/Chi
It is the fundamental substance of nature
“air’ or
and living beings, as well as life force. It refers to
http://www.fen “vapor”
matter which is continuous, energetic, and
gshuilondon.net “material
/qi-chi/what-is- dynamic. It is considered as the foundation of
force” or
qi-chi-in-feng- body and life.
shui “vital force”

SACRED SCRIPTURES

A. Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing)

It is Taoism’s foundational text meaning “The Book of the Way and its
Power.” Taoists regard this as the essential guide to living a full spiritual and
ethical life. It is a short book of around 5,000 Chinese characters which is
divided into 81 brief chapters filled with short, enigmatic paragraphs of advice
on life, and poetic descriptions of the nature of the universe.

B. Chuang Tzu

Like the Tao Te Ching, although it is attributed to a man named Chuang

Tzu (Zhuangzi), it is a collection of the wisdom of many different people
consisting delightful parables, metaphors, and poetic passages praised for its
high literary value which represents the most significant formulation of early
Taoist thought. It is an anthology of essays that make use of parables and
allegories which discusses spiritual freedom which makes one surpass the
limitations of one’s own mind which focuses in the relativity of things or nature
or the balance of yinyang.

WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES

 Ritual or liturgical expressions are important to the Taoist religion. These
include ritual initiation meant for purification and renewal in the life-cycle and
development of the human person. Taoist priests are licensed to perform rituals of
specific traditions such as:
1. exorcism, performed in cases of sickness with the goal of gaining victory over
the evil spirits; and
2. festivals, especially New Year.

In these rituals, incense is a central aspect, together with the sacrificial offering
of sacred writings such as paper charms which contain the prayers of individuals,
bearing their names and the intentions which are burned as part of the ritual. Those
who will perform such rituals are encouraged to prepare for them by fasting and by
having a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Humility and non-competition are among the most important virtues in Taoism
together with naturalness and naturalism, as well as non-aggression and passive rule
which manifest the fundamental virtue of Wu Wei. Physical and spiritual techniques
are just as important as ethical or moral techniques or practices. Taoists put
emphasis on ethical behavior by incorporating it into their practices. Instead of
initiating action, they wait for events to make action necessary, avoiding letting their
own desires and compulsions push them into doing things. Generally, Taoism, just
like other religions, disapprove of killing, stealing, lying, and promiscuity. It promotes
philanthropic, selfless, and humane behavior. Good behavior is seen as an essential
part not only of self-improvement but the world as a whole. To attain the spiritual
perfection like the sage, Taoists practice certain rituals which are listed below:

GOAL PRACTICES
Use of potions (led to the practice of alchemical experiments
which made lasting contributions in various fields such as
chemistry, medicine, and pharmacology)
To obtain
Practice meditation (includes experiments with one’s self,
longevity and
especially the body through the use of methods of inner
immortality
alchemy, associated with yoga and other forms of meditation)
Breathing technique (to be in contact with qi, for longevity and
to counter aging)
Jiao Festival (or the rite of cosmic renewal, celebrated to
rededicate the local temple and to renew the whole community
by cleansing it from suffering and hardships)
To dispel
Refrain from eating grain (based on the Taoist belief that
illness or
illness is caused by three corpse worms which reside in the
suffering
body, and eating grain will encourage these worms to stay)
Confession and purging of one’s sins (based on the belief that
illness may be caused by wrongdoings)