SACRED

SCRIPTURES
1. Tao Te Ching: This is the
central text of Taoism, and
is attributed to the
philosopher Lao Tzu. It
offers guidance on how to
live a meaningful and
fulfilling life in harmony
with the Tao.
2. Zhuangzi: This is a collection
of writings attributed to the
philosopher Zhuangzi, who is
considered to be one of the
founders of Taoism. The book
contains stories, parables, and
anecdotes that illustrate the
Taoist view of life.
3. I Ching: Also known as the
Book of Changes, this is a
divination text that has been
used in China for thousands of
years. It is based on a set of 64
hexagrams, each of which
represents a different aspect of
the world.
4. Liezi: This is another
important Taoist text,
attributed to the
philosopher Lie Yukou. It
contains a collection of
stories and parables that
illustrate the Taoist view of
the world.
5. Taoist Canon: This is a
collection of texts that was
compiled over a period of several
centuries. It contains a wide range
of Taoist writings, including
philosophical treatises, religious
texts, and manuals on alchemy
and meditation.
6. Nei-yeh: This is a Taoist
text that emphasizes the
importance of cultivating
inner stillness and
tranquility. It is often
studied alongside the Tao Te
Ching as a key Taoist text.
7. Daozang: This is a collection
of Taoist texts that was
compiled over several
centuries. It includes works on
philosophy, religion, alchemy,
meditation, and other aspects
of Taoist practice.
BELEIFS AND
CONCEPTS
1. Tao: At the heart of Taoism
is the concept of the Tao, which
can be translated as the Way or
the Path. The Tao is the
ultimate reality, the source of
all things, and the underlying
principle that governs the
universe.
2. Wu-wei: Wu-wei is the
Taoist concept of non-action or
effortless action. It is the idea
that we can achieve our goals
by allowing things to happen
naturally, rather than by
forcing them.
3. Yin and Yang: Yin and Yang are
two complementary forces that are
present in everything. Yin is
associated with darkness, femininity,
and passivity, while Yang is
associated with light, masculinity,
and activity. The goal in Taoism is to
achieve balance between these two
forces.
4. Inner Alchemy: Taoists believe
in cultivating inner peace and
harmony through practices such
as meditation, breathing
exercises, and visualization. The
goal is to transform the body and
mind, and to achieve a state of
enlightenment.
5. Nature and the Environment:
Taoists have a deep respect for
nature and the environment, and
believe that humans should live in
harmony with the natural world.
This means being mindful of our
impact on the environment and
living in a way that is sustainable.
6. Humility and Simplicity: Taoists
believe in the importance of humility
and simplicity, and seek to live a life
that is free from materialism and
excess. The goal is to find
contentment and inner peace in the
present moment, rather than striving
for external achievements.
7. Immortality: Taoists believe in
the possibility of achieving
immortality through spiritual
practices and the cultivation of
inner energy, known as qi. This is
not necessarily physical
immortality, but rather a state of
being in which one transcends the
limitations of the physical body.
8. Tao Te Ching: The Tao Te
Ching is the central text of
Taoism, and is attributed to the
philosopher Lao Tzu. It offers
guidance on how to live a
meaningful and fulfilling life in
harmony with the Tao.
9. Zhuangzi: The Zhuangzi is a
collection of writings attributed
to the philosopher Zhuangzi,
who is considered to be one of
the founders of Taoism. The
book contains stories, parables,
and anecdotes that llustrate the
Taoist view of life.
10. I Ching: The I Ching, also
known as the Book of Changes, is
a divination text that has been
used in China for thousands of
years. It is based on a set of 64
hexagrams, each of which
represents a different aspect of the
world.
DEITIES
AND
SPIRITUAL
BEINGS
1. Laozi: Laozi is the legendary
founder of Taoism and the
author of the Tao Te Ching. He
is often depicted as an old man
with a long white beard and is
revered as a wise and
compassionate teacher.
2. The Three Pure Ones: The
Three Pure Ones are the
highest deities in Taoism and
represent the three aspects of
the Tao: heaven, earth, and
humanity. They are believed to
have created the universe and
govern the forces of nature.
3. The Jade Emperor: The Jade
Emperor is the ruler of heaven
and the most powerful deity in
Taoism. He is associated with
the sun, the moon, and the stars
and is revered as a just and
benevolent leader.
4. Guan Yu: Guan Yu is a
legendary warrior and general
who lived during the Han
dynasty. He is worshipped as a
god of war and protection and
is often depicted with a long
beard and a green robe.
5. Zhang Daoling: Zhang Daoling
was a legendary Taoist sage who
lived during the Han dynasty. He
is revered as the founder of the
Way of the Celestial Masters, a
Taoist sect that emphasized
spiritual cultivation and healing.
6. The Eight Immortals: The
Eight Immortals are a group of
legendary figures in Taoism who
are believed to have achieved
immortality through spiritual
cultivation. Each Immortal is
associated with a specific aspect
of life, such as wealth, health, or
longevity.
7. The Kitchen God: The Kitchen
God is a household deity who is
worshipped for his ability to
bring goodluck and protect the
home. He is often depicted as an
old man with a large beard and is
believed to report on the behavior
of the family to the Jade
Emperor.
WORSHIP AND
OBSERVANCE
1. Meditation: Meditation is a key
practice in Taoism, as it is
believed to help cultivate inner
peace,spiritual insight, and
harmony with the Tao. Taoist
meditation can take many forms,
from sitting instillness to moving
meditation practices like Tai Chi
and Qigong.
2. Offerings: Taoists often
make offerings to the gods and
ancestors as a sign of respect
and gratitude. These offerings
can include food, incense,
flowers, and other symbolic
items.
3. Feng Shui: Feng Shui is the
practice of arranging one living
space in a way that is harmonious
with the natural flow of the
universe. It involves arranging
furniture and decor in specific
ways to promote balance and
harmony.
4. Taoist Holidays: There are
several holidays and festivals that
are associated with Taoism,
including the Lunar New Year,
the Birthday of Laozi, and the
Double Ninth Festival. These
holidays are often celebrated with
feasts, offerings, and other
rituals.
5. Spiritual Practices: Taoism
includes a wide range of spiritual
practices that are designed to
cultivate inner peace and
spiritual insight. These practices
can include breathing exercises,
visualization, and other forms of
inner alchemy.
SUBDIVISIONS
1. Philosophical Taoism: This branch of
Taoism is focused on the philosophical
teachings of Taoism, which emphasize the
importance of living in harmony with the Tao
or the natural way of the
universe.Philosophical-Taoism emphasizes
the cultivation of the inner self, simplicity,
and detachment from material possessions. It
also includes concepts such as Yin and Yang,
Wu Wei (non-action), and the Three
Treasures(compassion,frugality,and
humility).
2. Religious Taoism: This branch of
Taoism is focused on religious
practices, including the worship of
deities, ancestor worship, and the
use of talismans and divination.
Religious Taoism also includes a
focus on achieving immortality
through various practices such as
meditation, internal alchemy, and
the use of elixirs.
3. Quanzhen Taoism: Quanzhen Taoism
is a school of Taoism that emerged in the
12th century and emphasizes the
integration of Taoist and Buddhist
practices. It includes practices such as
meditation, martial arts, and alchemy,
and emphasizes the importance of
cultivating inner stillness and harmony
with the Tao.
4.Zhengyi-Taoism:Zhengyi Taoism
is a school of Taoism that
emphasizes the worship of a large
pantheon of deities and the use of
ritual practices. It is known for its
elaborate rituals and its focus on
achieving good fortune, health, and
prosperity through the worship of
deities.
5.Shangqing Taoism: Shangqing Taoism
is a Taoist school that emerged in the 4th
century and is focused on the cultivation
of the inner self through meditation and
visualization. It emphasizes the
importance of developing a connection
with the divine and achieving spiritual
transformation through various
practices such as breath control and
visualization.
6.Lingbao-Taoism:Lingbao
Taoism is a Taoist school that
emerged in the 4th century and
emphasizes the use of talismans and
rituals to achieve spiritual
transformation.
It includes practices such as
meditation, chanting, and ritual
offerings to deities.
SELECTED
ISSUES
Superstition: Some critics of
Taoism argue that certain
practices, such as seeking out
talismans or performing rituals
to ward off evil spirits, are
based on superstition rather
than evidence-based reasoning.
While fatalism is not a central tenet of
Taoism, some interpretations of Taoist
philosophy may include elements of
fatalism. Fatalism is the belief thatevents
are predetermined and humans have no
control over their fate. This idea can
conflict with the Taoist emphasis on the
importance of cultivating inner balance
and acting in accordance with the
natural flow of the universe.