TAOISM

TAOISM
Taoism (Daoism) is another world religion that is
native to China. It is generally believed to have
been founded by Lao Tzu (or Laozi), the
traditionally recognized author of the primary
foundational text of Taoism entitled Tao Te Ching
(or Dao-de Jing).
Lao Tzu Statue in Yuanyuan Taoist Temple in Guangzhou, China
 Ti me !
St or y
 SACRED
TEXTS
a) Tao Te Ching
b) Chuang Tzu
 a) TAO TE CHING
The Tao Te Ching (sometimes called the Laozi) is the
most important text of Taoism.
Tao basically means “way,” but the whole title has
been translated in various ways: sometimes as “The
Way and Its Power,” sometimes as “The Classic of the
Way’s Virtues,” sometimes as “True Classic of the
Way and the Power.”
 TAO TE CHING
Basically, the book talks about the “Tao” in
terms of its reality and fundamentality, how it
can be known, whether it can be expressed in
words, and its different manifestations in
various areas of life.
 b) CHUANG TZU
Next in importance to the Tao Te Ching is the
book that has been called
Chuang Tzu after the name of its recognized
lead writer, the Chinese
philosopher Chuang Tzu.
 b) CHUANG TZU
It which aims to expound and elaborate on
the teachings of the Tao Te Ching.
TAO AND RELATED
CONCEPTS
 The Nameless Origin
of the All Things
The Tao Te Ching begins with the following passages:

The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao.

The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth.
The named is the mother of myriad things.
 The Way and Harmony of Opposites
The Tao flows (moves and changes)
peacefully and leads to the harmony among
opposites. The / Ching, or the Book of
Changes, speaks of the natural way of
harmonizing the opposing forces in nature in
terms of the principle of the yin and yang.
Yin is the dark force (or principle), while
yang is the light force.
 Wu-Wei
What humans can only do is either go with the flow of nature or resist it.
Whatever humans do in relation to the Tao, however, will have
consequences.
Generally, interfering with the Tao, or the natural course of things, will
result in conflict, chaos, and damages; while going with its natural flow, or
living in harmony with the Tao, will result in peace, order, and preservation.
This is the Taoist concepts of Te and Wu-wei.
Taoist Deities
 The Three Pure Ones

The most important of the Taoist deities are the ones

constituting the so-called the Three Pure Ones or
Three Purities (called Sanjing or San Ching), which is
regarded as the Taoist version of the Trinity. These
gods are considered the pure manifestations of the Tao.
 The Three Pure Ones
• The first is called the “Jade Pure One” (Yuanshi Tianzun) or the “Primeval Lord of
the Heaven.” He is believed to be residing in the Heaven of Jade Purity. He is
described as eternal, limitless, without form, the source of everything, and the
administrator of Heaven. He is the highest Taoist deity.

• The second is called the “Supreme Pure One” or “Lord of the Numinous
Treasure” (Lingbao Tianzun). He is associated with the principle of yin and yang,
and is considered the source of Taoist knowledge and scripture (the Tao Te
Ching).

• The third is called the “Grand Pure One” or “Lord of the Way and its Virtue”
(Daode Tianzun). He is believed to have been manifested or incarnated in the
form of Lao Tzu. He is depicted as having pure white beard, symbolizing his
being an eminent, aged ruler.
ISSUES
 Taoists Practices
Taoist Meditation

It’s goal is to harmoniously relate with the divinities or sacred

elements of one’s body. It is believed that if one does not
practice meditation, the divinities that inhabit one’s body will
leave, causing one to get sick. Meditation, in this sense,
promotes both spiritual and physical health. Other aims to calm
and empty the mind and circulate chi (referring to life energy).
 Taoists Practices
Tai Chi
Tai Chi (or T a i Chi Ch’uan) is a popular Chinese form of
exercise and martial art that is closely associated with Taoism.
It aims to harmonize the principle of the yin and yang into a
sequence of slow, rhythmic, and flowing movements, with
carefully prescribed stances and positions. The goal is to
stimulate and harmonize chi—referring to life energy—for
health, vitality and self-defense.
 Taoists Practices
Fung Shui
Fung Shui is generally a system of harmonizing everyone with the
surrounding environment. Fung Shui, in its popular sense, refers to the
practice of choosing or configuring a structure or site in order for this
structure or site to be in harmony with the spiritual forces that inhabit it. It
has its roots in Taoism for emphasizing the interconnectedness of
everything around us and the harmonious flow of chi.
 Taoists Practices
Taoist Alchemy

Alchemy generally refers to “the transmutation of one substance,

or a combination of substances, into another substance,
especially one that is more valuable, powerful, or imbued with
paranormal properties. Historically, this often meant turning
ordinary metal into gold, but it also referred to creating potions
that could cure diseases, prevent aging and death, or confer
supernatural powers”.
 Taoists Festivals
Just like the other world religions, Taoism celebrates the
birthdays of its various gods and goddesses on certain days
following the lunar calendar. Some Taoist festivals are
celebrated in Taoist temples. Some are generally Chinese
festivals such as the Chinese New Year, the Festival of
Lanterns, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Ghost Festival, and
the Mid-Autumn Festival.
 Taoists Denomination
and Challenges
a)Philosophical Taoism
b)Religious Taoism
Major Taoist Denominations
There are three major Taoist denominations which can be
classified as ancient and modern forms of Taoism. The ancient
form is the a) Way of the Celestial Masters, while the modern
forms are the b) Way of Orthodox Unity and the c) Way of
Complete Perfection. The Way of Orthodox Unity generally sees
itself as a modern version of the Way of the Celestial Masters,
while the Way of Complete Perfection does not.
 Way of the Celestial Masters
The first institutional Taoism, and thus we can say the first Taoist sect, was
called the Way of the Celestial Masters (T’ien-shih Tao). It was founded
by Chang Tao-ling around the second century. While Taoism was
founded by Lao Tzu, it was Chang Tao-ling who transformed Taoism
into an institutional religion, as an organized religious movement. This
movement regarded Lao Tzu, whom they referred to as “Lord Lao,”
either as identical to the Tao or as a divine manifestation of the Tao.
 Way of Orthodox Unity
Way of Complete Perfection
Currently, there are two major Taoist sects in China: the Way
of Orthodox Unity, the liturgical and ritualistic branch that
is more common in southern China and Taiwan; and the
Way of Complete Perfection, the monastic branch that is
more common in northern China.