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Taoism religion | Definition, Facts, Philosophy, Beliefs, & More

Taoism religion

Taoism religion (also known as Daoism) is a Chinese philosophy attributed to Lao Tzu (c. 500 BCE) which contributed to the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural areas of China and became the official religion of the country under the Tang Dynasty. Taoism is therefore both a philosophy and a religion.

What does religion Taoism believe in?
What are the 3 main beliefs of Taoism?
Does Taoism believe in God?
Who is the god in Taoism?

What does Taoism mean?

Chinese philosophy to signify the fundamental or true nature of the world: simplicity and selflessness in conformity with the Tao, leading a life of non-purposive action, a life expressing the essence of spontaneity.

Taoism, also known as Daoism, arose about the same time as Confucianism.

Taoism religion founder:

Taoism as a religion began in the year 142 C.E. with the revelation of the Tao to Zhang Daoling or Chang Tao-ling by the personified god of the Tao, Taishang laojun (Lao Tzu), the Highest Venerable Lord. Zhang Daoling became the first Celestial Master and founder of the first organized Taoist school of thought.

Taoism religion history:

The history of Taoism stretches throughout Chinese history. Originating in prehistoric China, it has exerted a powerful influence over Chinese culture throughout the ages.

Taoism evolved in response to changing times, with its doctrine and associated practices being revised and refined.

Taoism was first recognized as a religious system during the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE.

The publication of the Tao Te Ching and other works provided a focus for Taoist thinking.

Taoism religion became a semi-official Chinese religion during the Tang dynasty and continued during the Song dynasty.

Taoism beliefs:

The core of the basic belief and doctrine of Taoism is that “Tao” is the origin and law of all things in the universe. Taoists believe that people can become deities or live forever by practicing certain rituals and austerities.
Four main principles of Daoism guide the relationship between humanity and nature:
* Follow Earth. The Dao De Jing says: ‘Humanity follows the Earth, the Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows what is natural.
* Harmony with nature.
* Too much success.
* Affluence in bio-diversity.

Taoism religion gods:

Taoism does not have a God in the way that the Abrahamic religions do. There is no omnipotent being beyond the cosmos, who created and controls the universe. In Taoism the universe springs from the Tao, and the Tao impersonally guides things on their way.

Although Taoists do not worship any deities, they do respect and celebrate the religious figures who established the religion.

Chief among these figures is Laozi, which translates as “the elder.” Some scholars doubt whether this was a single person or several people conflated by history.

Taoism holy book:

The key book of Taoism was compiled around the 3rd century BCE. It’s called the Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing or Daode Jing) – The Way and Its Power and is also known as the Lao-tzu.

Taoism religion symbol:

The taijitu (太极图; 太極圖; tàijítú; commonly known as the “yin and yang symbol” or simply the “yin yang”) and the Bagua 八卦 (“Eight Trigrams”) have importance in Taoist symbolism.

The ubiquitous yin-yang symbol holds its roots in Taoism/Daoism, a Chinese religion and philosophy.

The yin, the dark swirl, is associated with shadows, femininity, and the trough of a wave; the yang, the light swirl, represents brightness, passion, and growth.

Taoism symbol

World Religions

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