What is Taoism?

February 24, 2009 amarie93

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY MOVIE.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY TRACK-STAR

 

Taoism

   “Without going out of my door, I can know all things of earth, with out looking out of my window; I could know the ways of heaven.” – Laozi, founder of Taoism. Taoism is one of the two greatest religions originated in China. Also referred to as Daoism because of it pronunciation. This interesting religion was established in the sixth century and still exists today. Taoism has helped shape and develop Chinese life and has influence many people slightly. All together around the world only about thirty million people consider themselves to be Taoist, compared to other religions such as Buddhism, and Hinduism that is relatively small. Although, Taoism was originated in China it appear in other countries as well, countries such as Korea, Europe, Canada, Vietnam, and Japan and even in the United States of America. Wherever the Chinese people go they seem to take Taoism along with them.

        The founder of Taoism is Laozi whom can also be referred to as “old master”. Laozi was born in 604 B.C, he was born under a tree and his hair was white. He was name Laozi because it means “old boy” and because his hair was white they thought of him as an old little being. However, some scholars now highly doubt a man name Laozi ever lived. He was a contemplator in the time of Confucius, but daring to think different he sought how to focus on life’s ultimate deeds and principles, rather than ordering social life to find harmony. Laozi search for ways to avoid welfare; and any other problems that could have had a possible effect or cause disruption in one’s life, in the period of time in which he lived. 

      Many people have never heard of the word Taoism, let along know its meaning. In Chinese, the word Tao mean “the way” so in Chinese terms Taoism means the way of nature. Taoism is the way of the universe. Taoist see constant change in the natural world, they call such universal force, Tao. Tao is also considered to be the Mother, or source of all things. The source that they’re referring to as Mother or Tao is no god. So Taoist turned to priest for charms to protect them from unseen forces. Taoism is not monotheistic, its followers does not worship one god it focuses more on coming into harmony with Tao. Taoism unlike other religions doesn’t have one founder or central figure in which they worship or look up to like Ali, Buddha, Christ or Mohammed. They have a myriad number of masters. One of the first masters, whom was also said to be the first founder of Taoism is Lao-Tao Ching, another master whom was said to be a founder was Chuang Tu.

    Taoist sought to live in harmony with nature. They rejected conflict, strife and turned away from the way of society because they believe society caused many problems, they viewed the government as an unnatural. Many Taoist believed the government that governed the least was the best government, because it’s up to people to live their lives the way they want. In their government system, the people have the power to govern the government as well.  To a Taoist the way a person treats his or her body is as essential to the people’s actions, beliefs, and the way they treat others. Having a healthy body is a necessary step in Taoism to achieving a spiritual state. They also believe time spent in meditation and in harmony with ones self prolongs your life, and the longer you live the more time you will have to greater your chances of having perfect harmony with Tao.

     In this religion, Taoist has never made an effort to spread their religion. However, they have had many people to travel and wander but they have never had any missionaries. Taoists leaders believe people should come to them if they want to convert over to Taoism. Just like other religions Taoism has different levels of which people observe it. The purest form is it is the basis for a life of contemplation and prayer. It highly assists the concerns for ordinary people, offering calmness and inner peace to all. Taoism offers a way of health and long life, and forgiveness of sin through good works and rituals. In comparison with the other religions just as Christians have the bible to learn and practice their teachings so does Taoism. Their book of teachings is called Dao De Jing, written by Lazoi when he founded Taoism.

     

 Rituals are formal acts that make up a religious view, therefore priest trained in ritual words and actions to lead their followers in a form of worship and praise. Taoism rituals express the continuation of renewal of the universe and constantly remind people of the harmony of Tao. Taoist ritual focuses more on a feast for the senses. Colorful robes, banners, statues and paintings of gods and immortals, instrumental music and song, chanting, dancing, lighting candles created the richful atmosphere with meaning for participants and observers. The rituals they practice help promote the wellness of their families, their ancestors, their community, and to keep all-evil away.  In the time of domestic rituals Taoists were encouraged to practice their religion on their own, without a priest. Many Taoist had alters in their homes or shrines, a kind of family tree. At this alter both men and women prayed for prosperity and health, in the time of sickness or in memory of their ancestors. During this period of worship they light incense and candles; they burn ghost money that symbolizes family wealth.

         There are three jewels or characteristics we would call it, that Taoist cherish one is compassion, which they believe, leads to courage, two moderation that leads to generosity, and three humility that leads to leadership. In there religious book Dao de Jing, in chapter 67 the three jewels are further explained. It is also said in Dao de Jing that the Taoist believe there are 36 heavens and hells. So when Taoist dies, they believed at death the spirits leave the body but remain near by until the body is buried. Once the body is buried they believe the spirit moves to either a peaceful rest, such as to heaven or to a face of punishment because of their misdeeds on earth, such as hell. Just as they have funerals they have weddings. Weddings to the Taoist people is the center of there Chinese lives.  The wedding proposals are announced in front of the entire family, and then on the day the weddings the bride and her parents go visit the shrine of their ancestors. After the wedding the bride gets a cup of wine, she bows four times each times showing her gratitude for the four seasons and four stages of her life.

 In Taoism, Yin and Yang are negative and positive principles in the universe. They cannot work without each other and are completely opposite of one another. Yin can be represented as negative, female, dark, evil, and earthly.  Yang could be identified as the complete opposite of Yin for instance instead of negative, Yang’s a positive, male, light, good, and heavenly. Yin and Yang can’t be represented as energy or material things. It’s a method that explains the common or uncommon relationship of various objects. The concept of Yin Yang came from the environment and nature. The ancient Chinese civilians found the Yin and Yang to be the most interesting around this time because they were the most interested in patterns. Both Yin and Yang together represents the ancient Chinese of how things around the universe work.  Yin-Yang is said to be the foundation of the universe.

    There ‘s a long history of involvement with the Taoist.  Focusing on certain exercises and techniques. Tai Chi a formal exercise for the Taoist works in for all body parts. It benefits every part of your body it relieves stress, lower blood, and it stimulates the nervous system. It massages your internal organs. Taoist believe the five main organs of the body correlate with the five main parts of the sky; water, fire, wood, metal, earth. Tai Chi is also considered to be such technique that balances the energy flow.

    To finalize, Taoism is an interesting religion that was spread around the world globally. There are over 30 million followers, whom could be labeled as Taoist. They believe in “Tao” or “Dao” or in English terms “ the way” of the universe. Taoist main objective is to stay in harmony with “Tao”. Once they feel they have reached harmony they are enlightened. Their basic religious symbol is yin-yang, which represents a dark and light and or positive and negative overall image. As more and more people convert to the great religion others open their minds to an even more peaceful and harmonizing environment, taking into consideration how bad the world is becoming.  Taoism is just like China in so many ways, because it’s basically the culture and history of it. Without Taoism, Chinese history wouldn’t be what it is today.  So just how “Dao” is the way of the universe, Taoism in a way is universe of China.

 

Works Cited:

 

Robinson, B.A. 1995-2008. Ontario Consultant on Religious Tolerance. http://www.religioustolerance.org/taoism.htm 19 Feb. 2009

 

“Daoism.” 1997-2008 http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555647_1____4/daoism.html#s4 16 Feb. 2009

 

“Daoism.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 2009. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/582972/Daoism 14 Feb. 2009

Entry Filed under: Religion

Trackback this post  |  Subscribe to comments via RSS Feed