What is Taoism?(Kristen) Taoism is a Chinese philosophy that teaches conformity to the Tao by unassertive action and simplicity. In English, Tao translates to "The Way". There are approximately 200 million followers of Taoism but it's hard to give an exact number because Taoism is often associated with Buddhism and Confucianism.
History:(Kristen) Taoism originated from China between 479 and 551 BC, and was founded by Lao Tzu which translates to "Old Master". Lao Tzu is considered as "The Father of Taoism" and is also the author of the Tao Te Ching. Tao translates to "way" or path", Te means "virtue", and Ching means "scripture", or "classic". So, the Tao Te Ching can roughly be translated as "'The Scripture of the Path and the Virtue".
What is the Tao Te Ching?(Kristen) The Tao Te Ching is a classic Chinese text written by Lao Tzu, which teaches that there is a dynamic, cosmic structure underlying everything that happens in the world, in a very poetic form. The Tao Te Ching basically says that we need to let life take its course and to not exert ourselves in opposition to it by trying to bend things to our will.
Deities: (Jason) Taoist believe in many different dieties, these different deities worshipped in Taoism vary between geographical regions. Many deities are said to have once been virtuous humans. The main Taoist gods are the Three Pure Ones which consist of The Jade Purity, The Supreme Pure One, and The Grand Pure One. The Three Pure Ones represent the three divine natures of all living beings: past, present and future. The Taoist believe that the Three Pure Ones were created through the interaction of ying and yang. Another powerful deity is The Jade Emperor; he is the ruler of heaven, earth, and hell.
Influential people: Taoism was founded by a man named Lao Zu. Lao Zu is the most important person in Taoist history, some people even believe him to be a God. He is most known for the Daodejing which means “Way of Virtue." It is the most important manuscript in Taoism. Zhuangzi is another influential person in Taosim. Zhuangzi was a Chinese philosopher and author, but is most known for his writing. His writing style consists of using parables, and paradoxical stories to convey Taoist beliefs. His most famous book is called the Zhuangzi. The Zhuangzi contains many stories and Koans all relating to Taoism.
Relationship with Nature: Taoism is viewed as the way of the universe; the norm, the rhythm, and the force behind and in all nature. Taoist followers believe that we cannot approach nature as a thing to be mastered but as a partner in a relationship. Early Taoist philosophers hoped to eventually bring human civilization into the natural order. Nature is taken to be infinitely wise, infinitely complex, and infinitely irrational. Nature does not need to be perfected or improved, we are the ones who need to change and come into accord. The only way to discover the original source is to observe nature. Customs and Holidays: Some of the Taoist holidays include; The Chinese New Year, The Lantern Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Ghost Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and The Double Ninth Festival. The Taoist custom is to follow the art of “Wu Wei”, which is to achieve action through minimal action.
Religious Ceremonies: (Grant) Food may be set out as a sacrifice to the spirits of the deceased and/or the gods, such as during the Qingming Festival. This includes slaughtered animals, like pigs and ducks, or fruit. Another form of sacrifice involves the burning of the Hell Bank Notes (made of joss paper), on the assumption that images burned by the fire will reappear as the actual item in the spirit world, making them available for revered ancestors and departed loved ones. Also on particular holidays, street parades take place. These are lively affairs which involve firecrackers and flower-covered floats playing traditional music. They also include lion dances and dragon dances. The participants are not considered performers, but rather possessed by the gods and spirits in question. Fortune-telling including astrology, I Ching, and other forms of divination are considered a traditional Taoist pursuit.
Literature: (Grant)
Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching, is widely regarded to be the most influential Taoist text. The title means "The Classic of the Way and Its Power or Virtue". It is a scripture of central importance in Taoism written by Lao Tzu sometime in the 3rd or 4th centuries BCE. It has been used as a ritual text throughout the history of religious Taoism.Tao means "path" or "way" and can figuratively mean "essential nature", "destiny", "principle", or "true path". The philosophical "Tao" is infinite, without limitation. Tao is believed to be indistinct and without form. The Tao Te Ching is not thematically ordered. However, the main themes of the text are expressed using variant formulations, often with only a slight difference. The leading themes revolve around the nature of Tao and how to attain it. Tao is said to be unnameable and accomplishing great things through small means. There is a lot debate regarding which English translation of the Tao Te Ching is preferred, and which particular translation methodology is best. Ancient commentaries on the Tao Te Ching are also important texts. The Heshang Gong commentary was most likely written in the 2nd century CE, and as one of the oldest commentaries, contains the edition of the Tao Te Ching that was transmitted to the present day. Other important commentaries include the Xiang'er, one of the most important texts from the Way of the Celestial Masters, and Wang Bi's commentary.
Zhuangzi
The Zhuangzi contains poetry, humor and disputation. The book often is seen as complex because the arguments and subjects of discussion are not common to classical Western philosophy, such as the doctrine of Name Rectification and correctly making "this/not-this" distinctions. Laozi of the Tao Te Ching, as well as Confucius is the main characters in Zhuangzi.
Daozang
It was originally compiled during the Jin, Tang, and Song dynasties. The version surviving today was published during the Ming dynasty. The Ming Daozang includes almost 1500 texts. Following the example of the Buddhist Tripitaka, it is divided into three dong. They are arranged from "highest" to "lowest"
The Zhen ("real" or "truth”) grotto. Includes the Shangging texts
The Xuan ("mystery") grotto. Includes the Lingbao scripture
The Shen ("divine") grotto. Includes texts predating the Maoshan revelations.
Daoshi generally do not consult published versions of the Daozang, but individually inherit texts included in the Daozang. These texts have been passed down for generations from teacher to student. The Shangqing School has a tradition of approaching Taoism through scriptural study. It’s believed that if you recite certain texts often enough, you will be rewarded with immortality.
Symbols: (Tracy)Yin-Yang Symbol – Understanding opposites (masculine/feminine, light/dark)
Taijitu Shuo: the whole of Taoist Cosmetology
Five Element Chart: Yin Qi + Yang Qi give birth to the five elements (fire, water, earth, wood, metal), whose various combinations produce the ten-thousand-things.
Ba Gua: From undifferentiated unity comes Yin and Yang, which then further differentiates into supreme Yin and Yang, and lesser Yin and Yang.
Map: (Grant)
Art Forms: (Grant)
Earthenware, stoneware and porcelain (pottery)
Bronze vessels (usually in the shape of animals)
Carved stones (such as Jade or Nephrite)
Woodblock prints
Painted silk (used for funeral banners, clothes)
Statues: (Jason) One major Taoist statue is the Lao Zu. Lao Zu is the father of Taoism. Taoist immortal statue features Lao Zu sitting on a lion with his hands in the gesture of meditation and his legs crossed in the lotus position. Taoist Architecture: (Jason) The various forms of Taoist architecture include temples, palaces, nunneries, altars and huts where religious activities are performed. The structure of Taoist architecture consists of holy halls for sacrifice, altars to pray at, and rooms to chant in. Taoist temple buildings try to reflect Taoists' beliefs in happiness, longevity and immortality.
Ba Xian An Monastery (Temple of the Eight Immortals) The Ba Xian An Monastery is the biggest Taoist temple in Xian and is a famous Taoist architecture in Northwest China.
The White Cloud Taoist Temple:
The White Cloud Temple is the largest Taoist structure in Beijing. It was first created in the 8th century during the Tang Dynasty, but it was burned down and reconstructed in the 13th century.
Taoism
What is Taoism?(Kristen)
Taoism is a Chinese philosophy that teaches conformity to the Tao by unassertive action and simplicity. In English, Tao translates to "The Way". There are approximately 200 million followers of Taoism but it's hard to give an exact number because Taoism is often associated with Buddhism and Confucianism.
History:(Kristen) Taoism originated from China between 479 and 551 BC, and was founded by Lao Tzu which translates to "Old Master". Lao Tzu is considered as "The Father of Taoism" and is also the author of the Tao Te Ching. Tao translates to "way" or path", Te means "virtue", and Ching means "scripture", or "classic". So, the Tao Te Ching can roughly be translated as "'The Scripture of the Path and the Virtue".
What is the Tao Te Ching?(Kristen)
The Tao Te Ching is a classic Chinese text written by Lao Tzu, which teaches that there is a dynamic, cosmic structure underlying everything that happens in the world, in a very poetic form. The Tao Te Ching basically says that we need to let life take its course and to not exert ourselves in opposition to it by trying to bend things to our will.
Deities: (Jason) Taoist believe in many different dieties, these different deities worshipped in Taoism vary between geographical regions. Many deities are said to have once been virtuous humans. The main Taoist gods are the Three Pure Ones which consist of The Jade Purity, The Supreme Pure One, and The Grand Pure One. The Three Pure Ones represent the three divine natures of all living beings: past, present and future. The Taoist believe that the Three Pure Ones were created through the interaction of ying and yang. Another powerful deity is The Jade Emperor; he is the ruler of heaven, earth, and hell.
Influential people: Taoism was founded by a man named Lao Zu. Lao Zu is the most important person in Taoist history, some people even believe him to be a God. He is most known for the Daodejing which means “Way of Virtue." It is the most important manuscript in Taoism.
Zhuangzi is another influential person in Taosim. Zhuangzi was a Chinese philosopher and author, but is most known for his writing. His writing style consists of using parables, and paradoxical stories to convey Taoist beliefs. His most famous book is called the Zhuangzi. The Zhuangzi contains many stories and Koans all relating to Taoism.
Relationship with Nature: Taoism is viewed as the way of the universe; the norm, the rhythm, and the force behind and in all nature. Taoist followers believe that we cannot approach nature as a thing to be mastered but as a partner in a relationship. Early Taoist philosophers hoped to eventually bring human civilization into the natural order. Nature is taken to be infinitely wise, infinitely complex, and infinitely irrational. Nature does not need to be perfected or improved, we are the ones who need to change and come into accord. The only way to discover the original source is to observe nature.
Customs and Holidays: Some of the Taoist holidays include; The Chinese New Year, The Lantern Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Ghost Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and The Double Ninth Festival. The Taoist custom is to follow the art of “Wu Wei”, which is to achieve action through minimal action.
Religious Ceremonies: (Grant) Food may be set out as a sacrifice to the spirits of the deceased and/or the gods, such as during the Qingming Festival. This includes slaughtered animals, like pigs and ducks, or fruit. Another form of sacrifice involves the burning of the Hell Bank Notes (made of joss paper), on the assumption that images burned by the fire will reappear as the actual item in the spirit world, making them available for revered ancestors and departed loved ones. Also on particular holidays, street parades take place. These are lively affairs which involve firecrackers and flower-covered floats playing traditional music. They also include lion dances and dragon dances. The participants are not considered performers, but rather possessed by the gods and spirits in question. Fortune-telling including astrology, I Ching, and other forms of divination are considered a traditional Taoist pursuit.
Literature: (Grant)
- Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching, is widely regarded to be the most influential Taoist text. The title means "The Classic of the Way and Its Power or Virtue". It is a scripture of central importance in Taoism written by Lao Tzu sometime in the 3rd or 4th centuries BCE. It has been used as a ritual text throughout the history of religious Taoism.Tao means "path" or "way" and can figuratively mean "essential nature", "destiny", "principle", or "true path". The philosophical "Tao" is infinite, without limitation. Tao is believed to be indistinct and without form. The Tao Te Ching is not thematically ordered. However, the main themes of the text are expressed using variant formulations, often with only a slight difference. The leading themes revolve around the nature of Tao and how to attain it. Tao is said to be unnameable and accomplishing great things through small means. There is a lot debate regarding which English translation of the Tao Te Ching is preferred, and which particular translation methodology is best. Ancient commentaries on the Tao Te Ching are also important texts. The Heshang Gong commentary was most likely written in the 2nd century CE, and as one of the oldest commentaries, contains the edition of the Tao Te Ching that was transmitted to the present day. Other important commentaries include the Xiang'er, one of the most important texts from the Way of the Celestial Masters, and Wang Bi's commentary.- Zhuangzi
The Zhuangzi contains poetry, humor and disputation. The book often is seen as complex because the arguments and subjects of discussion are not common to classical Western philosophy, such as the doctrine of Name Rectification and correctly making "this/not-this" distinctions. Laozi of the Tao Te Ching, as well as Confucius is the main characters in Zhuangzi.- Daozang
It was originally compiled during the Jin, Tang, and Song dynasties. The version surviving today was published during the Ming dynasty. The Ming Daozang includes almost 1500 texts. Following the example of the Buddhist Tripitaka, it is divided into three dong. They are arranged from "highest" to "lowest"- The Zhen ("real" or "truth”) grotto. Includes the Shangging texts
- The Xuan ("mystery") grotto. Includes the Lingbao scripture
- The Shen ("divine") grotto. Includes texts predating the Maoshan revelations.
Daoshi generally do not consult published versions of the Daozang, but individually inherit texts included in the Daozang. These texts have been passed down for generations from teacher to student. The Shangqing School has a tradition of approaching Taoism through scriptural study. It’s believed that if you recite certain texts often enough, you will be rewarded with immortality.Symbols: (Tracy)Yin-Yang Symbol – Understanding opposites
(masculine/feminine, light/dark)
Taijitu Shuo: the whole of Taoist Cosmetology
Five Element Chart: Yin Qi + Yang Qi give birth to the five elements (fire, water, earth, wood, metal), whose various combinations produce the ten-thousand-things.
Ba Gua: From undifferentiated unity comes Yin and Yang, which then further differentiates into supreme Yin and Yang, and lesser Yin and Yang.
Map: (Grant)
Art Forms: (Grant)
Statues: (Jason) One major Taoist statue is the Lao Zu. Lao Zu is the father of Taoism. Taoist immortal statue features Lao Zu sitting on a lion with his hands in the gesture of meditation and his legs crossed in the lotus position.
Taoist Architecture: (Jason) The various forms of Taoist architecture include temples, palaces, nunneries, altars and huts where religious activities are performed. The structure of Taoist architecture consists of holy halls for sacrifice, altars to pray at, and rooms to chant in. Taoist temple buildings try to reflect Taoists' beliefs in happiness, longevity and immortality.
Ba Xian An Monastery (Temple of the Eight Immortals)
The Ba Xian An Monastery is the biggest Taoist temple in Xian and is a famous Taoist architecture in Northwest China.
The White Cloud Taoist Temple:The White Cloud Temple is the largest Taoist structure in Beijing. It was first created in the 8th century during the Tang Dynasty, but it was burned down and reconstructed in the 13th century.
Works Cited:
Websites
"Religious Taoism." Chebucto Community Net Home Page. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. <http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/religious-tao.html>.
"What is Taoism?" http://users.ntplx.net/~bbarrett/intro-tao.htmlBooks
"Chinese Philosophy:Taoism" http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/CHPHIL/TAOISM.HTM
"Zhuangzi (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/zhuangzi/
Books
Huange, Alfred. The Complete J Ching. Web.
Lao Tzu. Tao Te Ching
Watts, Alan, and Al Chungliang. Huang. Tao The Watercourse Way. Toronto, CA: Pantheon, 1975. Print.