TAOISM
SHORT HISTORY
 Taoism has no founder and no founding date. It
grew out of various religious and philosophical
traditions in ancient China, including shamanism
and nature religion.
 Taoism as a religion began in 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.
 Livia Khon states that: Zhang Daoling became
the Celestial Master and founder of the first
organized Taoist school of thought. This
tradition continuous to the present day with
the current Celestial Master living in Taiwan.
 Early religious Taoism was rooted in the ideas
of the Taoist thinkers, to which were added
local religious rituals and beliefs, both to
provide examples of Taoist philosophy, and
integrate Taoism into existing world views of
all levels of the Chinese people.
 Taoism became a semi-official Chinese
religion during the Tang Dynasty and
continued during the Song Dynasty. As
Confucianism gained popularity Taoism
gradually fell from favour, and changed
from an official religion to a popular
religious tradition.
 After the communist takeover of China,
Taoism was banned and its followers re-
educated with the result that the
number of practicing Taoists fell by
99% in 10 years.
 At this time Taoism began to flourish in
the greater freedom in offer in Taiwan.
 After the end of the Cultural Revolution
the Chinese government began to allow
a small measure of religious freedom.
Taoism began to revive in China, and
Taoist temples and practitioners can
now be found throughout the country.
 FOUNDERS
Laozi, also known as Lao Tzu, is a legendary and historic
figure of China who is regarded as the founder of Taoism.
Laozi is credited with authoring the Tao Te Ching,
considered to be the most significant text in Taoism.

Laozi is viewed by many historians as a mythological figure

rather than a real person. Even the exact translation of his
name—Laozi, which means Old Master—indicates a divinity
rather than a man, raising serious doubts about his reality.
 The mystery surrounding the life of Laozi starts with his
conception. According to traditional tales, Laozi was conceived
as a result of his mother looking at a falling star. Before he was
born as a fully grown man with a grey beard, a sign of wisdom
in ancient China, he may have spent up to 80 years in his
mother's womb. He was born in the Chu state's Chu Jen village.

During the Zhou Dynasty, Laozi worked for the monarch as a

shi, or historian and archivist. Laozi would have been a shi, a
guardian of sacred manuscripts and an expert in astronomy,
astrology, and divination
 SACRED TEXTS
 The most sacred and fundamental text in Taoism is the
“Tao Te Ching”, also spelled as “Dao De Jing”. This ancient
Chinese text is attributed to the sage Laozi (Lao Tzu),
although its authorship is a matter of debate among
scholars. The “Tao Te Ching” is considered the
foundational scripture of Taoism, and it holds great
significance for both philosophical and religious branches
of the tradition.
 The “Tao Te Ching” consists of 81 short chapters or verses
that explore the nature of the Tao (Dao), which is often
translated as “The Way” or “The Path”. It provides insights
into the principle of living in harmony with the Tao,
achieving balance and embracing the concept of Wu Wei
(non-action or effortless action).
The text addresses various aspects of life, governance, ethics
and spirituality, offering guidance on how to navigate the
complexities of existence while aligning oneself with the natural
flow of the Tao. It emphasizes simplicity, humility, and the
relativity of opposites, among other key Taoist principles.
The “Tao Te Ching” has been translated into numerous
languages and has influenced not only Taoist thought and
practice but also Chinese culture, philosophy, and spirituality
in general. It is a revered and widely studied text by Taoist
practitioners and scholars around the world
 MAIN BELIEF
 Taoist strongly believes in accumulating merits
 One of the main ideas of Taoism is the
and doing good deeds to benefits society, and also
belief in balancing forces, or yin and
in educating and encouraging others to develop
yang. These ideas represent matching
their morality and value system. There is a Taoist
pairs, such as light and dark, hot and
saying which goes like this: “By doing 3,000 good
cold, action and inaction, which work
deeds, one will accumulate 800 merits”, which
together toward a universal whole.
means that if one hopes to attain immortality,
he/she must at least perform 3,000 good deeds to
reach this state of perfection. The important
Taoist principles are inaction, simplicity and
living in harmony with nature.
 GODS
 The most venerable deities of the Taoist religion
are the Three Pristine One, namely the Primeval
Lord of Heaven, the Heavenly Lord of Numinous
Treasure, and the Heavenly Lord of Dao and its
Virtue.
The Primeval Lord of Heaven resides in the Jade
Purity Realm of in the 35th qing-wei heaven, the
Heavenly Lord of Numinous Treasure resides in the
High Purity Realm in the 34th yu-yu heaven, and the
Heavenly Lord of Dao and its Virtue resides in the
Supreme Purity Realm in the 33rd da-chi heaven.
The gods of the Taoism are either saints, immortals or demi-gods. In addition,
Taoism has both gods and goddesses. There are hundreds of gods in Taoism.
However, there are 16 major gods and goddesses in Taoism who are revered by
all. Taoism has many gods, most of them borrowed from other
cultures. Taoism has many gods, most of them borrowed from other cultures
 RITUALS
Taoist priests used a number of sacred implements during rituals, each of which held
 Ritual was the primary expression of the religious needs and symbolic significance. Smoke from incense burners both attracted the gods and
hopes of the community, and most Taoist rituals were developed carried messages from the community to the heavens. Swords were used for exorcism
in response to these needs. Rituals were performed for and purification ceremonies, and robes worn by the priest symbolized his power over
individuals at important transitional periods in their lives, such the energies of the cosmos. Scriptures and other religious documents were also
as birth and death. The significance of such moments, however, considered sacred and worshiped as embodiments of the Tao. Among the most
magnificent works of Taoist art to be preserved is the Ordination Scroll of Empress
deeply affected their families. In the case of the imperial house,
Zhang.
such moments affected the entire nation.
Taoist priests used a number of sacred implements during
rituals, each of which held symbolic significance. Smoke from
incense burners both attracted the gods and carried messages
from the community to the heavens. Swords were used for
exorcism and purification ceremonies, and robes worn by the
priest symbolized his power over the energies of the cosmos.
Scriptures and other religious documents were also considered
sacred and worshiped as embodiments of the Tao. Among the
most magnificent works of Taoist art to be preserved is
the Ordination Scroll of Empress Zhang.
 SYMBOLS
 Yin-Yang diagram is the most of all Taoist symbols, represents
the movement of heaven or the Tao. The small opposing dots
in each area to represent the fact that in all evil there exist
some good, while in all the good there exist some evil. Also,
represent the dark and bright, night and day, dry and moist,
aggressive and passive; sun and rain. The Yin-Yang is a
symbolic representation of the world`s polarities, dualism, and
fundamental dichotomies: light and dark, male and female,
life and death.

• Fu-hsi is the creator of pakua – one of

the Chinese cultural heroes.
 Pakua is the eight triagrams that
constitutes the inner structure of the
sixty-four hexagrams of I-Ching. This
symbol created by Fu-Hsi.

 The dragon is one of the Yang symbols,

represents the power, sage or saint.
 sUMMARY
 Taoism is one of the oldest religions in the world, originating in China more than 2,000 years
ago. It is based on the teachings of the ancient Tao Te Ching, written by Lao Tzu, which
stresses the importance of living in harmony with the Tao, or the “Way” of nature. Taoism is
defined by its symbols, which represent the basic principles of the religion
 The most recognizable symbol is the yin yang, which symbolizes the balance of the universe and the
interconnectedness of all things. The yin yang is usually depicted as a circle divided into two halves, one black and
one white, with a small circle of the opposite color in each. The yin yang is often accompanied by the taijitu, or
“diagram of the ultimate,” which is a circle with five dots connected by a spiral.
 Taoism philosophy is based on three pillars: simplicity, patience, and compassion. Lao Tzu said that this three
principles are our greatest treasures. He further explained that by being simple in actions and in thoughts,you
return to the source of being.
  Through patience with both friends and enemies, you can accord with the way things are. And by being
compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world.

Here are the three lessons from Taoism:

 Fully accept whatever the current moment brings. Give yourself fully to reality.
 Admit your own faults and mistakes, because ultimately, they might be your greatest source of strength.
 Always compete in a spirit of play to stay in harmony with the Tao.