Difference between revisions of "Taoism"
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[[Taoism]] (modernly [[Daoism]] is a [[philosophical]], [[ethical]], and [[religious]] [[tradition]] of {{Wiki|Chinese}} origin that emphasizes living in [[harmony]] with the {{Wiki|Tao}} (also romanized as [[Dao]]). The term [[Tao]] means "way", "[[path]]" or "[[principle]]", and can also be found in {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[philosophies]] and [[religions]] other than [[Taoism]]. In [[Taoism]], however, {{Wiki|Tao}} denotes something that is both the source and the driving force behind everything that [[exists]]. It is ultimately {{Wiki|ineffable}}: "The {{Wiki|Tao}} that can be told is not the [[eternal]] {{Wiki|Tao}}."[1] | [[Taoism]] (modernly [[Daoism]] is a [[philosophical]], [[ethical]], and [[religious]] [[tradition]] of {{Wiki|Chinese}} origin that emphasizes living in [[harmony]] with the {{Wiki|Tao}} (also romanized as [[Dao]]). The term [[Tao]] means "way", "[[path]]" or "[[principle]]", and can also be found in {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[philosophies]] and [[religions]] other than [[Taoism]]. In [[Taoism]], however, {{Wiki|Tao}} denotes something that is both the source and the driving force behind everything that [[exists]]. It is ultimately {{Wiki|ineffable}}: "The {{Wiki|Tao}} that can be told is not the [[eternal]] {{Wiki|Tao}}."[1] | ||
| − | While [[Taoism]] drew its [[cosmological]] notions from the {{Wiki|tenets}} of the School of [[Yin Yang]], its keystone work is widely regarded to be the [[Tao Te Ching]], a compact and {{Wiki|ambiguous}} [[book]] containing teachings attributed to [[Laozi]] ({{Wiki|Chinese}}: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ; Wade–Giles: {{Wiki|Lao Tzu}}). Together with the writings of [[Zhuangzi]], these two texts build the [[philosophical]] foundation of [[Taoism]]. This [[philosophical]] [[Taoism]], individualistic by [[nature]], is not institutionalized. | + | While [[Taoism]] drew its [[cosmological]] notions from the {{Wiki|tenets}} of the School of [[Yin Yang]], its keystone work is widely regarded to be the [[Tao Te Ching]], a compact and {{Wiki|ambiguous}} [[book]] containing teachings attributed to [[Laozi]] ({{Wiki|Chinese}}: [[老子]]; pinyin: [[Lǎozǐ]]; Wade–Giles: {{Wiki|Lao Tzu}}). Together with the writings of [[Zhuangzi]], these two texts build the [[philosophical]] foundation of [[Taoism]]. This [[philosophical]] [[Taoism]], individualistic by [[nature]], is not institutionalized. |
Institutionalized [[forms]], however, evolved over [[time]] in the shape of a number of different schools. [[Wikipedia:Taoism|Taoist]] schools [[traditionally]] feature reverence for [[Laozi]], [[immortals]] or {{Wiki|ancestors}}, along with a variety of {{Wiki|divination}} and {{Wiki|exorcism}} [[rituals]], and practices for achieving {{Wiki|ecstasy}}, longevity or [[immortality]]. | Institutionalized [[forms]], however, evolved over [[time]] in the shape of a number of different schools. [[Wikipedia:Taoism|Taoist]] schools [[traditionally]] feature reverence for [[Laozi]], [[immortals]] or {{Wiki|ancestors}}, along with a variety of {{Wiki|divination}} and {{Wiki|exorcism}} [[rituals]], and practices for achieving {{Wiki|ecstasy}}, longevity or [[immortality]]. | ||
| − | [[Wikipedia:Taoism|Taoist]] [[propriety]] and [[ethics]] may vary depending on the particular school, but in general tends to {{Wiki|emphasize}} wu-wei ([[action]] through | + | [[Wikipedia:Taoism|Taoist]] [[propriety]] and [[ethics]] may vary depending on the particular school, but in general tends to {{Wiki|emphasize}} [[wu-wei]] ([[action]] through non-action), "naturalness", [[simplicity]], spontaneity, and the [[Three Treasures]]: [[compassion]], moderation, and {{Wiki|humility}}. |
| − | [[Taoism]] has had profound influence on {{Wiki|Chinese culture}} in the course of the centuries, and clerics of institutionalised [[Taoism]] ({{Wiki|Chinese}}: 道士; pinyin: dàoshi) usually take care to note {{Wiki|distinction}} between their [[ritual]] [[tradition]] and the customs and practices found in {{Wiki|Chinese folk religion}} as these {{Wiki|distinctions}} sometimes appear blurred. {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[alchemy]] (especially neidan), [[Chinese astrology]], [[Chan]] ([[Zen]]) [[Buddhism]], several {{Wiki|martial arts}}, {{Wiki|Traditional Chinese medicine}}, {{Wiki|feng shui}}, and many styles of [[qigong]] have been intertwined with [[Taoism]] throughout history. Beyond [[China]], [[Taoism]] also had influence on surrounding {{Wiki|societies}} in {{Wiki|Asia}}. | + | [[Taoism]] has had profound influence on {{Wiki|Chinese culture}} in the course of the centuries, and {{Wiki|clerics}} of institutionalised [[Taoism]] ({{Wiki|Chinese}}: 道士; pinyin: dàoshi) usually take care to note {{Wiki|distinction}} between their [[ritual]] [[tradition]] and the customs and practices found in {{Wiki|Chinese folk religion}} as these {{Wiki|distinctions}} sometimes appear blurred. {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[alchemy]] (especially [[neidan]]), [[Chinese astrology]], [[Chan]] ([[Zen]]) [[Buddhism]], several {{Wiki|martial arts}}, {{Wiki|Traditional Chinese medicine}}, {{Wiki|feng shui}}, and many styles of [[qigong]] have been intertwined with [[Taoism]] throughout history. Beyond [[China]], [[Taoism]] also had influence on surrounding {{Wiki|societies}} in {{Wiki|Asia}}. |
| − | After [[Laozi]] and [[Zhuangzi]] the {{Wiki|literature}} of [[Taoism]] grew steadily and used to be compiled in [[form]] of a [[canon]] – the Daozang, which was at times published at the behest of the [[emperor]]. Throughout {{Wiki|Chinese}} history, [[Taoism]] was several times nominated as state [[religion]]. After the 17th century, however, it fell much from favor. Like all other [[religious]] [[activity]], [[Taoism]] was suppressed in the first decades of the [[People's Republic of China]] (and even persecuted during the {{Wiki|Cultural Revolution}}), but continued to be practised in {{Wiki|Taiwan}}. Today, it is one of five [[religions]] [[recognized]] in the PRC, and although it does not travel readily from its {{Wiki|Asian}} [[roots]], claims {{Wiki|adherents}} in a number of {{Wiki|societies}}. | + | After [[Laozi]] and [[Zhuangzi]] the {{Wiki|literature}} of [[Taoism]] grew steadily and used to be compiled in [[form]] of a [[canon]] – the Daozang, which was at times published at the behest of the [[emperor]]. Throughout {{Wiki|Chinese}} history, [[Taoism]] was several times nominated as [[state]] [[religion]]. After the 17th century, however, it fell much from favor. Like all other [[religious]] [[activity]], [[Taoism]] was suppressed in the first decades of the [[People's Republic of China]] (and even persecuted during the {{Wiki|Cultural Revolution}}), but continued to be practised in {{Wiki|Taiwan}}. Today, it is one of five [[religions]] [[recognized]] in the PRC, and although it does not travel readily from its {{Wiki|Asian}} [[roots]], claims {{Wiki|adherents}} in a number of {{Wiki|societies}}. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Taoism]] | [[Category:Taoism]] | ||
{{Disambiguationpages}} | {{Disambiguationpages}} | ||
Latest revision as of 22:49, 2 December 2015
See:
- Taoism (modernly Daoism is a philosophical, ethical, and religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao). The term Tao means "way", "path" or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source and the driving force behind everything that exists. It is ultimately ineffable: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."
Taoism (modernly Daoism is a philosophical, ethical, and religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao). The term Tao means "way", "path" or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source and the driving force behind everything that exists. It is ultimately ineffable: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."[1]
While Taoism drew its cosmological notions from the tenets of the School of Yin Yang, its keystone work is widely regarded to be the Tao Te Ching, a compact and ambiguous book containing teachings attributed to Laozi (Chinese: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ; Wade–Giles: Lao Tzu). Together with the writings of Zhuangzi, these two texts build the philosophical foundation of Taoism. This philosophical Taoism, individualistic by nature, is not institutionalized.
Institutionalized forms, however, evolved over time in the shape of a number of different schools. Taoist schools traditionally feature reverence for Laozi, immortals or ancestors, along with a variety of divination and exorcism rituals, and practices for achieving ecstasy, longevity or immortality.
Taoist propriety and ethics may vary depending on the particular school, but in general tends to emphasize wu-wei (action through non-action), "naturalness", simplicity, spontaneity, and the Three Treasures: compassion, moderation, and humility.
Taoism has had profound influence on Chinese culture in the course of the centuries, and clerics of institutionalised Taoism (Chinese: 道士; pinyin: dàoshi) usually take care to note distinction between their ritual tradition and the customs and practices found in Chinese folk religion as these distinctions sometimes appear blurred. Chinese alchemy (especially neidan), Chinese astrology, Chan (Zen) Buddhism, several martial arts, Traditional Chinese medicine, feng shui, and many styles of qigong have been intertwined with Taoism throughout history. Beyond China, Taoism also had influence on surrounding societies in Asia.
After Laozi and Zhuangzi the literature of Taoism grew steadily and used to be compiled in form of a canon – the Daozang, which was at times published at the behest of the emperor. Throughout Chinese history, Taoism was several times nominated as state religion. After the 17th century, however, it fell much from favor. Like all other religious activity, Taoism was suppressed in the first decades of the People's Republic of China (and even persecuted during the Cultural Revolution), but continued to be practised in Taiwan. Today, it is one of five religions recognized in the PRC, and although it does not travel readily from its Asian roots, claims adherents in a number of societies.
