Taoism

TAOISM
Group 2
The Chinese philosophy of Taoism, also called Daoism, is credited to Lao Tzu
(about 500 BCE). It originated as a folk religion practiced by people in China's
rural areas and later became the official religion of the nation under the Tang
Dynasty. Taoism is thus a philosophy as well as a religion. It emphasizes doing
what is natural and "going with the flow" in accordance with the Tao (or Dao), a
cosmic force which flows through all things and binds and releases them. The
philosophy grew from an observance of the natural world, and the religion
developed out of a belief in cosmic balance maintained and regulated by the
Tao. The original belief may or may not have included practices such as
ancestor and spirit worship but both of these principles are observed by many
Taoists today and have been for centuries.
In contrast to the Abrahamic religions, Taoism does not believe in a personal

God. The cosmos, which created and governs the universe, is the only
omnipotent being that exists outside of it. According to Taoism, the cosmos is
a creation of the Tao, which impersonally directs events
The Tao Te Ching, or “The Way and Its Power,” is a collection of poetry and
sayings from around the third and fourth centuries B.C.E. that guides Taoist
thought and actions
Taoism is not a religion; it is a philosophy – a way of looking at life and a
way of thinking about things. Taoists believe that if one looks at life and
thinks about things in the right way, then one will be much happier.
Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are considered the “three pillars” of

ancient Chinese society. Taoism had influence on literature and the arts, but
the biggest area of Taoist influence was in science. The Taoist focus on
natural elements and observing how the natural world works helped to
create Chinese medicine. Similar to the modern scientific method, Taoists
observed how different medicines affected people and animals through
experimentation. Their collective knowledge gained through trying to
improve human longevity made a huge contribution to health sciences.
The important Taoist principles are inaction, simplicity and living in

harmony with nature. Taoist philosophical principle rested on a belief in
the law of unity of the two opposite forces: yin and yang.
What is yin and yang?
It is a Chinese philosophical concept that describes opposite but
interconnected forces. In Chinese cosmology, the universe creates itself
out of a primary chaos of material energy, organized into the cycles of
yin and yang and formed into objects and lives. Yin is the receptive and
yang the active principle, seen in all forms of change and difference
such as the annual cycle (winter and summer), the landscape (north-
facing shade and south-facing brightness), sexual coupling (female and
male), the formation of both men and women as characters and
sociopolitical history (disorder and order).
What are the main practices of Taoism?

Taoist cultivation practices include stillness, meditation, internal
alchemical meditation, ritual, martial arts, life nourishing through
diet, qigong and living in harmony with the seasons and calendar.
What is the golden rule of Taoism?

The sage has no interest of his own, but takes the interest of the people
as his own.
Does Taoism believe in God?
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.
Some important people of the history of Taoism are:

• Laozi, or Lao Tzu ( 老子 )
- He is assumed to have written Tao Te Ching.
• Zhuangzi, or Chuang Tzu ( 庄子 )
- Like Lao Tzu, his sayings and stories are today put together as a
book, and translated into English and other languages.
• Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor, 黄帝 )
- He is assumed to have been the first Taoist, but nobody knows for
sure if he was a real person or not.
What are 5 beliefs of Taoism?
Taoist thought focuses on genuineness, longevity, health, immortality,
vitality, wu wei (non-action, a natural action, a perfect equilibrium with
tao), detachment, refinement (emptiness), spontaneity, transformation and
omni-potentiality.
What happens after death in Taoism?

In Taoism perspective, life after death refers to the belief that one will die
and be reborn in another being based on their previous lives.
What are 3 lessons from Taoism?

Taoism philosophy is based on three pillars: simplicity, patience, and
compassion.
How do Taoists pray?

Taoists pray to the heavens and also to their ancestors as a mark of respect.
What do Taoism people wear?
Taoist priests commonly wear two types of robes: the poncho-like
jiangyi (robe of descent, referring to either the descent of the priest
from the altar or of the spirits to the altar) and the sleeved daopao
(Taoist robe).
PONCHO- LIKE JIANGYI
DAOPAO

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TAOISM

In contrast to the Abrahamic religions, Taoism does not believe in a personal

Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are considered the “three pillars” of

The important Taoist principles are inaction, simplicity and living in

What are the main practices of Taoism?

What is the golden rule of Taoism?

Some important people of the history of Taoism are:

What happens after death in Taoism?

What are 3 lessons from Taoism?

How do Taoists pray?

PONCHO- LIKE JIANGYI

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