Taoism is a religious tradition that began in China about 2,500 years ago-at about the same time Confucius lived.
Taoism is practiced today in China, Taiwan, Hong King, Singapore, Japan, and Thailand, but there are Taoists throughout the world.
Taoists believe that humankind, nature, and heaven are all interconnected, and that harmony exists when everything acts according to its own nature.
A person who practices wuwei avoids aggression and bends to accommodate life'sproblems rather than break under their weight.
Living in harmony with one's own nature is known in Taoism as wu wei.
The natural order is an unknowable force called the Tao.
Tao can be translated as "the way."
They believe that when a person lives out their life on earth, the Tao returns them to heaven.
The Tao is composed of two opposite energies called yin and yang.
Taoists believe everything in existence has the characteristics of both the yin and the yang.
The yin is cold, dark, and mysterious; it is associated with the earth and is female.
The yang is warm, bright and positive; it is associated with the heavens and is male.
The interaction of yin and yang are revealed in changes. These changes include the seasons along with the flowering of living things and their eventual decay.
Taoists believe earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes are the results of disturbances of yin and yang, but they believe, in time, the Tao will reassert itself and order will return
Unhappiness in life comes from people acting against the Tao by disrupting the natural order of life.
Taoism developed during the Age of Warring States.
Legends say the founder of Taoism is Lao Tzu, though it is possible he never existed.
Lao Tzu was unhappy with moral decay of his time, so he withdrew to his home to think about the meaning of life.
Lao Tzu's meditation made him a very wise man.
Once, while traveling, a gatekeeper recognized Lao Tzu and asked him to write down his wisdom.
According to legend, Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching, then rode through the gate, never to be seen again.
The Tao Te Ching means "the Way of Life."
It places nature above culture, and a solitary individual above society. According to the Tao Te Ching, inaction is better than action.
By not allowing events to unfold according to their nature, a person has challenged the Tao.
Many Taoists compare the Tao to water. When it is restricted, water seeks the weakest spot of any obstruction and applies constant force until it is free.
Taoistphilosophy emphasizes living in harmony with the naturalworld and following its rhythms. This can be seen as an early form of ecology.
The Tao Te Ching says, "there is nothing stronger and weaker than water, any yet there is nothing better for attacking hard and strong things."
Taoism is a spiritual philosophy that focuses on a person's outlook on life and the world around them.
Taoism is a spiritual philosophy that focuses on a person's outlook on life and the world around them.
A Taoist strives to live in harmony with the natural order.
Taoists view the Tao as the connection that makes all life and movement in nature possible.
The Tao Te Ching recommends bending to accommodate rather than breaking under the stresses of life.
tao te ching discourages learning or ambition, instead stressing that we should live according to our nature
Wu wei
Living in harmony with one's own nature
Taoism
Ancient chinese philosophy and religion
Taoism instructs believers on how to exist in harmony with the universe
Taoism taught that humans and animals should live in balance with the tao/universe
Taoism believes in spiritual immorality (where the spirit of the body joins the universe after death)
Tao
The way of universe
Chi / qi
The energy present in and guiding everything in the universe