Taoism is a Chinese religion, (tao means the way), and also a philosophy. Taoism emphasizes doing what is natural, or going with the flow (Tao or Dao – the way, the path). It may have had its beliefs in practices ‘such as ancestor and spirit worship but both of these principles are observed by many Taoists today and have been for centuries’.

Taoism is a chinse religion and philosophy based on the doctrines of Lao-tse (6th century BC). Lao Tzu (also written as Lao-tse) advocated simplicity, selflessness among others.

Taoism is also known as Daoism. It was observed primarily by the people in the rural areas of China as the folk religion, but it became the official religion under the Tang Dynasty in China. With the decline of Tang Dynasty, Taoism was replaced by Confucianism and Buddhism, but still practised in the third millennium.

“The historian Sima Qian (145-86 BCE) tells the story of Lao-Tzu, a curator at the Royal Library in the state of Chu, who was a natural philosopher. Lao-Tzu believed in the harmony of all things and that people could live easily together if they only considered each other’s feelings once in a while and recognized that their self-interest was not always in the interest of others. Lao-Tzu grew impatient with people and with the corruption he saw in government, which caused the people so much pain and misery. He was so frustrated by his inability to change people’s behavior that he decided to go into exile,” mentions ANCIENT HISTOY Encyclopaedia. “As he was leaving China through the western pass, the gatekeeper Yin Hsi stopped him because he recognized him as a philosopher. Yin Hsi asked Lao-Tzu to write a book for him before he left civilization forever and Lao-Tzu agreed. He sat down on a rock beside the gatekeeper and wrote the Tao-Te-Ching (The Book of the Way). He stopped writing when he felt he was finished, handed the book to Yin Hsi, and walked through the western pass to vanish into the mist beyond. Sima Qian does not continue the story after this but, presumably (if the story is true) Yin Hsi would have then had the Tao-Te-Ching copied and distributed.”

Tao-Te-Ching is a book of poetry that presents the simple way of following the Tao and living life at peace with one’s self, others, and the world of changes.

“Yield and overcome

“Empty and become full

“Bend and become straight” –Lao Tzu

Taoist is a person who believes in Taoism, or practices Taoism.

Taoist is an adjective: referring to Taoism or Taoist.

“Taoism is a philosophical way of life that focuses on the relationship between humanity and the Universe. Tao means “the way” or “the path” and within the context of its philosophy is considered the primal energy of the Universe. To be in alignment with, or in the flow of, Universal energy is Taoism’s goal. Taoism is widely considered more of a philosophy than a formal religion, and its principles have been infused into Zen Buddhism and folk religions of ancient China. Taoism recognizes the human body as a microcosm (min-universe) manifested from the union of the creative yang energy and the receptive yin energy. The human body is an exact small-scale model of the Universe compromised of the same principles, matter, and laws.” -Tisha Morris in DECORATING WITH THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF FENG SHUI (also the author of Mind, Body, Home).

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