Taoism3

__******Basic Beliefs**** Daoist philsophy is based on the Dao, an ancient chinese concept that means "path","way", or "natural working of the universe." Daoists consider the Dao an eternal foundation from which the many parts of the universe continuously spring and return to. The process occur by means of the De, or the energy of the Dao. Daoists explain the operations of the De in two other ancient principles: the dark, negative, female or the "Yin" and the bright, positive, male, or the "Yang". They believe the two opposing forces combine in different proportions to produce the variety of things in the universe. Daoists believe that Human beings are an integral part of the universe and, by nature are in harmony with its operations. Unfortunately overtime humans have fallen from this condition into competitive actions that lie outside the natural harmony of all things. From this, Daoists believe all the sicknesses,crimes and wars have been produced. Daoists believe the only solution to the disharmony of humans and nature; is for humans to make a conscious decision not to participate in the turbulent, aggressive, and assertive ways of life. This decision is called "wuwei". This requires Daoists to do only as much as their natural impulse requires, never attempting further achievement. Daoists relate to other people through natural kindness, tolerance, and humility, never striving to dominate over one another. Daoists believe in 'Gods" or immortals. Daoists believe in a hierarchy. The hierarchy has four different levels to it. The gods of the highest level are the Celestial worthy of primordial beginning, the celestial worthy of numinou treasure and the celestial worthy of the way and its virtue. These gods are often said to be the Dao itself. Below them are the gods of the lower ranks, who are entrusted with resposibilities according to their attainments in Dao and virtue. Daoists believe that the universe contains 36 heaven and 36 hells below. Daoists also believes that, among the famous mountains of the earth, there are 10 daoist caves, 36 small daoist caves and 72 promised lands, which serve as the dwellings of immortals.Among the four seas there are 10 continents and 3 islands where immortals dwell and the divine grass grows. It is believed that if a human were to eat this grass then they would become immortal. The highest ideal of a daoist is to achieve immortality. To believe this goal daoists must practice daoism both physically and spirtually.

=The book of Doaism:=

The books tht record Daoist doctrines are referred to as the Daoist Scriptures. There were different kinds of scriptures compiled through the years, all combined in the Daoist Canon.

=Founder of Daoism:=

Lao Tzu was born in app. 500 BC. In southern China in Ch'u, now known as the Hunan Province. He had a book which was about spiritual reflections called the Tao Te Ching it has been published in more languages than any book except the Bible. For at least fifty years, Lao Tzu worked in the emperor's library, kept mostly to himself, and was considered a recluse and a mystic of deep wisdom. A contemporary of Confucius. He was searching for a way that would avoid the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that disrupted society during his lifetime. Many believe it was written before his birth in 440 A.D. In the 4th century B.C

__**__ =Impact on culture/civilization:=

Taoism is one of the three great religions in China. At the end of the Ch'ing Dynasty in 1911, state support for Taoism ended. Communist victory in 1949 brought a lot of people in to China that prosecuted at all religions especially Taoism. Much of the Taoist heritage was destroyed. Anybody doing Taoist activity where targeted under the government Mao Zedong. There religious freedom was restricted. "The new government put monks to manual labor, confiscated temples, and plundered treasure. They’re where about 50,000 monks left by 1960. They also passed a law that said “superstitious practitioners” to be arrested. During the Cultural Revolution in China from 1966 to 1976, much of the remaining Taoist heritage was destroyed. Some religious tolerance has been restored under Deng Xiao-ping from 1982 to the present time.

Ontario Consultants. Taoism (a.k.a. Daoism). 1995-jun-3. Religious Tolerance. <   http://www.religioustolerance.org/taoism.htm  Brandon Toropoy, Chad Hansen: The Complete idiots Guide to Taoism: Alpha books, 2002 http://www.taoist.org.cn/English/daoism.htm http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555647/Daoism.html http://www.religioustolerance.org/taoism.htm [|Daoist Philosophy]
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