Taoism Introduction Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is based on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching.

A short written tract written in the 6th century BC in China. The word "Tao" means the way or the path. The emphasis of the Tao Te Ching is on spiritual harmony within the individual which complements Confucianisms focus on social duty. Today, there are 20 million followers of the Taoism worldwide. Most of who live in China, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia. Many followers of Taoism are characterized by their use of Taoism symbol, yingyang, reading books on Taoism and living out their beliefs against the backdrop of Chinese culture. Taoism is also increasingly influential in the West, especially in the field of alternative medicine and in Martial Arts like Tai Chi. Taoism is a traditional Chinese native religion Laozi (also called: Lao Dan, Li Er, Laotzu, and Laotse) is the founder of this religion. The Doctrine of Morality is regarded as their holy Bible. It was started by a child name Lao Tzu who lived in China around 600 B.C. He is called Lao Tzu ("Old Boy"), because nothing is known of his youth or origins. He worked in the Chinese government, Beliefs Tao o Tao is literally translated as the way or the path. o Many different beliefs as to what Tao really is. o Taoists say that the eternal Tao can never be truly defined. o A non-personal energy that created, and resides in all living things. Wu Wei o Literally translated as not doing. o Means not doing anything that goes against nature. Wu o Literally translated as emptiness. o The ideal state of mind, empty of any thoughts or desires that conflict with the Tao. Yin and Yang o The two complimentary forces that exist in nature. o Yang represents everything masculine and active. o Yin represents everything feminine and passive o Too much of either is bad, a balance needs to be achieved. Qi o Qi (or Chi) is literally translated as breath, or air o It is the life energy present in all living things. o The martial art of Tai Chi is designed to aid the flow of Qi throughout the body. o Key Figures Lao Tzu (Laozi) o Might have founded Taoism o We are not sure if he existed

o Lao Tzu: Old Master o If he did exist he couldve been Li Erh, an archivist o He wrote Tao Te Ching Huang Di o Visited a Hermit who told him the secret to Tao o Changed the way he governed people o Earned the name Yellow Emperor o The Greatest Emperor China has ever seen o Created harmony within himself and then created harmony within his kingdom Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi) [369-286BC]: o He is one of the authors of the book Chuang Tzu is a collection of stories written in prose form instead of poetry that teaches Tao from the perspective of active, everyday life Yu-Huang: o Known as the Jade Emperor o The Great High God o Main job is to distribute justice, which he does through a court system of Hell where evil deeds and thoughts are punished Yuan-shih T'ien-tsun (The First Principal) o He has no beginning and no end o Existed "before the void and the silence, before primordial chaos o Self existing, changeless, limitless, invisible, source of all truth Yin and Yang o Universal harmony and unity between complimentary opposites. Yin = dark, passive, negative. Yang = light, o active, positive. Rituals and Practices Rites and Ceremonies o Written memorial on behalf of the people to their Gods o Major festivals can last for days o Rites can vary from purification, invocation of the deities, prayers, consecration and offerings, hymns and dances Rituals o Can involve tens and hundreds of villages. o Occur every five to ten years. o Communal Meals, Military Parades, and plays Meditation o Taoists practice meditation o Stillness of body lets them collect full chi o Chi can be described as energy and matter Tai Chi Chuan o The martial arts form practiced for balance o Spiritual, emotional, and mental aspects o Form of movement meditation

o Used for self defense