History

Creed
Code

HISTORY:

Taoism is a traditional Chinese native religion. Laozi (also called: Lao Dan, Li Er, Laotzu,
and Laotse) is the founder of this religion.

Taoism was formally established in the late Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Northern
and Southern Dynasties (386-589) saw it become the legitimacy religion like Buddhism
in China, because it was supported by some emperors for political reasons.

With the support of royal rulers, Taoism gradually developed. In the Ming Dynasty
(1368-1644), due to the national conflicts, the court had little energy and financial
support to encourage the development of this religion.

it eventually lost the support from the upper rulers. Generally, it became a secret
religious organization.

during the opium war this religion further declined through the oppression of
imperialism and western culture. Many Taoists lost their focus on religious study. At the
founding of People's Republic of China, the land reform movement prompted Taoist
organizations to develop the crusade of religious democracy. Chinese Taoist Association
was formed in 1957, which symbolized the dawn of a new era of this religion.

As of today many people in Hongkong, Macao and Taiwan believe in Taoism.

Creed (beliefs):
1. Taoism (or Daoism) is a philosophical, ethical, and religious tradition of Chinese
origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao).

Daoism maintained that the individual should ignore the dictates of society and seek only to
conform with the underlying pattern of the universe, the Dao (or Tao, meaning way), which can
neither be described in words nor conceived in thought.

Code:

Taoisms original ten precepts, along with twelve vows, are Taoist precepts and
vows, recorded in the Chishu Yujue (Red Writings And Jade Instructions), and were
adapted from Buddhism in the 5th century CE. Although similar their main emphasis
is on avoiding the five basic unwholesome actions: killing, lying, stealing, sexual
misconduct and intoxication.

The Ten Precepts

1. Dont harbor hatred or jealousy in your heart! Dont give rise to dark thieving thoughts! Be
reserved in speech and wary of transgressions! Keep your thoughts on the Divine Law!

2. Maintain a kind heart and do not kill! Have pity for and support all living beings! Be
compassionate and loving! Broadly reach out to bring universal redemption to all!

3. Maintain purity and be withdrawing in your social interactions! Be neither lascivious nor
thieving, but constantly harbor good thoughts! Always take from yourself to aid others!

4. Dont set your mind on sex or give rise to passion! Be not licentious in your heart but
remain pure and behave prudently! Make sure your actions are without blemish or stain!

5. Dont utter bad words! Dont use flowery and ornate language! Be straightforward within
and without! Dont commit excesses of speech!

6. Dont take liquor! Moderate your behavior! Regulate and harmonize your energy and
inner nature! Dont let your spirit be diminished!

Dont commit any of the myriad evils!

7. Dont be envious if others are better than yourself! Dont contend for achievement and
fame! Be retiring and modest in all things! Put yourself behind to serve the salvation of
others!

8. Dont criticize or debate the scriptures and teachings! Dont revile or slander the saintly
texts! Venerate the Divine Law with all your heart! Always act as if you were face to face
with the gods!

9. Dont create disturbance through verbal argumentation! Dont criticize any believers, be
they monks, nuns, male or female laity, or even heavenly beings! Remember, all censure
and hate diminishes your spirit and energy!

10. Be equanimous and of whole heart in all of your actions! Make sure that all exchanges
between humankind and the gods are proper and respectful!

TWELVE VOWS:
1. I will study the perfected scriptures that set forth the Divine Law and open the liberation
and salvation of all. I will bring forth a strong determination for the Tao. I vow to rise to the
status of a great sage in my lives to come.

2. I will constantly practice compassion. I vow that all will learn of the Divine Law and that
salvation will extend universally, without hindrance or distortion.

3. I will delight in the scriptures and teachings. I will study them widely to let my
understanding deepen and to make my determination firm and enlightened. I will liberate
and transform all those in ignorance and darkness.

4. I will respectfully receive the instructions of my teacher. I will spread the wonderful
teachings far and wide so that all living beings might enter the gate of the Divine Law and
forever depart from their paths of blindness.

5. I will cause my faith to extend to the heights of mystery and wonder. I will venerate and
honor the teachings and moral injunctions. I will recite the scriptures morning and night
without being lazy or remiss.

6. I will not labor for glory and fancy ornaments but break the chain of worldly causations. I
will maintain a steadfast heart and resolved determination, so that all I undertake will be
within the Divine Law.

7. I will diligently recite the great scriptures. I vow that all beings shall find the bridge of
release and that all future life will enjoy good karma.

8. I will always maintain a mind of friendliness, free from all perverseness or falsity. I will
remain without envy and ill-will, without evil and jealousy.

9. I will represent the sages in all situations where things are given life. I will pass on the
teachings of the Numinous Treasure uninterrupted and without lapse.

10. I will purify my body and keep the precepts. I will observe the fasts and establish merit.
Thereby I will lead the myriad beings to salvation and complete liberation.

11. I will read broadly in my studies and deeply penetrate the law contained in the
scriptures. Thus I will prepare the way for heavenly beings to save all.

12. I will be with an enlightened teacher life after life. I will receive the teachings and spread
them so that innumerable living beings may be saved.