___ Taoism, Daoism (Chinese: 道教; pinyin: Dàojiāo)

Chinese philosophy to signify the fundamental or true nature

of the world: simplicity and selflessness in conformity with
the Tao, leading a life of non-purposive action, a life
expressing the essence of spontaneity..

Taoism, also known as Daoism, arose about the same time as Confucianism.
Laoze (Chinese: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ, also Laotzi, Laotse, Lao-Tse, Lao-tzu,
Lao Zi or Lão Tu), is considered to have written a book of 81 chapters,
named Tao Te Ching, also Daodejing (trad. Chinese: 道德經; simpl. Chinese:
道德经; pinyin: Dàodéjīng), a classical Chinese text, mainly concerning 道
tao/ dào "way," and 德 te/dé "virtue”, life, strength.

Taoist thought focuses on genuineness, longevity, health, immortality, vitality,

wu wei (non-action, a natural action, a perfect equilibrium with tao),
detachment, refinement (emptiness), spontaneity, transformation and omni-
potentiality.

This religious and philosophical tradition of Taoism had its roots in the nature
worship and divination of the earliest Chinese people.

The word ‘Tao’ 道 (or Dao) translates into "path", ”method”, “principle” or
"way", the character 教 translates into ‘”teach” or “class” and Taoist belief is
based on the idea that there is central or organizing principle of the Universe,
a natural order or a "way of heaven", Tao, that one can come to know by
living in harmony with nature and hence with the cosmos and the Universe.

The philosophy of Tao signifies the fundamental or true nature of the world, it
is the essential, unnameable process of the universe. Tao both precedes and
encompasses the universe.

Nothing in the Universe is fixed, static or non moving; per se everything is

transforming all the time.
The flow of ‘chi’ energy, as the essential energy of action, existence and
active principle forming part of any living things, is compared and believed to
be the influence that keeps the universal order of Tao balanced.

Analogies exist between all levels of existence: the Universe, the cosmos,
Earth and mankind are structured analogically and are equal in detail, forming
an interconnected whole.
Through an understanding of natural laws, an individual can be one with the
Tao by living in accordance with nature (cosmos/ Universe) and all its
transformations and changes, adopting and assimilating to these, and hence
can gain eternal life.

With and due to the transformations and changes of the phenomena

everything and every being spontaneously, by intuition and in impulse
establishes its own ‘way’.

From an ethical point of view it is considered correct not to interfere with the
spontaneity or alter it by any means, expressed by ‘wu wei’ (chin. 無爲 / 无为,
wúwéi or also in Chinese: 爲無爲 / 为无为, wéi wúwéi, non- action as in
abstention of any action opposing nature).

All things with their transformations and changes are considered to be self
regulating, self expressing in their natural form.

‘Wu wei’ does not signify not acting at all, but rather not forcing things on their
way. Wu wei signifies that the action should be immediately in accordance
with the Tao, hence the necessary will be done without exaggeration,
hyperbole or overeagerness as these are considered obstructive, though
rather in an easy, facile, non disturbing way, leading to overall harmony and
balance. It is a state of inner tranquillity, which will show the right effortless
action at the right time.
(i.e. the harmonious complexity of natural ecosystems- the tao- works well
without man made changes- wu wei.

URL: https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/taoism.htm