Except for a few straightlaced Confucians and a few pious Taoists, the Chinese man or woman practiced both -- either at different phases of life or as different sides of personality and taste.
Some Taoists searched for "isles of the immortals," or for herbs or chemical compounds that could ensure immortality. More often, Taoists were interested in health and vitality; they experimented with herbal medicine and pharmacology, greatly advancing these arts; they developed principles of macrobiotic cooking and other healthy diets; they developed systems of gymnastics and massage to keep the body strong and youthful. .
"We believe in the formless and eternal Tao, and we recognize all personified deities as being mere human constructs. We reject hatred, intolerance, and unnecessary violence, and embrace harmony, love and learning, as we are taught by Nature. We place our trust and our lives in the Tao, that we may live in peace and balance with the Universe, both in this mortal life and beyond." Creed of the Western Reform Taoist Congregation 1.
Tao (pronounced "Dow") can be roughly translated into English as path, or the way. It is basically indefinable. It has to be experienced. It "refers to a power which envelops, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-living. The Tao regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. It embodies the harmony of opposites (i.e. there would be no love without hate, no light without dark, no male without female.)" 2 .
The founder of Taoism is believed by many to be Lao-Tse (604-531 BCE), a contemporary of Confucius. (Alternate spellings: Lao Tze, Lao Tsu, Lao Tzu, Laozi, Laotze, etc.). He was searching for a way that would avoid the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that disrupted society during his lifetime. The result was his book: Tao-te-Ching (a.k.a. Daodejing). Others believe that he is a mythical character. .
Taoism started as a combination of psychology and philosophy but evolved into a religious faith in 440 CE when it was adopted as a state religion.
Taoism has found its way into modern living. ... But Taoism is deeper than Yin and Yang. ... Taoism is virtually indefinable. The best way to understand Taoism is to live the life. ... Same is thought to be true of Taoism. ...
Confucianism and Taoism In a world conflicted with crime, hatred, and the doings of a radical generation x, now more than ever, we should look toward the fundamental schools of thought of the Chinese: Confucianism and Taoism. Fundamentally sound, the principles of Confucianism emphasize an individual's responsibility to act purposefully and sensibly, while its sister philosophy, Taoism, stresses the joyful acceptance of life and an appreciation for the natural world. ... Taoism's focus on the natural world and happiness with life is important also, but the elementary basics of be...
Taoism and Confucianism Decisions often stand in the way of life. ... In China, in particular, Taoism and Confucianism offer two options. ... Taoism teaches that a person must live naturally, in the "way". ... Also, Taoism is not led or governed by a hierarchy but by a concept. ... Taoism, on the other hand, tells people to live naturally and do what comes naturally and thereby others" views of how life should be, must not influence how one lives their own life. ...
This essay will compare and contrast the philosophical differences and similarities of Confucianism and Taoism. ... Taoism is based on living a simple life. ... Taoism thinks that the more a man knows the stranger things happen. ... Taoism lives by no laws or penalties. ... Now that the philosophical differences and similarities of Confucianism and Taoism have been compared and contrasted, you will know which life you live and which one you want to live. ...
With over three thousand years of history; China has used Confucianism and Taoism to foster its people to expand their consciousness as it relates to self and others. ... From among these schools emerged schools of Confucianism and Taoism. ... Mans very own self awareness defines one state of consciousness and this is the focus in which the practice of Taoism consist of. In more practical terms Taoism provides a way of live adapted to suit any individual by way of incorporating techniques from the physical and the meditative. ...
Taoism (pronounced Daoism) is an ancient religion that originated in China over 2000 years ago. ... The ongoing beliefs and philosophies of Taoism are sustained through rituals and sacred spaces, practices, deities and sacred texts. ... In Taoism, the Tao represents the force behind everything that exists both spiritually and physically. ... Lao-Tzu was a philosopher who was believed to have been one of the many deities as well as the founder of philosophical Taoism. The Taoist beliefs have been shaped and influenced by the deities and supernatural beings of Taoism. ...
