Explore Taoism

Taoism or Daoism as it is also known is a religion that is native to China. With the spread and growth of the Taoist religion, Taoism got its own pantheon of gods which grew between the 2^nd and the 6^th centuries who are viewed as having come from the Tao itself.

On the basis of importance and supremacy Tao gods are divided into two classes: gods of the Prior Heavens and those of the Posterior Heavens and the former are at the top of the hierarchy of Taoist gods. The Three Pure Ones who form a part of the Prior Heavens are excluded from change and represent the mystical sources of life, primordial breath and the blessings in the world of the Posterior Heavens.

The gods of the Posterior Heavens are more commonly worshipped by Taoists and they are prayed to in times of change. When change occurs they again are divided into three categories: those of heaven, those of the world of nature and man and those of the underworld hidden beneath the oceans.

These three categories or parts of the visible world are greatly influenced by the change of seasons and by the complementary relationship and interaction of ying and yang which form the basis of the religion of Tao. In addition to the Three Pure Ones there are a huge number of Taoist gods. In fact the number of gods in this religion is comparable to the size of the pantheon of Hindu gods & goddesses. Each of the gods has a different role to play including that of safeguarding the people, writing literature to be followed by Taoists and there are goddesses of fertility and immortality, the gods of wealth and culture, the god to drive away spirits and the and the gods who are warriors and the one who credited martial arts.

Unlike most religions in the world, Taoism is one of the rare breed of religions who has a deity to lead and safeguard the people in almost every sphere of life.

The ancient philosophy of Tao was first put into words when Lao Tzu was leaving China. The documents that he wrote went on to become the holy book of Taoism.

Another very popular but comparatively lesser known author is Chang Tzu. Two of his books, The way of Chang Tzu and Inner Chapters have gained wide recognition in the world.

Taoism has certain principle and based on these principles gives us a way of seeing and understanding reality. The belief that there is life in every organic thing and that it has energy is the basis of all Tao writings.

The most popular book on Tao philosophy is the Tao te Ching written by Lao Tzu and is the fundamental book of Tao philosophy. It also happens to be the third most translated book after the Bible and the Bhagwad Gita. There are many speculations about this book some being that the book was written by a number of people and compiled over 800 years and that Lao Tzu never existed and that it was just a name used by the people who wished to remain anonymous.

Some sources say that there is a core teaching which is only a few lines and that the same teaching is expanded in chapters in the book. There is a lot of mystery about this book. It is said that the book was not written on a scroll but on strips of bamboo which led to some confusion.

Many scholars believe that only the first seventy sections of the Tao te Ching were written originally and the rest were added a hundred years later. This is believed because the first part talks about the state in a positive way while the rest speaks about it with discontent.

The confusion surrounding the book has made not affected its popularity and the philosophy of the religion of Taoism has appealed to thousands around the world and more and more people are adopting it, especially in the United States of America.

The concept of Tao (Dao) has not yet been defined. Scholars and followers believe Taoism needs to be experienced to be understood. Tao philosophy is about how opposite elements in the universe co-exist and function in harmony. The Ying and Yang concept embodies this very concept. It is the male and the female part, the opposites, existing in mutual harmony.

Taoism started off as a mixture of philosophy and psychology, but over the centuries has evolved into a religious belief. It was for some time the state religion of China. It was started by the philosopher Lao Tzu, who lived around 600 B.C, a little before the other great Chinese philosopher and historian Confucius. The present Taoism is a mixture of the original beliefs of its founder and that of the people of China. Over the years spells and charms began to be included in Taoist beliefs and the indigenous people of China also began to worship their ancestors. Thus came into existence, Taoism as we know it.

Lao Tzu believed that there was energy in everything including plants and animals and these elements blend in harmony and that one cannot exist without the other. Lao Tzu also believed that people should be allowed to make their own decisions and the government should not intervene with laws and rules and thus forcing people to follow them blindly. He was against governance.

It is rumoured that Lao soon be angered and disappointed with the state China and decided to leave the country. On his journey across the borders, a guard stopped him and refused to let him leave until he recorded all his philosophy and teachings on paper. These documents were to become the religious book of Taoism, the Tao te Ching.

Taoism has around 30 million followers, most of them in Taiwan. It has given rise to many other forms and offshoots including the very popular form of martial arts- Tai Chi.