Explore Taoism

Yin-Yang is a dominant philosophical concept that is shared by most schools of Chinese philosophy. It is used to explain 3 basic things:

·         yinyang as the coherent fabric of nature and mind, exhibited in all existence,

·         yinyang as jiao (interaction) between the waxing and waning of the cosmic and human realms, and

·         yinyang as a process of harmonization ensuring a constant, dynamic balance of all things.

The earliest instances that have been found of ying-yang are inscriptions made on oracle bones where ying and yang are descriptions of natural phenomena such as weather conditions etc.

The interpretation of ying-yang that has stood the test of time for the longest is related to the concept of ‘chi’ or vital energy.  According to this interpretation ying and yang are ‘chi’ which operate in the universe.  In the “Duke Shao” chapter of the Zuozhuan (The Book of History), yin and yang are first defined as two of six heavenly qi:

There are six heavenly influences [qi] which descend and produce the five tastes, go forth in the five colours, and are verified in the five notes; but when they are in excess, they produce the six diseases. Those six influences are denominated the yin, the yang, wind, rain, obscurity, and brightness. In their separation, they form the four seasons; in their order, they form the five (elementary) terms. When any of them is in excess, they ensure calamity. An excess of the yin leads to diseases of cold; of the yang, to diseases of heat.

Ying yang has also been spoken of as some concrete substance (xingzhi) according to which yixing and yangxing explain all the concepts in the universe and yang was identified with the sun and ying with the moon.

It is believed that both human as well as heavenly bodies have ying-yang and that they are present everywhere to bring about harmony in the universe.

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In Tao beliefs, Chi is the vital energy in the universe from which the rest of the world was created. It is believed to exist in every living creature. Though the source of Chi is unknown to man, it is cosmic in nature and it is manifested and can be applied practically through disciplines such as martial arts.

People try to create a link between themselves and Chi by using images and pictures of gods in religious ceremonies which they believe bring themselves closer to the Chi and helps them find the path in life. It is common Taoist belief that this connection to Chi gives them mental strength and fortitude and gives them a better understanding of life and all its realities. This connection makes them realize their mistakes in the past and also helps them see clearly their place in the world.

Chi Kung is the ancient art of developing such energy which brings with it better health, longevity, vitality and helps one become more spiritual no matter what one’s religion, sex or cultural beliefs. This is called Chi Kung in Taoism while Hindus refer to their method as Yoga and the Ancient Egyptians called it the ‘mystery art’.

Attaining the energy helps in curing a number of diseases from everyday ailments to more serious medical problems.  A lower level of chi kung training brings about better blood circulation, muscle relaxation and the like while a slightly more advanced level of chi kung is believed to prevent ailments like common cold, fever and curing things like asthma, body aches and pains, tuberculosis and some others. High level practicing of Chi Kung is believed to give one enough energy to fight diseases like ulcers, diabetes and even cancer.

This is based on the belief that if there is insufficient energy in the human body the natural systems of the body do not work properly and thus illness occurs.

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The three jewels or the three treasures as they are also called are the basic virtues of Taoism. They first appeared in chapter 67 of the Tai Te Ching and are considered Laozi’s most beautiful teachings.

Every one says my Tao is greatly like folly. Just because it is great, it looks like folly. Great ways do not look like the ordinary anyhow. If it did not look like folly, it could have turned small and petty long ago! Then it would have been small. As for things that do not look foolish to common men, there can be no question about their smallness.

Ihave three treasures. Guard and keep them:
The first is a deep, deep concern; call it mystic pity, if you like.
The second is never too much, which may mean frugality.
And the third is refusal to be ahead, foremost or first, for I hardly dare to be ahead. – Arthur Waley, Ling Yutang & Wing tsit Chan

The first treasure is ci which means compassion, tenderness, love, mercy, benevolence and is also used in Chinese to mean mother.

The second treasure is called jian which literally means frugality, restraint, moderation, economy. It is believed that this practice is connected and stands for the fact that nature does not waste anything. It means simple desires when applied to life.

The third treasure is bugan wei tianxia xian which means to not be the first or ahead in the world. This is interpreted as being the Taoist way of avoiding premature death. Being ahead of the world means making oneself susceptible to the world’s destructive forces. This fear of death arises out of a love for life and is at the centre of Taoist wisdom.

Thus these three treasures are the central tenets of Taoism and are followed closely by quite a number of people.

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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.