Taoism
Taoism is a philosophy, a religion and also the basis for Traditional Chinese Medication. It represents the wisdom accumulated over 5,000 years of Chinese history. Together with Confucianism and Buddhism, it has been continuously guiding Chinese in behaviors and governing.
Taoism is a genuine Chinese religion. Some hold the opinion that without understanding Taoism, there can be no understanding of Chinese culture. Lao Zi was the creator of Taoism. According to the Shi Ji, by Sima Qian , Lao Zi was named Li Er, with Dan as his alias. He was a reputed thinker around 6th century B.C. There are many legends about Lao Zi but few historical records. He left a 5, 000-word book and went on his ox from Hangu Pass and to where nobody knows! Lao Zi's 5,000 words are rather concise compared to his profound ideological system but there were numerous books interpreting the true meaning of his book.
Taoism was the philosophy about the "truth" of the universe, or the law of nature. Tao, the essence as well as the sum and substance of Taoism, is a composite word made up of two Chinese word characters: the character "Shou", meaning "first", "beginning" or "leader" and the character "Zou", meaning "to walk", or 'to pace". Taoism is the philosophy suggesting the idea of the "Way" or the "Path" in which we should walk – the one path of life. Tao is the eternal law of nature; it never changes, but witnesses and withstands all changes. It is sublime and majestic, but it is formless, nameless and indefinable. According to Taoism, in order to have the "happiness" and "long life", one must follow the Tao, or the law of nature and must harmonize his own rhythm to the pulse of the nature, to the changing of the seasons, to the flow of the things. Taoist theology focuses on doctrines of Wu Wei ("non-action"), spontaneity, humanism, relativism and emptiness. This philosophical aspect of Taoism emphasizes various themes found in the Tao Te Ching such as naturalness, vitality, peace, "non-action" (Wu Wei), emptiness, refinement, detachment, the strength of softness (or flexibility), and in the Zhuangzi such as receptiveness, spontaneity, the relativism of human ways of life, ways of speaking and guiding behavior. Taoism is a peaceful 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. Taoism welcomed its silver age from Tang Dynasty (618-907) to Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Many sects were formed during this period. Taoist temples were scattered all over the country and Taoist masters came forth in great number. After Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Taoism has divided into two major sects: Quanzhen Sect and Zhengyi Sect. 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 Taoism. The interior unity of Taoism was shaken and conflicts arose. In Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Manchu royal family honored Tibetan Buddhism and showed no interest in Taoism. So Taoism eventually lost the support from the upper rulers. Generally, it became a secret religious organization. During the Opium War, Taoism 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 Taoism.
By 1949when the People's Republic of China was founded, there were about 40,000 Taoists and 20,000 Taoist temples. Today there are still many Taoist temples in china. The Louguan Temple is a famous Taoist shrine in China, and it is revered as "the first land of the blessed under heaven". The temple is situated on the hillside north of the Zhong nan Mountains, 15 kilometers southeast of Zhouzhi County and 70 kilometers from Xi'an City, Shaanxi province. The others Taoist temples are Taoist Temple of the Eight Immortals (Ba Xian An) in Xian,Qing Yang Temple in Chengdu Sichuan province, Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong, and Zi Xiao (Purple Heaven) Temple on Mt. Wu Dang in Hubei province. Famous Taoist Holy Mountains in China are Mt.Wu Dang, Mt.Long Hu Shan, Mt.Qing Cheng in Sichuan province, Mt.Hua Shan in Shaanxi province. Mt.Lao Shan inShandong province, Mt.Huang Shan in Anhui province, Mt.Heng Shan in Hunan province.Mt.Heng Shan in Shanxi Province , Mt.Song Shan in Henan province. Mt.Taishan in Shandong province, and Mt. Wuyishan in Fujian province etc.
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