Chapter 2. Religions
of the World
. Taoism .
should read enough of the materials presented in this section concerning the
tradition of Taoism in order to understand how this tradition displays
the characteristics or elements that make a tradition one that would be
termed a “religion. The tradition presented in the materials below is one
of the world’s living religions. You reading should indicate why this is
THE ABSOLUTE: what do the
believers hold as most important? What is the ultimate source of value and
significance? For many, but not all religions, this is given some form of
agency and portrayed as a deity (deities). It might be a concept or ideal
as well as a figure.
THE WORLD: What does the belief
system say about the world? Its origin? its relation to the Absolute? Its
HUMANS: Where do they come
from? How do they fit into the general scheme of things? What is their
destiny or future?
THE PROBLEM FOR HUMANS: What is
the principle problem for humans that they must learn to deal with and
THE SOLUTION FOR HUMANS: How
are humans to solve or overcome the fundamental problems ?
COMMUNITY AND ETHICS: What is
the moral code as promulgated by the religion? What is the idea of
community and how humans are to live with one another?
AN INTERPRETATION OF HISTORY:
Does the religion offer an explanation for events occurring in time? Is
there a single linear history with time coming to an end or does time
recycle? Is there a plan working itself out in time and detectable in the
events of history?
RITUALS AND SYMBOLS: What are
the major rituals, holy days, garments, ceremonies and symbols?
LIFE AFTER DEATH: What is the
explanation given for what occurs after death? Does he religion support a
belief in souls or spirits which survive the death of the body? What is the
belief in what occurs afterwards? Is there a resurrection of the body?
Reincarnation? Dissolution? Extinction?
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER
RELIGIONS: What is the prescribed manner in which believers are to regard
other religions and the followers of other religions?
For those who wish to listen to information on the world's
religions here is a listing of PODCASTS on RELIGIONS by Cynthia
If you have iTunes on your computer just click and you will be led to the
Here is a link to the site for the textbook REVEALING WORLD RELIGIONS
related to which these podcasts were made.
Chinese philosophical and religious system, dating from about the 4th
century BC. Among native Chinese schools of thought, the
influence of Daoism has been second only to that of Confucianism.
essential Daoist philosophical and mystical beliefs can be found in the Daodejing
(Tao-te Ching, Classic of the Way and Its Power) attributed to the
historical figure Laozi (Lao-tzu, 570?-490? BC) and possibly compiled by
followers as late as the 3rd century BC. Whereas Confucianism urged the
individual to conform to the standards of an ideal social system, Daoism
maintained that the individual should ignore the dictates of society and
seek only to conform with the underlying pattern of the universe, the Dao
(or Tao, meaning “way”), which can neither be described in words nor
conceived in thought. To be in accord with Dao, one has to “do
nothing” (wuwei)—that is, nothing strained, artificial, or
unnatural. Through spontaneous compliance with the impulses of one's own
essential nature and by emptying oneself of all doctrines and knowledge,
one achieves unity with the Dao and derives from it a mystical power. This
power enables one to transcend all mundane distinctions, even the
distinction of life and death. At the sociopolitical level, the Daoists
called for a return to primitive agrarian life.
to the development of an explicit political theory, Daoism exerted its
greatest influence on Chinese aesthetics, hygiene, and religion. Alongside
the philosophical and mystical Daoism discussed above, Daoism also
developed on a popular level as a cult in which immortality was sought
and the use of various elixirs. Experimentation in alchemy
gave way to the development, between the 3rd and 6th centuries, of various
hygiene cults that sought to prolong life. These developed into a general
hygiene system, still practiced, that stresses regular breathing and
concentration to prevent disease and promote longevity.
the 2nd century AD, popular Daoist religious organizations
concerned with faith healing began to appear. Subsequently, under the
influence of Buddhism,
Daoist religious groups adopted institutional monasticism and a concern
for spiritual afterlife rather than bodily immortality. The basic
organization of these groups was the local parish, which supported a
Daoist priest with its contributions. Daoism was recognized as the
official religion of China for several brief periods. Various Daoist sects
eventually developed, and in 1019 the leader of one of these was given an
extensive tract of land in Jiangxi
(Kiangsi) Province. The successors of this patriarch maintained control
over this tract and nominal supremacy over local Daoist clergy until 1927,
when they were ousted by the Chinese Communists.
In contemporary China, religious Daoism has tended to merge with popular
Buddhism and other religions.
|Special thanks to the
Microsoft Corporation for their contribution to our site.
The information above came from Microsoft Encarta. Here is a
hyperlink to the Microsoft Encarta home page. http://www.encarta.msn.com
|About the Master Lao Tzu and His Teachings:
History and Canon
Images, Books, and Bibliographies
[A basic list of recent books in English. Recommended for
beginners, students, and others who want more detailed information and
more advanced interpretation of Taoism.]
Chinese History and Culture
Gate: In a Calabash, a Chinese Myth of Origins|
[An introduction and translation by Stephen
L. Field of Trinity University. Requires patient
| || |
Historiography for Chinese History|
[An extensive set of resources, some of them for advanced students,
provided by Professor Benjamin A. Elman at the University of
California at Los Angeles.]
| ||Condensed China|
[Chinese History for Beginners, provided by Paul Frankenstein, is
not a complete history of China, but is an very useful "greatest
hits" or "Cliff's Notes" that is an excellent
starting-point for the beginner or quick review for the old hand who
happens to be forgetful. The information is divided into the following
sections for easy access: Introduction, The Origins of Chinese
Civilization, The Early Empire, The Second Empire, The Birth of Modern
China, and Bibliography.]
East Asian History Sourcebook|
[A large set of linked resources on China, its cultures and
religions, in the context of its geographical setting.]
|CONTRIBUTORS: Judith Grote (2001) Donaldo
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© Copyright Philip A. Pecorino
2001. All Rights reserved.
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