TAOISM

 DEFINITION
Daoism or Taoism is a philosophical or religious tradition of Chinese origin which
emphasises living in harmony with the Dao literally: 'the Way', also romanized as
Tao). The Dao is a fundamental idea in most Chinese philosophical schools; in
Daoism, however, it denotes the principle that is the source, pattern and substance
of everything that exists. Daoism differs from Confucianism by not emphasising
rigid rituals and social order, but is similar in the sense that it is a teaching about
the various disciplines for achieving "perfection" by becoming one with the
unplanned rhythms of the universe called "the way" or "dao". Daoist ethics vary
depending on the particular school, but in general tend to emphasise wu wei (action
without intention), "naturalness", simplicity, spontaneity, and the Three Treasures:
"compassion", "frugality", and "humility".

Taoism (also known as Daoism) is a Chinese philosophy attributed to Lao Tzu (c.
500 BCE) which contributed to the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural
areas of China and became the official religion of the country under the Tang
Dynasty. Taoism is therefore both a philosophy and a religion. It emphasizes doing
what is natural and "going with the flow" in accordance with the Tao (or Dao), a
cosmic force which flows through all things and binds and releases them.

The philosophy grew from an observance of the natural world, and the religion
developed out of a belief in cosmic balance maintained and regulated by the Tao.
The original belief may or may not have included practices such as ancestor and
spirit worship but both of these principles are observed by many Taoists today and
have been for centuries.

Since the introduction of the Pinyin system for romanizing Mandarin Chinese, there
have been those who have felt that "Taoism" would be more appropriately spelled
as "Daoism". The Mandarin Chinese pronunciation for the word ("way, path") is
spelled as tao in the older Wade–Giles romanization system (from which the spelling
'Taoism' is derived), while it is spelled as dào in the newer Pinyin romanisation
system (from which the spelling 'Daoism' is derived). Both the Wade–Giles tao the
Pinyin dào are intended to be pronounced identically in Mandarin Chinese (like the
'd' in 'dog'), but despite this fact, "Taoism" and "Daoism" can be pronounced
differently in English vernacular.

The philosopher Chung-ying Cheng views Daoism as a religion that has been
embedded into Chinese history and tradition. "Whether Confucianism, Daoism, or
later Chinese Buddhism, they all fall into this pattern of thinking and organizing and
in this sense remain religious, even though individually and intellectually they also
assume forms of philosophy and practical wisdom." Chung-ying Cheng also noted
that the Daoist view of heaven flows mainly from "observation and meditation,
[though] the teaching of the way (dao) can also include the way of heaven
independently of human nature". In Chinese history, the three religions of
Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism stand on their own independent views, and
yet are "involved in a process of attempting to find harmonization and convergence
among themselves, so that we can speak of a 'unity of three religious teaching'
(sanjiao heyi)".

SYMBOLS

YIN YANG
The Yin-Yang Symbol is one you're probably already familiar with. It represents
Taoism's way of understanding opposites, e.g. masculine/feminine, light/dark.

The most well-known of Taoist visual symbols is the Yin-Yang, also known as the
Taiji symbol. The image consists of a circle divided into two teardrop-shaped halves
—one white and the other black. Within each half is contained a smaller circle of the
opposite color.

In terms of Taoist cosmology, the circle represents Tao—the undifferentiated unity

out of which all existence arises. The black and white halves within the circle
represent Yin-qi and Yang-qi—the primordial feminine and masculine energies
whose interplay gives birth to the manifest world: to the Five Elements and Ten-
Thousand Things.

The curves and circles of the Yin-Yang symbol imply a kaleidoscope-like movement.
This implied movement represents how Yin and Yang are mutually-arising,
interdependent, and continuously transforming, one into the other. One could not
exist without the other, for each contains the essence of the other. Night becomes
day, and day becomes night. Birth becomes death, and death becomes birth.
Friends become enemies, and enemies become friends. As Taoism teaches, such is
the nature of everything in the relative world.
HISTORY
• Started as a combination of psychology and philosophy but evolved into a
religious faith in 440CE when it was adopted as a state religion. At that time Lao-Tzu
became popularly venerated as a deity. Taoism, along with Buddhism and
Confucianism, became one of the three great religions in China.
• With the end of the Ch’ing Dynasty in 1911, state support for Taoism ended.
Much of the Taoist heritage was destroyed during the next period of warlordism.
• After the Communist victory in 1949, religious freedom was severely restricted.
Several million monks were reduced to fewer than 50,000 by 1960
• During the cultural revolution in China from 1966 to 1976, much of the remaining
Taoist heritage was destroyed.
• Early Developments
During the Han dynasty, aristocrats continued to study and refine the teachings of
Laozi and Zhuangzi, and some sought immortality through alchemy, self-cultivation
techniques, and the advice of the fangshi or "recipe masters.“
• Schisms and Sects
Toward the end of the Han dynasty, and continuing for several centuries, sacred
texts were revealed by deities and immortals. Around these texts were formed
enduring religious organizations.
• Missions and Expansion
Each Taoist sect experienced notable changes over the centuries, and Taoism also
became an integral part of Chinese popular culture. Transmission of Taoist religious
organizations beyond China has been limited almost entirely to immigrant
communities.
• Exploration and Conquest
Taoist groups sometimes formed alliances with rulers. As rivals, Buddhists and
Taoists occasionally tried to destroy one another, and rulers often tried to control
both as a way of sustaining their authority.
• Modern Age
Taoism was nearly destroyed during the upheavals in China during the late 19th
and 20th centuries, but temples and monasteries are now being rebuilt and new
clergy are being ordained.
FOUNDER
Little is truly known about the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu (sometimes also known
as Laozi or Lao Tze), who is a guiding figure in Daoism (also translated as Taoism), a
still popular spiritual practice. He is said to have been a record keeper in the court
of the central Chinese Zhou Dynasty in the 6th century B.C., and an older
contemporary of Confucius. This could be true, but he may also have been entirely
mythical—much like Homer in Western culture. It is certainly very unlikely that (as
some legends say) he was conceived when his mother saw a falling star, or was
born an old man with very long earlobes – or lived 990 years.
Lao Tzu is said to have tired of life in the Zhou court as it grew increasingly morally
corrupt. So he left and rode on a water buffalo to the western border of the Chinese
empire. Although he was dressed as a farmer, the border official recognised him
and asked him to write down his wisdom. According to this legend, what Lao Tzu
wrote became the sacred text called the Tao Te Ching. After writing this, Lao Tzu is
said to have crossed the border and disappeared from history, perhaps to become a
hermit. In reality, the Tao Te Ching is likely to be the compilation of the works of
many authors over time. But stories about Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching have
passed down through different Chinese philosophical schools for over two thousand
years and have become wondrously embellished in the process.
TAO-TE-CHING
The tao-te-ching is an attempt to remind people everyone could live together
peacefully if people would only be mindful of how their thoughts and actions affect
themselves, others, and the earth.

TRADITIONS & BELIEFS

Taoist Robes and Colors
Black Robe Taoist – You are the suckers, in a good way. Your job is to grab
things into the system, empowering the system with more juice, more
battery, more power. Remember you work with “the system” and not
anything outside, which means your job is to help the altar and the Tao to
get things charged or input into the Tao.
For example, a black robe Taoist can be accepting new disciples into the
lineage – now the disciple is “absorbed” into the lineage, the Tao.
For example, you can be helping the altar to get more potentials into the
system itself, like luck or wealth magic that sucks in good energy to store it
into the altar for cultivation and other purposes.
Green Robe Taoist – Your are the transfer and delivery person, and your
goal is to bring things from outside into the system. The difference between
this and the black robe (both bring in things!) is that the black robe brings in
things to “keep” only, and the green robe guys bring in things for use and
getting things into progress. The black robe is to bring in a package and
store it in the house, the green robe people take tools and things around the
house to make work get done easier, or to enhance/empower the work to be
done.

For example, you can be doing JING magic, purifying magic, which takes the
power that you channeled in to spray it onto here and there to empower the
place, purify the energy so that things can be done better later.

Thunder magic is also in this green robe category because your job in
“thunder” is to pull down resources from the surrounding and push it into the
ground (into the process), which also means to empower things for boosting
their process.

The green also delivers to the yellow (center force), which means the green
Taoist will also be responsible for sending announcing and sending the
“forms” and doing work like that to put things into the “heart” of the Tao.

Yellow Robe Taoist – These are the highest-level Taoist in charge because
they make the call and act like the boss. They can control and make the call
for what to bring in and what to execute or do as the Tao. Therefore, the
yellow Taoist are like generals, they can command this and that to happen or
to be done/executed. However, yellow force does NOT interact with the
outside. So either you have already pulled things into the altar to work on, or
you are just working on the altar force alone and have nothing to do with the
outside world.

For example, if you are doing magic on a person by distance, you can put a
representative of them on the altar, and now they have become part of the
altar (being contained by the altar). Then your yellow robe power will be
useful to process this person inside the altar system.

Red Robe Taoist – Red robe Taoist works with the outside world and will
project the power to interact with the outside world. For example, you will be
doing the exorcism to the house or people that are not part of the altar, and
your power will still project out to them and such.

Another great example is that you will be doing empowering, luck boosting,
enhancement and all sorts of “plus” and “positive” work to the things outside
of the altar itself.
White Robe Taoist – The last one is the color of full output, for the outside
to fully intake your package. This color is very important, because you can
send a full package (of magic) to someone, and you want them to contain it,
swallow it, and just eat it into their system, like to swallow a pill, you don’t
want them to be able to interact with you, but just to absorb what you will be
giving out.

Another example of using the white robe is when we are passing on magic
power to people, empowering them, or passing on some magic skills to
them, it will also be the white robe’s kind of job too.

Here are the main 10 beliefs of Taoism Religion.

1. Humanity

2. Yin Yang

3. Man’s Will

4. Three Jewels of Tao (i) Compassion, kindness, and love (ii) Moderation,
simplicity and frugality (iii) Humility and modesty

5. Five basic movements

6. Belief in Deity

7. Incarnation and Death

8. Good and Evil

9. Salvation

10. Immortals

Traditions

Religious Taoism follows two main traditions. Each has a clear hierarchical
and well-organised structure with special headquarters, rules, guidelines,
ordination rites and registration procedures.

The celestial masters (Tianshi or Zhengyi) - Temple Taoism are centred in

Taiwan. The Complete Perfection School ordains people and provides
monastic communities as a focus for Taoist practice and rituals.
Taoist priests

Taoist priests undergo long and intense training to acquire the necessary
skills.

Shamanism

Taoist experts believe that they can journey in spirit to higher realms of
being - in much the same way that Shamans can journey out of the body.

Rituals

A hall of worship of the Erwang Temple, a Taoist temple in Dujiangyan,

Sichuan.

• There are elements of the jingxiang religious practice (incense and candle
offerings).

• Also on particular holidays, street parades take place (involve firecrackers

and flower-covered floats broadcasting traditional music)

• They also variously include lion dances and dragon dances; human-
occupied puppets (often of the "Seventh Lord" and "Eighth Lord"), Kungfu-
practicing and palanquins carrying god-images.

• Fortune-telling—including astrology, I Ching, and other forms of divination

—has long been considered a traditional Taoist pursuit. Physical cultivation A
characteristic method aiming for longevity is Taoist alchemy. Already in very
early Taoist scriptures—like the Taiping Jing and the Baopuzi—alchemical
formulas for achieving immortality were outlined. A number of martial arts
traditions, particularly the ones falling under the category of Neijia (like t'ai
Chi Ch'uan, Bagua Zhang and Xing Yi Quan) embody Taoist principles to a
significant extent, and some practitioners consider their art a means of
practising Taoism.

CONFUCIANISM

 DEFINITION
Confucianism, also known as Ruism, is a system of thought and behavior originating
in ancient China. Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a
humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or simply a way of life.

Four Symbols of Confucianism

CONFUCIOUS
Represents the man who began the religion, as he is one of, if not the most
important person to come from this religion. He was very interested in the moral
conduct of people in society.

WATER
Is made for water is one of the five elements of Chinese philosophy. Water is viewed
as a life source, which most likely comes from it's importance in the natural world in
sustaining life.

SCHOLAR
Is made for the importance of knowledge and self-awareness. Confucius believed
one could never have too much knowledge, and the idea of an education has
become very important in Chinese culture today.

YIN YANG
Is common in other forms of Chinese relgion, and has different meanings. The
general meaning is that the circle represents a whole, while the halves and dots
depict opposites, interactions, or balance.

HISTORY

 Confucianism was made to stop the fall of Chinese society. After the Zhou
Dynasty fell, people cared only for themselves and did not have any respect
for others. Confucianism became a social order for China, teaching that social
relationships are the most important. People slowly started to believe in it,
because they wanted to have peace, but they had to care for themselves too.
As a result, Confucianism brought the people love, harmony, and respect for
one another.

 Confucianism was started in Ch'u-fu, Confucius's birthplace. The

fundamental principles of Confucianism began before his birth, during
the Zhou Dynasty. At that time, the ideas of respect and the well-being
of others were prevalent, but there was also an emphasis on spiritual
matters - specifically, the goodness of the divine and the mandate to
rule given to those in power. These ideas were meant to unite the
people, create stability and prevent rebellion.
Confucianism has spread around the world, but it is still more important in China.
The teachings of Confucius focus largely on the respect of one's parents, elders,
and ancestors. He also taught that humans 'can never stop learning'; meaning
that knowledge is infinite, therefore we will always learn, never stopping. For
example, he once asked a seven-year-old child to be his teacher, because the
 child knew something that he did not.
Confucius believed his philosophy was also a route toward a civil society.
However, he shifted attention away from ruling authorities, the divine or
one's future after death, focusing instead on the importance of daily life
and human interactions. This new, refined version of the philosophy did
not completely take root until the next dynasty, the Han (140-87 BC).

•Mencius: The paradigmatic Confucian intellectual

Mencius is known as the self-styled transmitter of the Confucian Way.
Educated first by his mother and then allegedly by a student of Confucius’s
grandson, Mencius brilliantly performed his role as a social critic, a moral
philosopher, and a political activist. He argued that cultivating a class of
scholar-officials who would not be directly involved in agriculture, industry,
and commerce was vital to the well-being of the state. In his sophisticated
argument against the physiocrats (those who advocated the supremacy of
agriculture), he intelligently employed the idea of the division of labour to
defend those who labor with their minds, observing that service is as
important as productivity.

 Xunzi: The transmitter of Confucian scholarship

If Mencius brought Confucian moral idealism to fruition, Xunzi (c. 300–c. 230
BCE) conscientiously transformed Confucianism into a realistic and
systematic inquiry on the human condition, with special reference to ritual
(li) and authority. Widely acknowledged as the most eminent of the notable
scholars who congregated in Jixia, the capital of the wealthy and powerful Qi
state in the mid-3rd century BCE, Xunzi distinguished himself in erudition
and by the quality of his argumentation. His critique of the so-called 12
philosophers gave an overview of the intellectual life of his time. His
penetrating insight into the limitations of virtually all the major currents of
thought propounded by his fellow thinkers helped to establish the Confucian
school as a dominant political and social force. His principal adversary,
however, was Mencius, and he vigorously attacked Mencius’s view that
human nature is good as naive moral optimism.
 Although it is transformed over time, it is still the substance of
learning, the source of values, and the social code of the Chinese. Its
influence has also extended to other countries, particularly Korea,
Japan , Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore as well. Books by
Confucius were required texts for admission to Chinese administration
for over 1500 years. Academies to another Asian country like Korea
and Japan were also in favor of Confucianism that leads to its diffusion
in East Asia.
TRADITIONS & BELIEFS

CONFUCIANISM BELIEF:
1. Silver Rule of Behavior
The rule is simple, and it implies that what you do not wish to choose for
yourself, never impose it on someone else.

2. Six Main Group of Belief

Yi - Righteousness
Xin - Honesty and Trustworthiness
Chung - Loyalty to the state, etc.
Li - includes ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc.
Hsiao - love within the family, love of parents for their children, and love of
children for their parents
Jen - benevolence, humanness towards one another (the most important
Confucianism virtue)

3. Five relationships
(i) Father and Son
(ii) A Ruler and a Citizen
(iii) Husband and Wife
(iv) Older Brother and Younger Brother
(v) Between two friends
Each one of these relationships must contain mutual respect to keep the
relationship working. Each one of us must perform our role to the best of our
relationship, and one must honor and remember the members who have
died. Ancestors are not to be seen as gods but remembering them is
considered as an important act Hsin.
PRACTICES AND RITUALS:

1. Birth
The Tai-Shen (spirit of the fetus) protects the expectant mother, and deals
harshly with anyone/thing that harasses or harms the woman. She receives a
special diet and is given one month to rest after the delivery of the baby. Her
parents are responsible for everything that is needed to support the child, on
the first, fourth, and twelfth month anniversary of the child's birth.

2. Marriage
There are six separate things that happen during the marriage rituals, these
include:

Propossal: Both sides of the relationship share the hour, day, month, and
year of their birth. If any upsetting events happens within the bride-to-be's
family within the next three days, it is believed that she has rejected the
proposal.
Engagement: After the couple decides the date of the wedding, the bride
announces the wedding with invitations and gifts of cookies shaped like the
moon.

Dowry: A dowry is a transfer of parental belongings when their daughter is

getting married. Gifts equal in value after given to the bride and groom.

Procession: The groom proceeds to the brides home, and brings her back to
his place, with much happiness and excitement.

Marriage: The couple recites their vows that will bond them together for a
lifetime, toast each other with wine, and then take center stage at a banquet
consisting of friends, and the families of both bride and groom.
Morning After: The bride serves breakfast to the grooms parents, and then
the parents do the same.
3. Death

After the death of a loved one, the family cry aloud to inform the neighbors
of the tragic news. The family begin to mourn by making clothes made of
course material, and wearing them. The corpse is placed in a coffin, and
many family and friends bring money to help with the cost of the funeral.
Food and objects important to the deceased are placed into the coffin with
him/her. A priest or minister of any religion performs the burial ritual. The
guests follow the coffin carrying a large willow tree branch. This is meant to
symbolize the soul of the person who has died. Later on, the branch is
carried back to the family altar where is used to "install" the spirit of the
deceased. A public worship (called a Liturgy) is performed on the seventh,
ninth, and forty-ninth days after the burial, along with the first- and third-
year anniversary of the death.