http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/beliefs/tao.shtml
Relating to the Tao -Not always easy to draw accurate distinctions between ideas that are fundamentally Taoist and ideas that Taoism took from elsewhere -Tao cannot be described in words -Human language can only give hints that may help to form an idea -Most important: how the Tao works in the world/how humans relate to it -Speculation as to what the Tao is is less important than living in sensitive response to it The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth; The Named is the mother of all things. ...... There was something undifferentiated and yet complete, Which existed before Heaven and Earth. Soundless and formless it depends on nothing and does not change. It operates everywhere and is free from danger. It may be considered the mother of the universe. I do not know its name; I call it Tao. ...... All things in the world come from being. And being comes from non-being. (form comes from formlessness)? -The Tao is not a thing or substance.....can only be observed -Gives rise to all being but does not have being itself -NOT a god -NOT an object...energy....a system of guidance -One can translate 'achieving union with the Tao' into 'developing oneself so as to live in complete conformity with the teachings of the Tao' which is easier to understand, and closer to the truth.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/history/history.shtml
-No founder, no founding date -Grew out of various religions/philosophies in ancient China -Zhang Daoling = first "Celestial Master" and founder of first organized Taoist school of thought "Early religious Taoism was rooted in the ideas of the Taoist thinkers, to which were added local religious rituals and beliefs, both to provide examples of Taoist philosophy, and integrate Taoism into the existing world views of all levels of the Chinese people." -First recognized as a religious system during the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE -Publication of Tao Te Ching = unknown "Taoism became a semi-official Chinese religion during the Tang dynasty and continued during the Song dynasty. As Confucianism gained popularity Taoism gradually fell from favour, and changed from an official religion to a popular religious tradition." -After Communist Revolution, Taoism was banned, number of practicing Taoists fell by 99% in 10 years "After the end of the Cultural Revolution the Chinese government began to allow a small measure of religious freedom. Taoism began to revive in China, and Taoist temples and practitioners can now be found throughout the country." http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/ataglance/glance.shtml
-Taoism originated in ancient China -2000 years old -Unity and opposites, complementary forces -"Before the Communist revolution fifty years ago, Taoism was one of the strongest religions in China. After a campaign to destroy non-Communist religion, however, the numbers significantly reduced, and it has become difficult to assess the statistical popularity of Taoism in the world." -2001 census recorded 3,500 Taoists in England and Wales BBC's got some good summaries that get the basics down. Here are some more notes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/rites/rites.shtml Order and Harmony -Order and harmony in the many layers of the cosmos (aka, the world of nature) -Harmony between whole cosmos, human society, and inner world of individuals -Many practice meditation, instrument playing, dancing...etc -One major ritual = chiao (jiao), a rite of cosmic renewal... ritual to restore order to the universe/bring peace and prosperity -Balance flow of yin and yang for individuals and the wider community Theory:
-Ethics concerned less with doing good acts than becoming a good person who lives in harmony with all things and people -Taoist ethics and spirituality contain the same ideas -Take decisions in context of the Tao: what will fit best with the natural order of things? -Tend not to initiate action... Instead, one must wait for events to make action necessary and avoid letting your own desires and compulsions push you into doing things. -Always do what is required by events and their context, but never more than what is required. Personal Community & Ethics: -A person takes action by changing themselves, thus becoming an example of good to others. -One should develop themselves so they live in harmony with the universe. (Not do good things- be a good person) -Change yourself to make the world a better place. If a person behaves well and becomes better, the community will respond in the same way. In the Te Ching, the Taoist life is one in which one achieves self-fulfilment as one is selflessly benefiting the lives of others. Russell Kirkland |