Taoism (from Chinese 道, in pinyin dao4, and thus sometimes spelled Daoism, q.v. Dao vs Tao) is an Asian philosophy and religion, though it is also said to be neither but rather a way of life. Translated literally it means "Way" or "Path". The Dao is the natural order of things. It is a force that flows through every living or sentient object, as well as through the entire universe.
Daoism is a tradition that has, with its traditional foil Confucianism, shaped Chinese life for more than 2,000 years. Daoism places emphasis upon individual freedom and spontaneity, non-interventionist government and social primitivism and ideas of self-transformation, and so represents in many ways the antithesis to Confucian concern with individual moral duties, community standards, and governmental responsibilities.
Traditionally, Taoism has been attributed to three sources: The oldest, the mythical 'Yellow Emperor[?]'; the most famous, the book of mystical aphorisms, the 'Dao De Jing' (or in Wade-Giles spelling, 'Tao Te Ching'), said to be written by Lao Zi (Wade-Giles, Lao Tse), an older contemporary of Confucius; and the third, the works of the philosopher Zhuang Zi (Wade-Giles, Chuang Tse). Additionally, the original source of Taoism is often said to be the ancient 'I Ching', The Book Of Changes.
The Dao De Jing
Main article: Dao De JingThe Dao De Jing (《道德經》 in pinyin: dao4 de2 jing1, in Wade-Giles: Tao Te Ching, which is almost always used as the title of English editions of the book) was written in a time of seemingly endless feudal warfare and constant conflict. The literal meaning of the title is "Way Virtue Classic" (see Dao De Jing for more on the issue of translating the book's title into English.)
According to tradition, the book's author, Lao Zi, was a minor court official for an emperor of the Zhou dynasty. He became disgusted with the petty intrigues of court life, and set off alone to travel the vast western wastelands. As he was about to pass through the gate at the last western outpost, a guard, having heard of his wisdom, asked Lao Zi to write down his philosophy, and the Dao De Jing was the result. Lao Zi was reflecting on a way for humanity to follow which would put an end to conflicts and strife. He came up with a few pages of short verses, which became the Dao De Jing. This is the original book of Daoism.
For complete or partial Dao De Jing, access the external links at the bottom of the page.
Taoist Philosophy
- Do not try to force things on people. It will not help. Be compassionate. It helps.
- Be still and unmovable, accept what happens, let it flow over you (see 'wu wei' below).
- Dualism, the opposition and combination of the Universe's two basic principles of Yin and Yang is a large part of the philosophy. Some of the common pairs are male and female, light and dark, strong and weak, action and inaction. Taoists believe that neither side is more important than the other; indeed, neither can exist without the other, as they are ultimately aspects of the same whole. They flow into each other. They complete each other. It is a balance.
- Oneness - by realising that all things (including ourselves) are interdependent and constantly redefined as circumstances change, we come to see all things as they are, and ourselves as a simple part of the current moment. This understanding of oneness leads us to appreciation of life's events and our place within them as simple miraculous moments which `just are'.
- Tempering desire breeds contentment. This is because Daoists understand that when one's desire is satisfied, another, more ambitious desire will simply spring up to replace it. In essence, most Daoists feel that life should be appreciated as-is, rather than forced to be something it isn't. Ideally, you should not desire anything, not even non-desire.
Wu Wei
Much of the essence of Dao is in the art of 'wu wei[?]' (action through inaction). This doesn't mean, "sit doing nothing and wait for everything to fall into your lap." It describes a practice of accomplishing things through minimal action -- by studying the nature of life, you can affect it in the easiest and least disruptive way. It is the practice of working with the stream rather than against it; one progresses the most not by struggling against the stream and thrashing about, but by remaining still and letting the stream do all the work.
The Taoist Religion
Though specific religious aspects are not mentioned at all in the Dao De Jing, as Taoism spread through the population of China, Taoist priests appeared and more ritualistic elements became associated with Taoism, especially among the peasantry. Practices such as ancestor worship, alchemy, and magic spells became common. Attempts to procure greater longevity were a frequent theme in Taoist alchemy and magic, with many extant spells and potions for that purpose. An entire pantheon of deities was created, with Lao Zi and other famous personas elevated to the status of gods.See also: Eastern philosophy, list of Taoists, Do, Yingtan
External Links
- Peter Merel's interpolation of the Dao De Jing (http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/gthursby/taoism/ttcmerel.htm)
- Dao De Jing, Zhuang Zi, Lao Zi in both English and Chinese (http://www.geocities.com/tao4dummies/reading_list.html)
- Sonja Elen Kisa's translation of the Dao De Jing (selected poems) (http://www.kisa.ca/daodejing.html)
- Classical and Vernacular Chinese, and English versions of Dao De Jing from the City University of Hong Kong (http://www.ee.cityu.edu.hk/~lmpo/laozi/)
- Western Reform Taoism, including several translations of the Tao Te Ching (http://www.wrt.org)
Common misspelling and questions (FAQ)
ao to ta ato toa ta ttao taao taoo 5ao rao fao 6ao gao 6ao yao gao tqo two tzo two tso tzo ta9 tai tak ta0 tal ta0 tap tal yao tyao taosI was a beggar maid! This golden crown I wear upon my head? This rope of pearls, this ring, these silken shoon? Not long ago the silver crescent moon And cities seemed vast centuries away; Carried me through the wonder of the night, My life was all one splendid, singing hour! I love my king -- He raised me from the dust, My hair hung, tangled, to the waist of me, Deep into them! He never knew my name, or asked my creed, I love my king, I love him well, but, oh -- (A crown seems very heavy to me, now,) A gown of rags. (Now, velvets stifle me!) To toil for me. While I must sit in state above the land -- I was a beggar maid, I used to lie And, now that I am queen, my being longs Of night birds nesting in some forest tree -- I want to climb the crest of some great hill, Before the color of them! I would stand Take on the tint of twilight. My gypsie prayer, again, at close of day! I love my king -- for he has given me And rubies, red as sunset clouds a-glow At twilight-time. But I would wear, instead, And I would dance, barefooted, on the sod, I tear it from my smoothly plaited hair -- Am I a queen -- am I a monarch's bride? I pull them off, the glowing gems, the ring. . . . .