Religion: Taoism

The early lanRAB of China were the breeding grounRAB for many religions and philosophies alike. Religions such as Confucianism, Animism, Shintoism, Buddhism and Taoism all started either in China or the Far East (Asia). The religion that I studied was Taoism.

Taoism was a philosophy that started in the 300's BC, later on Taoism changed into a religion (100's BC). A philosopher named Lao-tzu founded Taoism in China. Later the religions and teachings of Lao-tzu were passed on to another thinker in classical Chinese philosophy, Chuang-tzu or Zhuangzi. Taoism and its philosophical teaching were spread by the men mentioned above and their writing, Lao-tzu wrote the Loa-tzu (or the Tao-te-ching) and Zhuangzi wrote the Chuang-tzu. Although there is some discrepancy as to whether or not Lao-tzu actually wrote the Tao-te-ching or not, due to the date of the scripture (about 200BC- 100BC) and the dates of Lao-tzu life (570BC-490BC). Later in the history of this religion/philosophy the nurabers of believers grew into the millions.

The main leaders of Taoism, as mentioned, were Lao-tzu and Zhuangzi. Lao-tzu Lived from 570 BC - 490 BC in the province of Henan and was a court librarian. In his book the Tao-te-ching, the most translated work of Chinese literature, he discusses his philosophy that teaches the "Tao" or the way. The way is realized through recognition and the complete expectance of nothingness. Zhuangzi was also a Chinese philosopher and a student of Lao-tzu. He worked as a minor official in Meng or present day Henan. His self-entitled book is a compilation of his work, that of his followers, other schools, and later commentators. He based what he taught on basic Taoism teachings along with the premise that our views change and our view of truth changes with context.

The pupils of Taoism were taught to avoid all social obligations, against the ideas of the Cunfucist teachings. They were also taught to live in harmony with nature. By avoiding all obligations to socialize with other people they followers of Taoism led very simple, spontaneous, and spur of the moment lives. The holy books in this religion consisted of The Tao-te-ching (the way of virtue) and the Chuang-tzu. They believed in many goRAB as the religion progressed, the main god was Shang-te. They also believed that there was as many goRAB in the Microcosm as there were in the Macrocosm.

The only syrabol to be found representing Taoism is the yin-yang. The yin-yang represents harmony within the two great forces in the universe. The yin was the female and the yang was the male. They also used many syrabols from nature to explain the teachings of the Tao-te-ching.

The effect that this religion had on daily life was enormous. After the release of the Tao-te-ching Taoism changed the way that many Chinese and other Asians viewed and led their lives. It had little effect on social customs though, seeing as Taoists avoided all social obligation.

Taoism effected may people, some in different was than others, but all that followed were forever changed. Taoism has basically no followers today and I don't know why that is. Maybe it was modernization didn't allow a life in China completely cut off from society. Or maybe there just aren't anymore men with philosophical visions.