Define tao12/20/2023 Extremes of any kind are only temporary, just as one reaching the mountain peak can only go downward. Meaning is produced in terms of contrasts (high/low, good/bad, etc.) that divide our experience. The epistemology here is relativist, and no absolute positions are tenable. and found in 1973 at Ma-wang-tui, has instead the Te Tao Ching.Īmong the many ideas articulated in this rather rambling collection of poetic aphorisms are a polarity (though not a dualism) of yin and yang motifs such as male/female, powerful/powerless, famous/unknown, and mountain/valley. However, a version of the text, dating from before 168 b.c.e. Ching means a book or "classic." The text is divided into two halves, the Tao section and the Te section. Tao is literally "way" or "the way," as in "the way things are." Te is the "power" or "virtue" that comes through attunement with the Tao. It is foundational for all forms of Taoism, though interpretations of the text vary widely. and attributed to the obscure figure Lao Tzu ("The Old Master" or "The Old Boy"). Tin Yat Dragon.The Tao Te Ching (also Daodejing, Tao Te King) is a Chinese text dating from the fourth or third century b.c.e. There are several different types of Taoism, some that combine the principles of Laozi with traditional Chinese deity worship, and some that adhere more strictly to the original tenets and believe only in the concepts of the Tao, qi, and wu-wei. Traditionalist polytheistic Taoists believe in traditional concepts of Heaven and the Underworld, but many modern Taoists today disregard old conceptions of the afterlife and instead believe that people can live on in the Tao after their physical death through metaphysical union. The yin and yang symbol, the famous icon of Taoism, encapsulates the idea that one must be in a harmony between two opposing forces in one's life and remain neutral to either side. It also advocates for being happy with what you have and not pursuing unrealistic dreams. The doctrine of wu-wei advocates to not push back or resist what ever comes your way in life, and to let it be and accept its presence. Taoists believe the best way to live life is through the principle of "wu-wei", which translates to "inaction" or "inexertion". Taoists use the word qi to describe energy moving through and altering things in the universe as a result of the Tao. Many scholars have labeled Taoism as pantheistic. The essence of the Tao is seen in nature, in which all action occurs without any sort of meaning or greater purpose, but is rather the flow of change and energy. The Tao can best be described as the chaotic power of reality that causes change to happen and things to come in and out of the world without direction or intention. Taoists believe that the main principle behind the universe is an esoteric force known as the Tao. He is assumed to have been the first Taoist, but nobody knows for sure if he was a real person or not.īeliefs and practices Like Lao Tzu, his sayings and stories are today put together as a book, and translated into English and other languages. He is assumed to have written Tao Te Ching. Some important people of the history of Taoism are: People do not always write about their religions at first, so this religion may be much older. Taoism first showed up in writing in China in 142 C.E. Taoists also believe that conflict is not good and that if you have a problem with something, it is better to find a way around it. This is one of the most important principles in Taoism. Instead of spending a lot of time trying to explain what the Tao is, Taoists focus on living a simple and balanced life in harmony with nature. The very first line of the Dào Dé Jīng ( 道德经), the most important text in Taoism, says "the Way that can be explained in words is not the true Way." There are many other sacred writings by the teachers of Taoism. Taoists think that words cannot be used to correctly describe Tao. Tao (or Dao, 道) is the name of the force or the "Way" that Taoists believe makes everything in the world. It is at least 2,500 years old and it comes from China. Taoism or Daoism ( 道教) is a type of belief, or a way of thinking about life.
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