Taoism – is the Chinese traditional doctrine, which contains elements of religion, mysticism, divination, shamanism, meditation and traditional philosophy and science. The followers of Taoism are called Taoists. Yellow Emperor (the ancestor of all Chinese) is considered as the founder of the Taoism. In the history of Taoism is a separation doctrine in philosophical Taoism (dao chia), developed in neo Taoism and religious (dao jiao), which included alchemy, demonology, treatment. Since its inception Taoism has not created a single church, and his doctrinal position orthodox referral is formed in particular, common to all believers of dogma. This was reflected on Taoist doctrine polymorphism features of ritual and organizational levels. But Taoism is a holistic socio-cultural phenomenon that has a significant impact on the lives of contemporary Chinese society.
Taoism as a stable religious organization was formed only in the second century A.D., but numerous reports say that Taoism originated much earlier, at least in the V - III centuries BC. Taoism already had a well-developed tradition that has prepared elements of teaching, actively used in the Middle Ages. The main sources were the Taoist mystical and shamanic cults of the kingdom of Chu and other "barbarian" states in southern China, the doctrine of immortality and magical practices that developed in the kingdom of Qi and philosophical tradition of northern China.
Philosophical works related to Taoism, starting from the era of Warring States (Warring States period) in the V century BC, almost simultaneously with the teachings of Confucius. Tradition says the founder of Taoism, the legendary Yellow Emperor Huangdi. Somewhat more reliable the founder of Taoism is considered ancient Chinese sage Lao Tzu (Laozi). According to the Taoist tradition, he is credited with the authorship of one of the basic books of Taoism - the "Tao Te Ching". This treatise was the nucleus around which was formed the teachings of Taoism. Another famous early text of Taoism is the "Zhuangzi", authored by Zhuang Zhou (369-286 gg. BC.), Known as Chuang Tzu, in whose honor and named his work. At the beginning of the II century BC figure of the Lao Tzu is deified, was developed a complex hierarchy of deities and demons, and a cult, in which the central place has occupied the rituals and divination, that were targeted against evil spirits. Taoist pantheon headed by Shang Di (Shangdi), Chinese has worshiped him as the god of the sky, the supreme deity and father of the emperors (the "sons of heaven"). He was followed by Lao Tzu, and creator of the world - Pangu.
Formation of religious Taoism has occurred during the later period of reign of the Han Dynasty: Zhang Daolin has founded a school "Way of the Five Pecks of Ricein" (Celestial masters) in Sichuan, and as become its first patriarch. In the second half of II century Rebellion of the Yellow Turbans has become the precondition of the popularity of Taoism. In 184-204 Third Celestial master Zhang Lu was able to gain control of the territory of Hanzhong (province Shaanxi), adjacent to the mountains of Sichuan province, which was the first Taoist theocracy state. The Taoist State was defeated by Cao Cao in 215 and ceased to exist, though Cao Cao gave to a master privileges and attracted to the court. It has caused the spread of the school ideas over a wide area, including the north of China. In the era of the Six Dynasties, school became known as the School of the Celestial Masters. Later, were founded the other Taoist schools. An important role in the development of Taoism has played Maoshan School (Shangqing) and Lingbao.
In the literature (including Chinese literature) are often discussed the possibility of borrowing the dogma of the Indian philosophy of Taoism, or vice versa, the transfer to India of Taoism that based on Buddhism. Also, in literature are indicated similarities between the Chinese philosophy and the Indian concept of an impersonal absolute that has created a visible emanation of that has created phenomenal world and merge with it (to get away from the phenomenal world) was the goal of the Brahmins. This issue was raised in various Taoist schools. However, a detailed study rejects the hypothesis of direct borrowing.
Lao Tzu could not bring to India the philosophy that was known at least five hundred years before his birth. In their particular practice Taoism in China bears little resemblance to the practice of Brahmanism. The Chinese rationalism prevailed over any mysticism, brushing aside it on the periphery of public consciousness, where it could only be saved. Although Taoist treatise “Zhuangzi” (IV-III centuries. BC) says that life and death - a relative term, the emphasis in the book is on life and how it should be organized. Mystical ideas in this treatise, expressed in particular, references to the fantastic longevity (800, 1200 years), and immortality, that righteous hermits approaching the Tao can reach, have played an important role in the transformation of philosophical Taoism in the Taoist religion. The main difference between Taoism and other religions is: the desire for immortality Taoists has replaced the pursuit of paradise among the followers of other faiths.
Taoism almost never was the official religion - rather a movement of the masses, single practitioners and hermits. However, inside the Taoism have been regularly generated new ideas that have inspired scientists, politicians, writers. Peasant revolts and rebellions in China with the overthrow of dynasties were born in the bowels of Taoism, too. In the era of the Six Dynasties movement of The Celestial Masters has spread throughout China, but other schools have gained popularity and influence of Celestial Masters weakened. The movement was divided there were also Northern Celestial Masters and then the South Celestial Masters. Meanwhile, two schools have increased their influence: school Shangqing, which emphasizes visualization and contact with the inhabitants of heaven and Lingbao that pay attention to meditation, and experienced the influence of Buddhism. Later, during Tang era the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice was reconstituted as the One True School and has received special imperial privilege. During the reign of the Song dynasty they have received imperial privileges and found their supremacy over Shangqing and Lingbao. In 1304, the Mongolian authorities have confirmed the status of school and noticeably weakened Shangqing and Lingbao were absorbed and ceased their independent existence.
According to the researcher Houston Smith, Tao has three senses, three meanings that help to understand the concept of the Tao and Taoism. Firstly, Tao is a method of ultimate reality. In this sense, the Tao is difficult to understand and comprehend. This meaning of Tao is transcendental Tao that is the foundation, basis for all that follows. All life (life power) comes from it and returns to it. The second meaning of Tao is the way of the universe, the norm, the rhythm, the driving force in all of nature, and all life forms. Tao in the second meaning is a substance from which there was a whole world, the first principle, which is the energy capacious emptiness. Tao is the grace emanating from above; energy that has caused the transformation of the first Tao into the world. In a third sense, Tao refers to how a person should act and live in the interaction with the universe. The third meaning of Tao is the way in which should develop people and nature, and universal law that ensure the existence of the world.
Taoism, with its concept of non-action, was traditionally in the opposition to Confucianism that preaches the service to the sovereign and society. This opposition has been so deep that even reflected in the work of the Jesuit missionaries. For example, Matteo Ricci was in close contact with the Confucian elite and has rejected the Taoism as a pagan practice - while his opponent, Ruggieri (Michele Ruggieri), claimed the similarity between the concepts of Dao and logo.
According to the concept of Taoism, there is no absolute good and absolute evil, there is no absolute truth and absolute falsehood - all the concepts and values are relative. The analysis of it is barren because of its infinity. According to the doctrine of yin and yang they have made conclusions that the good and evil are equal. Thus, the good is the natural state of the world, as the evil. Taoist, eager to do good that brings to life the evil. The major virtue is considered abstinence - it is the beginning of moral perfection. Exactly the same principle of relativity is used in Taoism in relation to life and death they are only a part of the rhythm of Tao. A striking example of the Taoist attitude to life and death is the description of the Chuang Tzu behavior after the death of his wife. When his friend has visited him to offer condolences, he was astonished to find that Chuang Tzu was singing and beating out a tune on the back of a wooden bowl. In response to a friend's perturbations, Zhuangzi has said that life and death are part of a single process. He also has said that his wife was in the intermediate state between heaven and earth, as if asleep. Thus, his cry and moan, while she was sleeping, would have been a denial of nature's law.
In contrast to the religious Taoism that has formed into a full-fledged religion, the philosophical Taoism rather disorganized. Philosophical and religious Taoism is both self-help programs. The teacher in philosophical Taoism are rather coaches and mentors who help their students in understanding the philosophical Tao and guide them in their lives and what they should do according to the philosophy of Tao. Also, the differences between them lie in the fact that the philosophical Taoists try to save their “te” (virtue, power) while "vitality Taoists" try to increase their te.
One of the main concepts in Taoism is wu-wei literally translated as “non-action”. It can be translated as non-interference, although the word does not imply absolute passivity. On the contrary, it is the action, but made according to two principles: do not spend efforts in vain; do not do anything that violates nature. Wu-wei means a spontaneous or natural action that makes people intuitively without planning. Real circumstances, not fantasies are motivation for this action. Often we act contrary to his nature with the sole purpose - to prove any idea or principle. Wu wei is often compared to water, as a human should adapt to everything water can easy change its shape, but at the same time water (and human) can be a powerful stream that can turns sharp stones into a smooth pebble.
Works Cited
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Oldmeadow, Harry. Light from the East: Eastern Wisdom for the Modern West . Bloomington: World Wisdom, 2007.
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Robinet, Isabelle. Taoism: Growth of a Religion. Palo Alto: Stanford University Press, 1997.
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Smith, Huston. The World's Religions. New York: HarperOne, 2009.
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