Taoism/Daoism
by Micaela, Isabella, Jayme and Yujin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--PyvGh2Ukc
(Watch this Video on Taoism)
Origins
◉ Founded in 550 BCE by Laozi
◉ Often associated with the Daodejing- a political and
philosophical text written by Laozi
◉ Other texts are the Zhugandzi and the Yi Jing
◉ During the Han Dynasty the people became interested in the
Daodejing, Zhugandzi, and many other related texts
◉ Taoism is so old the complete history of it cannot be fully traced
through written records
Major Events
Turning Points:
◉ Became an official religion
during the Tang and Shang
Dynasties.
◉ Taoism changed to more of
a tradition than a religion.
◉ As communism increased
Taoism decreased.
◉ The Shang Dynasty
Religion heavily
influenced Taoism
◉ The sacred text the
Daodejing is believed to
have been written when
Laozi was fleeing China in
fear that the Zhou Dynasty
was going to fall and a gate
keeper convinced him to
write down his teachings
◉ Kou Qianzhi’s rules of
moral behavior, and stated
that those who obeyed the
rules would have eternal
life, ones who broke them
would be reborn as insects
or animals.
Major Events
Turning Points:
◉There were many turning points in Taoism.
◉It became a semi-official religion during the Tang dynasty and continued during the Song
dynasty.
◉As Confucianism became popular Taoism fell in popularity and changed from an official
religion to a popular religious tradition.
◉After the communist takeover of China, Taoism was banned, and its followers were reeducated. The number of practicing Taoists fell by 99% in 10 years.
◉Around this time Taoism began to flourish in the grater freedom on offer in Taiwan
◉After the end of the Cultural Revolution the Chinese government began to allow a small
measure of religious freedom, and Taoism began to revive in China.
Spreading Taoism
◉ Taoism was guessed to have spread across East Asia
including: China, Korea, and Japan
◉ Its also known to spread through the Chinese Diaspora
◉ Instead of diffusing out of China it mostly spread
throughout it
◉ The religion spread because of Laozi and his followers
◉ They believed people who want to convert should come
to them
◉ It spread through trade routes like the Silk Road
Spreading Religion
The consequences and key changes.
◉ Taoist ridiculed Confucianism efforts to
emphasize the importance of education
and earnest striving for a good living,
which made things worse.
◉ Taoist encouraged the view that education
wasn’t important and that everyone should
withdraw into nature, abandoning the
normal way of living.
◉ Self-Sufficient communities, limited
government, and active efforts at self
improvement.
◉ 2.7 million people follow Taoism.
Guan Yin “The Goddess of
Mercy”
Spreading Religion
Lao Zi - The founder of Taoism.
A philosopher and poet of ancient
China who was fed up with how the
government was being led and
decided to take measures into his
own hands.
Built during the Tang dynasty.
Qingyang Taoist Temple
“One interesting fact is that one of
the pillars has not only the dragon
relief sculpture, but also a fist
imprint. Legend has it that this
dragon wanted to get away from
Qingyang Taoist Temple one night,
however was found by the Moon
Taoist holy man, who then beaten it
on the pillar by a fist. From then on,
the fist imprint was left there.” China Tour Online
“This statue is carved, in the Song Dynasty, on a
piece of naturally formed rock along its contour. It
had taken eleven years for the completion(12411252 AD). Its height is 7.5 meters. It is located in
Quanzhou, Fujian Province. This original stone
statue was frequently imitated all over China,
particularly in the 20th Century and until now.”Daoism.Net
Beliefs
◉ Opposite of Confucianism
◉ Spontaneous, Individualistic, and Natural behavior (go with the flow)
◉ The immense realm of nature and its mysterious unfolding pattern
◉ “Laozi wanders beyond, while Confucius roams within society” ~
◉ Dao- the notion refers to the way of nature
◉ Believes in that there is Light and Dark inside us (yinyang)
◉ Against all violence
◉ The balance between Yin and Yang is essential to have peace and
harmony
A leader is best
When people barely know he exists
Of a good leader, who talks little,
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
They will say, "We did this ourselves.
-Laozi
”
Taoism Today
❖ Taoism is mainly practiced in North and South
China but is gaining popularity in North America
❖ Now, it is mainly viewed as a philosophy rather a
religion and many of those who practice choose to
practice another religion as well
❖ Modern Taoist beliefs include healthy living such
as yoga, meditation and spiritual discipline.
❖ Over 2 million people are following Taoism
Cebu Taoist Temple
Laozi
Guodian bamboo LAOZI,
Tai Shan:
one of the
5 sacred
taoist
Mountains
The last
gate before
discovered
in a 4th Century
BC located
tomb; it isatthe oldest
heaven,
book
discovered
the top
of the
main in the world
history.
route.
Bibliography
❖ "Taoism." Www.patheos.com. Julia Hardy. Web. 2 Oct. 2015.
❖ "Taoism Spreads." The Way of the Tao. Web. 2 Oct. 2015.
❖ Elacqua, Joseph. "Modern Daoism." Faithology. Web. 2 Oct.
❖
❖
❖
2015.
"Influences." Patheos. Julia Hardy. Web. 5 Oct. 2015.
"Copy of Taoism." Prezi.com. Karen Reyes. Web. 5 Oct. 2015.
"Library." Taoism Historical Development, Taoism Missions,
Spread, Changes, Regional Adaptations. Web. 5 Oct. 2015.
❖ "Patheos | Hosting the Conversation on Faith." Patheos | Hosting
the Conversation on Faith. Julia Hardy. Web. 5 Oct. 2015.
❖ "Taoism: A Philosophy, a Religion, a Way of Life." Taoism: A
Philosophy, a Religion, and a Way of Life. You -Sheng Li. Web. 5
Oct. 2015.
❖
"Taoism." , Taoist, Chinese , Chinese Religions. Web. 6 Oct.
2015.
❖
" Brief Information on Qingyang Taoist Temple ." Qingyang
Taoist Temple, Chengdu Sightseeing Attractions for Tourist. Web.
6 Oct. 2015.
❖
"Laozi’s Statue | Daoism.net." Daoismnet. Web. 6 Oct. 2015.