Taoism

br March 4 , 2007

Taoism Taoism Taoism refers to a power which flows through and surrounds all things both dead and alive . Taoism means path , or the way . It regulates natural processes and nourishes the balance in our universe . It embraces the harmony of opposites as in there would be no love without hate or no female without a male and there would be no light if it weren 't for the dark

Lao-Tse (604-531 BCE ) was believed to be the founder of Taoism . He was looking for a way to

avoid the constant wars that were disrupting the people of his era . He wrote a book by the title of Tao-te-Ching , but still others still believe that he is only a mythical character

Taoism revolved into a religious faith in 440 CE , when it was taken on as a state religion . It started as a combination of psychology and philosophy . Along with Buddhism and Confusianism , Taoism became one the three great religions in China . When the Ch 'ing Dynasty came to an end in the year of 1911 , the state support for Taoism came to an end , as well

There are more than twenty million followers of the belief of Taoism where some of their beliefs and strong ideas are that Taoism is the first cause of the universe and that Taoism surrounds everyone , so everyone must listen to find the gift of everlasting enlightenment

Each Taoism believer has a goal of harmonizing themselves with the Tao The belief has provided an alternative to the Confucian tradition for the people , in the country of China

Taoists strongly believe in having good health and strength . They believe that everyone must nurture the important breath of fresh air that has been graciously given to them Death and transformation are an important element of the Chinese culture . Along with marriage , death is the most important event in the life of the family of the individual . Death marks the transition from life to another world . It allows the families to express their strength and solidarity by uniting together to share the funeral or rites of passage . Death requires that the attention of the living be looked at as the bigger meaning in life and in the family

In ancient China , there were three possibilities that were major for the world after life . These are Heaven as a divine ancestor , Earth as a Hungry Ghost , or lost soul and immortality as a Taoist immortal . The most desired possibility was to become a divine ancestor and reside in heaven

Taoist priest would make a series of dots upon a tablet that represented the body of the dead person and then the characters for the family and individual name would be written . The living family members would offer sacrifices , daily , with incense and food at the family alter Taoism taught its believers to cast away worldly pleasures , honors and glory and be content with what they had

Taoism suggests one to not strive for the very best...