Taoist architecture

Running head : TAOIST ARCHITECTURE : TANGIBLE EXAMPLE OF PHILOSOPHY

Taoist Architecture : Tangible Example of Philosophy

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INTRODUCTION

Throughout the ages , religion of any region represents a broad based scripture of do-s and don 'ts for its society , the content of which is made after lot of research on the experience of living . Thus the instructions in the texts of religion culminate into the practice , which in turn becomes the habit and habit gradually

invents more scopes of practice . This state of affairs in a society creates hallmarks of a religion through many tangible reflections , like regular religious ceremonies , rituals related to birth , marriage or death , and the architecture of the region . Out of all these , architecture holds a special place , because it is more tangible and more close to the society , as architecture houses all - be it the humans , be it religion or be it the social or cultural events . They serve as the chronicle of civilization through ages

In the light of the above , Taoist Architecture holds an important place in the history of civilization on many accounts - each of which is brimming with history , proof of human intelligence and future possibilities , where they surpass the boundary of religion or region to offer the whole world a gamut of unique methodology of better living that proves to be a confluence of aesthetics , practicality and durability . Thus , with utmost respect for this wondrous set of creations of the humans from the rank of one of the oldest yet one of the vibrant philosophies of the world , this study probes the question of tangibility of Taoism through Taoist Architecture , by weighing its nuances with the help of literature review , analysis and discussion , before concluding on an approbatory note

Brief Note on Taoism

Since Taoist Architecture is based on Taoism , it is necessary to discuss Taoism in brief to facilitate the scopes of associating them with the nuances of architecture and probing the reason of such association

The word 'Tao (pronounced as 'Dow ) refers to `way ' or 'path containing a plethora of connotation in it , which is impossible to bring under one single phrase . However , it packs the power to encompass everything living or non-living found in the nature or in the universe thereby unifying all with one single idea . It is believed by many that the founder of Taoism is Lao-Tse (604-531 B .C , an era that reminds about Confucius , another revered thinker of that time . Some also associates him as the founder of Taoism

At its early stage Taoism was a collection of ideas about psychology and philosophy , which later evolved as a religious faith for many , and even earned the status of state religion and continued that streak till the end of the Ch 'ing Dynasty in 1911 . But it hasn 't stopped running in the hearts of millions of its followers all across the globe (current estimate stands at 20 million . The briefest definition of the...