|
Taoism
Lao Zi's Life Story
Lao Zi, a sage, was born in the Spring and Autumn Period.
According to tradition he was an adult from birth, from
which circumstances he derived his name of Lao Zi, or
"old boy". He taught contemplation and retirement
as means of spiritual purification and the attainment
of the dao, or "correct road", a word which
he used to signify the highest spiritual ideals of mankind.
What is "Tao"
Tao, in Dao de jing, means the way of ultimate
reality, which exists beyond the physical sense of men.
Tao is also the way of the universe. It moves in endless
cycles and never changes. All life comes from it, but
nothing produced by tao lasts forever. Tao also refers
to the way man should order his life to keep it in line
with the natural order of the universe.
Taoists reject self-assertiveness, competition, and
ambition. They are indifferent to things like rank,
profuse luxury, and vulgar show. They would make friends
with nature rather than conquer or dominte it. TOP
Taoism in Brief
Taoism was indiginous to the Han nationality. It originated
around the 2nd century A.D.. Zhang Daoling is credited
as its founder, Lao Zi is regarded as its master and
his work, Dao de jing (Classic of the Way of
Power) is its main doctrine. By the 14th century, Taoism
had been divided into many sects. From the 14th century
it developed into two main philosophies: Quanzhen Tao,
emphasizing self-cultivation to attain immortality and
Zhengyi Tao, involving belief in charms and spells.
It began to decline in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD)
and, in 1949, there were about 20,000 Taoist temples
with 40,000 believers. TOP
Taoism and Chinese Culture
Taoism has gods of the Town, Land , Kitchen, Door,
and Wealth. At the head of these gods are the Supreme
Patriarch Lao Zi and the Jade Emperor. These gods are
enshrined in Taoist monasteries and temples. The God
of Wealth, called Marshal Zhao, is believed to bring
people a big fortune. The God of the Door, on the other
hand, is supposed to keep away demons, while the God
of the Kitchen is in charge of every household's good
fortune and misfortune. Taoists expect to gain longevity
or even immortality through ascetic practices, such
as meditation and self-cultivation. The popular fairy
tale "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea"
has its origin in Daoism.
Many of the Han nationality used to worship both the
Buddha and the Taoist gods. Therefore, among the ordinary
Han people, it was very difficult to distinguish the
Taoists from the Buddhists. In ancient China, both Buddhism
and Taoism had a deep effect on the development of ideas,
culture and popular customs. Many famous Buddhist buildings
are now protected by the People's Government as treasures
of China's culture and art. Examples of these are the
White Horse Monastery in Luoyang (built in 68 AD), Henan
Province and the Dunhuang Grottoes (carved in 4th century)
in Gansu Province, the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, Shanxi
Province (built in 5th century), and Longmen (Dragon
Gate) Grottoes (built in the 6th and succeeding centuries)
in Luoyang, Henan Province, the Potala Palace in Lhasa,
Tibet (first built in the 7th century and reconstructed
in the 17th century), Dazu sculptures in Sichuan Province
(carved during the late period of the Tang Dynasty and
concluded by the end of the Southern Song (1115-1234),
the Stupa (built for the Tooth-Relics) in Beijing and
the Lingyin (Soul's Retreat) Temple in Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Province (13th century).
The most important Taoist temples in China are the
White Cloud Temple in Beijing, the one in the Qingcheng
Mountains of Sichuan Province and the one in the Wudang
Mountains of Hubei Province.
TOP |
