Taoism,
like Confucianism is a native Chinese religion. Its root's go back to the
5000 years of history of China. However, only by 100 BC Taoism evolved as an
organized religion. Taoism is a reasoned doctrine and also the basis for
Traditional Chinese Medication. Together with Confucianism and Buddhism, it
has been invariably guiding Chinese in conduct and exercising authority.
Five Elements of Universe
Taoism emphasized on the relative "stability", which can be
attained when a harmony is reached between "Yin" and "Yang",
which are said to be the opposite but related natural powers of the
universe.
There are 5 elements in the entire universe-
Wood- Yin, Water-Yin, Earth-Natural, Gold-Yang and Fire-Yang.
Taoism Religion guides Chinese about the role of these elements into ones
life and to attain harmony. It requires meditation to attain intellectual
calmness. Any act to one extreme will cause the opposite reaction in force
until the balance is reached.
Attaining Salvation
Taoism teaches that everyone should try to achieve two goals, happiness and
immortality. The religion aims at securing longevity or attaining a kind of
immortality, which could be attained through proceedings like-- medical
treatment, breathing techniques, meditation, gymnastics, communal funeral
etc.
Primarily, it was contemplated obligatory to maintain a proper harmony
between the body and its own thousands of gods with their heavenly
counterparts. The Taoists have a strong belief that there are two
complementary souls present in the human body, that keeps it alive-- The
three Hun-Souls, responsible for mans intellectual and moral behaviors and
the seven PO-Souls, controlling such earthly aspects as passion and negative
ethical behaviors.
By meditating them with deep concentration, speculating them in their
respective domains of the body during three specific nights each month, one
could prevent the departing of sole. The Taoists also gained their expertise
in medicines. They invented their own occultism - that is, by consuming some
specific drugs, one can attain the path of mortality.
Taoist
Deities
Taoists worship more deities than do the followers of almost any other
religion. Some deities are ancestors and others are the spirits of famous
people.
The more worshipped gods in Taoist religion are the Trinity San Qing - The
Three Pure Gods. They are-- Yu Qing -Jade Pure, the emperor who ruled the
Earth, Shang Qing - Upper Pure and Tai Qing -Great Pure. God Tai Qing is
considered as an immortal, divined and powerful of the other two.
The other deities include Empress of Heaven, and Laozy - an ancient Chinese
philosopher who is also the founder of Taoism.
Famous Taoist Holy Temples
Temples and ceremonies show the influence of Buddhism. By A.D.1000, Taoism
had divided into many sects. Some of the sects withdrew from daily routine
to meditate and study in Monasteries. Other sects were based in temples. The
temple priests passed on their position to their children.
Some of the most renowned temples on Taoism are--
Baiyun Temple known as White Cloud in Beijing, Baxian Temple - Eight
Immortals in Shaanxi, Daoyuan -Taoist Temple in Shangdong, Louguan Terrace
in Shaanxi, Zixiao- Purple Heaven Temple on Mt. Wudang in Hubei , the list
seems endless.
Famous Taoist Holy Mountains
Some of the diviner elevated lands in Taoist religion are - Mountain Hua,
Heng, Longhu, Qingcheng, Song, Tai, Wuyi and Mt.Qiyun.
Taoism Gaining Popularity
In mid 1900's, the Chinese government opposed the authenticity of this
religion as it was claimed that Taoism is based on superstitious belief.
Today, the Chinese Government allows the practice of the religion and the
followers are gradually increasing in number.
