Taoism Religion in Chinese Culture
Taoism Religion, also known as Daoism Religion or Daojiao, is a Chinese religion that has evolved from Taoism Philosophy and ancient Chinese Mythology.
It venerates Laozi (or Lao Tzu) as a saint and deity, considering his masterpiece Dao De Jing (or Tao Te Ching) as an essential classic.
It encompasses a comprehensive system of magical forces and deities, alongside a series of remarkable scientific achievements.
Taoism Religion stands out as the most mysterious and secular religion in traditional culture, seemingly distant, yet it has indeed seamlessly been integrated into and profoundly influenced the daily lives of Chinese people for thousands of years.
Silk Manuscript of Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching), Unearthed From Tomb of Prime Minister Li Cang (? — 185 BC) — Mawangdui Museum of Hunan Province
The Ultimate Goal of Taoism Religion - Pursuing the Dao
Key Characteristics of Taoism Religion
The Mysterious Taoism Cultivation
Sacred Places of Taoism in China
Scientific Contributions of Taoism Religion
Magical Practices within Taoism Religion
Gods and Deities in Taoism Religion
Three Most Supreme Immortals of the Taoism Religion — San Qing
The Ultimate Goal of Taoism Religion - Pursuing the Dao
Taoist believers dedicate their lives to understanding the Dao or Tao, the law of nature, and the rule of the universe.
Having apotheosized the Taoism Philosophy and based on ancient Chinese Mythology, an entire immortal system is constructed.
Moreover, in Taoism Religion, all human beings can become immortals, man or woman, noble or humble.
Therefore, the primary purposes of Taoist priests are to pursue the Dao in the current world and hopefully to become immortals through cultivation.
Chinese Character "Dao" Written by Emperor Li Longji (685 — 762)
Key Characteristics of Religion of Taoism
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It is possible for everyone to become immortal through cultivation, hence the polytheistic system.
Everyone can choose their favorite deity to believe in; there are no absolute rules, regulations, or ceremonies.
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For most people, the best means to pursue the Dao is to practice in the secular world.
To be a good daughter or son, a lovely partner, a responsible employee, etc.
Finding and completing oneself is the foremost thing to do.
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Everyone could have their own understanding of the Dao.
Part of Murals of Taoism Deities on Walls inside the Yongle Palace (Built in 1247 — 1358) in Shanxi Province
Taoism Cultivation
Cultivation includes two practice phases in Taoism Religion, Xiuzhen, and Xiuxian.
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Xiuzhen is a spiritual journey to practice one's mind and spirit, discover the inner self, and pursue the Dao.
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Xiuxian is pursuing immortality through different mystical means, usually after completing the Xiuzhen process.
The methods used to assist one's pursuit of immortality paths are secretive and different.
Generally, they include physical practices (such as breathing exercises), taking elixirs from special alchemy, or doing good deeds.
Mythical Creature Kun Peng from A Fable of Taoism Philosopher Zhuangzi.
Cultivation Places: Sacred Places of Taoism in China
Since the means of pursuing the Dao vary throughout history, the cultivation places also differ.
In ancient China, emperors and officials would practice Taoism in their secular worlds while visiting Taoism temples from time to time.
Some other professional Taoists would practice in magnificent Mountains in China, such as Mount Tai, Mount Hua, Mount Huang, and Mount Wudang, which are believed to be closer to nature and heaven.
Ancient Taoist Temples on the Mount Hua of the Shaanxi Province
Scientific Contributions of Taoism Religion
Not everyone could succeed while pursuing the Dao for thousands of years.
However, many Taoists made significant contributions to Chinese medicine, chemistry, alchemy, astronomy, geology, math, science, botany, astrology, numerology, literature, etc.
For instance, gunpowder and Tofu were the results of alchemy activities, the compass was used in detecting Fengshui, many types of equipment were designed to try to fly, acupuncture, moxibustion, and Tai Ji were essential ways to keep healthy, and authors of the most extraordinary medical masterpieces in ancient China believed in Taoism Religion.
These achievements integrated into and extensively benefited the civilians’ daily lives, making the mysterious religion secular and popular.
Those skills and knowledge are only meant for pursuing the Dao; however, the final results varied for each person.
Pond Yangtianchi on Top of Mount Hua, Believed the Place that Deities Take Water to Do Alchemies.
This Mythical Small Pond is Surrounded by Rocky Stones but Had Never Overflown nor Dried Up.
Magical Practices within Taoism Religion
In the process of pursuing the Dao or being immortal, besides those scientific contributions, Taoist practices also made use of some magic power, which made them quite mysterious.
The magic arts, which are only secretly and strictly passed on within certain factions, include Fengshui, Dream Interpretation, fortune-telling, alchemy, dispelling of evils, praying, divination, means of communicating with deities and ghosts, flying and traveling fastly between heaven and earth, etc.
Golden Dragons (Zou Long) that were used as Ritual Implements of Taoism Religious Ceremony in the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907) — Shaanxi History Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
Gods and Deities in Taoism Religion
By combining philosophy, folklore, and ancient Chinese Mythology, Taoism Religion has formed a comprehensive and influential system that includes gods, deities, immortals, spirits, humans, demons, etc.
Click to Read More About Soul, Spirit, Demon, Monster, Ghost, Devil, Deity, and God
Based on their locations, this system can be divided into three realms: Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld. Each realm is guarded by supreme gods, deities, and immortals.
Murals of Some Taoism Religion Gods inside the Yongle Palace (Constructed in 1247 — 1358) in Shanxi
History and Development of the Taoism Religion
Origin and Rise of Taoism Religion
After Emperor Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty in 202 BC, Taoism Philosophy was respected as the dominant ideology.
The ruling class adhered to the Doctrine of Inaction (Wu Wei), believed to be an important reason for the Han Empire's flourishing.
After 134 BC, when Emperor Liu Che respected Confucianism as the dominant philosophy, Taoism gradually came into the civilian world, combining ancient Chinese mythology, alchemy, Astrology, Yin Yang, Five Elements theory, etc.
The apotheosized Taoism became more and more popular.
Until the late Han Dynasty, Zhang Daoling (34 — 156), also respected as Zhang Tianshi, established China's first philosophical and religious Taoism group.
Part of Painting "Ge Zhi Chuan Yi Ju Tu" that Describes Ge Hong (283 － 343), An Exceptional Taoist, Chemist, and Doctor, Moving to A mountain to Practice Taoism － By Artist Wang Meng (1308－1385)
Prosperity and Thriving of Taoism Religion
Soon, more Taoism religious organizations appeared.
They all respected the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di), Laozi, and Zhuangzi’s ideologies and the polytheistic system. But they were also classified into many schools because of their different means of pursuing the Dao.
Emperors of the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907) respected Laozi as their ancestor; therefore, Taoism was respected as the Tang Empire’s state religion and was well-developed; it further flourished in the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279) and Ming Dynasty (1368 — 1644).
During these eras, Influential emperors that believed in Taoism Religion included Li Shimin (598 — 649), Li Longji (685 — 762), Zhao Heng (968 — 1022), Zhao Ji (1082 — 1135), Zhu Yuanzhang (1328 — 1398), Zhu Di (1360 — 1424), Zhu Youcheng (1470 — 1505), Zhu Houcong (1522 — 1566), and so on.
From emperors to civilians, Taoism was widely believed and practiced as a folk religion; its related departments, such as medicine, science, botany, Fengshui, astrology, and literature, were all well developed.
Ancient Taoist Temples in Wudang Mountains, Constructed Under Command of Emperor Zhu Di.
Decline and Recovery of Taoism Religion
When the nomadic Manchurians established the Qing Dynasty in the year 1636, they respected Buddhism and strictly suppressed the Taoism Religion, except during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng (1678 — 1735).
Afterward, the Religion of Taoism gradually declined in the history of China.
In 1957, the Chinese Taoist Association was established to communicate and discuss Taoism and to search for balanced ways of living in harmony with the natural world.
Today, celebration activities in traditional Chinese Festivals and many other customs are closely connected to Taoism as a folk religion.
As always suggested, the best practice of Taoism for most people is to be a good person and do an excellent job in the secular world.
Taoism Religion Bagua Pattern Porcelain Bowl of the Qing Dynasty (1636 — 1912) — Tianjin Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
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