Taoism2

**//__Taoism__//** **What does Tao mean?** **How it started:** **Basic core beliefs:** **Religious practices:** **Sacred text:** **Sacred objects or places:**
 * Tao means "Way"
 * The Way, according to Taoist is the spiritual force that underlies the universe and is found in all things. Taoism is the ultimate reality.
 * Taoism was started by Chinese philosopher Lao Tze, the supreme master, in the 6th century B.C.
 * Lao lived in the same times as another ancient philosopher, Confucius.
 * It was said that Lao left his job and rode west were he recorded his teachings.
 * Today Taoism is practiced by about five million people in Vietnam, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Malaysia.
 * it is not uncommon for Taoism to be confused with buddhism and Confucianism.
 * Taoists believe that good actions will mean a better life for their soul so Taoists follow rules and guidelines for living.
 * Taoists aren't allowed to tell lies, steal, commit murder, commit adultery, or drink alcohol.
 * They're encouraged to obey their elders, be tolerant, help others act, love their parents, stay in excellent physical and mental shape, practice self control of mind and body, and act without thinking of themselves, act selflessly.
 * At certain dates, food may be set out as a sacrifice to the spirits of the deceased or the gods, such as during the Qing Ming Festival. This may include slaughtered animals, such as pigs and ducks, or fruit.
 * Vegan diet or full fast may be observed
 * Fortune telling and other forms of divination
 * Participate in the study, analysis and writing of books
 * Practice numerous martial arts and mediation.[[image:Practicing_Tao_and_Taiji.jpg]]
 * The Taoist view of sexuality is that the body is viewed as a positive asset. And the mind and body are not set in contrast or opposition with each other. Sex is treated as vital component to romantic love; however, Taoism emphasizes the need for self-control and moderation. In Taoism, sex can be encouraged however only where natural.
 * complete abstinence is frequently treated as equallly dangerous as excessive sexual indulgence.
 * The two major religious text are Tao Te Ching, Zhuangzi
 * The Tao Te Ching, or Daodejing, also often called Laozi, is widely regarded to be the most influential Taoist text. the title means "The Classic of the Way and Its Power or Virtue." It is a foundational scripture of central importance in Taoism purportedly written by Laozi. However, the authorship and precise date that it was written is still the subject of debate.
 * The Tao Te Ching is not thematically ordered. However, the main themes of the text are repeatedly expressed using variant formulations, often with only a slight difference. The leading themes revolve around the nature of Tao and how to attain it. Tao is said to be unnambale and accomplishing great things through small means.[[image:tao_te_ching.jpg]]
 * The Zhuangzi is traditionally attributed to a Taoist sage of the same name, but this has recently been disputed in Western academia. Zhuangzi also appears as a character in the book's narratice. The Zhuangzi contains prose, poetry, humor and disputation. The book often is seen as complex as the arguments and subjects of discussion are not those common to classical Western philosophy.
 * The Yin-Yang represents the harmonious interaction of two opposite forces in the entire universe, male which is yin, and female which is yang.[[image:yin_yang.jpg]]
 * Taoist temples in Southern China and Taiwan may often be identified by their roofs, which feature chinese dragons and phoenix made from multi-colored ceramic tiles.
 * Grotto Heavens are a type of sacred Taoist site. Grotto heavens are usually caves, mountain hollows, or other underground saces. Because every community ws supposed to have access to at least one grotto, there were many of them all over China. They were first organized systematically in the Tang Dynasty by Sima Chengzhen and Du Guangting. The most sacred of these sites were divided into two types: The ten greater grotto-heavens and the thirty-six lesser grotto-heavens.[[image:taoism_grotto_heaven.jpg width="486" height="328"]]