Taoism is one of the great philosophical systems and religions which has come from ancient China, debuting fully in the 4th century B.C. Taoism can be difficult or controversial to define because so much of Taoism has an elusive, adaptable quality to it, which can make it more challenging to peg down. It goes without saying that Taoism has been able to exert a tremendously powerful influence on Chinese aesthetics,

Taoism Teachings of Taoism and their application Taoism, also referred to widely as Daoism is known as an indigenous Chinese Religion which is closely associated with Tao Te Ching which was a philosophical and political manuscript written by Laozi in the 4th Century BC. The writings focused on Dao (Tao) as a path or way and this stood for the appropriate manner of behavior and also the way to lead others. It

Taoism Introduction to Terms and Concepts of Taoism: The origins of Taoism are explained in the book, The Taoist Vision (William McNaughton, 1-5): of the main Chinese religions, Buddhism originated in India but Confucianism and Taoism were both from China originally. Taoism, McNaughton explains, is the philosophy "of the Tao," or "Lao-Chuang philosophy." It's called Lao-Chuang because the two most important philosophers in the Tao faith were Chuang Tzu (from the

"Creative quietude" was key to these men's interpretation of the Tao and wu wei, or the second life-giving force of the Tao which flowed through human beings without the force of will, if only it was allowed to do so by a yielding spirit (207-208). The contrasting camp of Philosophical Taoist were adepts who emphasized using rather than bending with the Tao through herbs, yoga, breathing, and other active methods

Taoism Smehra Yin and Yang The concept of Yin and Yang is fundamental to Taoism. Yin is considered the dark/female while Yang is the light/male. Yin represents the negative and feminine, while yang is the positive and masculine; together they represent the balance required for everything to exist. They are dualities that co-exist as well as exist to balance the other. One can not find harmony, without it's opposite. Wu Wei, is also

As a popular religion it became more and more widespread and accepted by the imperial court as important factor in social life and the people's mentality." (Theobold, "Daoism," 2000) During this time, most critical to its populist embrace, Daoism developed a substantial pantheon of deities that made the religion even more comprehensible and accessible, even to the semi-literate while its more abstract concepts still earned "imperial respect," although "it never