What is the background of Taoism?
Taoism is an indigenous Chinese religion often associated with the Daode jing (Tao Te Ching), a philosophical and political text purportedly written by Laozi (Lao Tzu) sometime in the 3rd or 4th centuries B.C.E. The Daode jing focuses on dao as a "way" or "path" — that is, the appropriate way to behave and to lead others — but the Daode jing also refers to Tao as something that existed "before Heaven and Earth," a primal and chaotic matrix from which all forms emerged. The Way of the Celestial Masters and other later sects of Taoism engaged in complex ritual practices, including devotion to a wide range of celestial divinities and immortals, and thousands of Taoist religious texts were produced over the centuries. Western interest in Taoism has, for the most part, been confined to the Daode jing, but in both the West and in the East, there is considerable interest in practices which, while not "Taoist" per se, are often associated with Taoism, ranging from fengshui to taiji quan to acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Who is the founder of Taoism? Where and how is Taoism practiced today?
The founder of Taoism is Laozi (also spelled Lao-Tzu), whose literal translation means "ancient child." At some point he relinquished this post - presumably to engage more deeply with his spiritual path.
As legend has it, Laozi underwent a profound spiritual awakening, and then traveled to the western frontier, where he disappeared forever, into the land of the Immortals. The last person that he encountered was a gatekeeper, named Wen-Tzu, who requested that Laozi offer to him (and all of humanity) the essence of the wisdom that had been revealed to him.
In response to this request, Laozi dictated what was to become known as the Daode Jing (also spelled Tao-Te-Ching).
Taoism is now practiced in China, overseas Chinese, diaspora China, and Taiwan.
As legend has it, Laozi underwent a profound spiritual awakening, and then traveled to the western frontier, where he disappeared forever, into the land of the Immortals. The last person that he encountered was a gatekeeper, named Wen-Tzu, who requested that Laozi offer to him (and all of humanity) the essence of the wisdom that had been revealed to him.
In response to this request, Laozi dictated what was to become known as the Daode Jing (also spelled Tao-Te-Ching).
Taoism is now practiced in China, overseas Chinese, diaspora China, and Taiwan.
3-5 symbols related to Taoism
Yin Yang
Five Element Chart
Nei Jing Tu
Lo Pan Compass