Outline of Taoism

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Taoism:

Taoism – philosophical, ethical, and religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao). The term Tao means "way", "path" or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source and the driving force behind everything that exists. It is ultimately ineffable: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao." Also called Daoism.

Texts

Taoist beliefs and doctrines

Basic concepts

Non-duality (Wuji) ― the holistic unity of contradictory opposites.
Polarity (Taiji) ― the basic concept of interdependent, interpenetrating opposites coexisting and complementing one another as expressed in the ‘bright and dark’ (yin and yang) symbol. Yin, the negative, passive, (traditionally) feminine side, must interact with yang, the positive, active, (traditionally) masculine side. Without one the other cannot exist.
Five Phases (Wu Xing) ― according to the Taoist tradition there are five basic phases or states of matter in the universe: metal, wood, fire, water, and earth. These are not literally metal, wood, fire, water, and earth but are rather metaphors for lesser-yin (shaoyin), greater-yin (taiyin), lesser-yang (shaoyang), greater-yang (taiyang), and dynamic equilibrium. Understanding how each contributes and influences one another is essential to traditional Taoist metaphysics and natural philosophy.
Perpetual change (Bianhua) ― the concept that everything flows in a perpetual cycle of change and transformation.
Reversal (Fan) ― the cyclical transformation of things into their opposites and back again comprising an eternal return.
Non-action (Wu wei) ― flexibility and spontaneity of one's actions.
Authenticity (Ziran) ― literally "self-so"; natural authenticity.
Dao (aka Tao) ― Chinese concept signifying way, path, route, or sometimes more loosely, doctrine or principle, or as a verb, speak. Within the context of traditional Chinese philosophy and religion, Dao is a metaphysical concept originating with Laozi that gave rise to a religion (in Wade–Giles: Tao Chiao; in Pinyin: Daojiao) and philosophy (in Wade–Giles: Tao chia; in Pinyin: Daojia) referred to in English with the single term Daoism (aka Taoism). The concept of Dao was shared with Confucianism, with Chán and Zen Buddhism, and more broadly throughout East Asian philosophy and religion in general.
Emanation from Dao:

Wuji
- Taiji
  - Yin-Yang (Liangyi)
    - Sixiang
      - Bagua

The three Hun and seven Po ― the parts of the human soul which may depart causing illness and death.
The Three Treasures ― the vital essence (jing), spirit (qi), and soul (shen) which must be refined to achieve longevity.
Xian (Taoist immortals)
Taoism and death

Virtues

Three Treasures ― basic virtues in Taoism, including variations of "compassion", "frugality", and "humility". Arthur Waley described these Three Treasures as, "The three rules that formed the practical, political side of the author's teaching (1) abstention from aggressive war and capital punishment, (2) absolute simplicity of living, (3) refusal to assert active authority."
- First of the Three Treasures: ci (Chinese: 慈; pinyin: cí; Wade–Giles: tz'u) – compassion, tenderness, love, mercy, kindness, gentleness, benevolence.
- Second of the Three Treasures: jian (Chinese: 儉; pinyin: jiǎn; Wade–Giles: chien) – frugality, moderation, economy, restraint, be sparing.
- Third of the Three Treasures: Bugan wei tianxia xian – "not dare to be first/ahead in the world", humility.

Ethics

De (Te) ― virtue arising from the Way (Dao).
Zhenren ― a "true man" or "true person"; someone who has cultivated perfection in De and attained the Dao.
Precepts ― commandments, instructions, or orders intended as authoritative rules of action. Religious precepts are usually commands respecting moral conduct.
- Five Precepts – constitute the basic code of ethics undertaken mainly by Taoist lay-cultivators. According to The Ultra Supreme Elder Lord's Scripture of Precepts, the five basic precepts are:
  - The first precept: No murdering
  - The second precept: No stealing
  - The third precept: No sexual misconduct
  - The fourth precept: No false speech
  - The fifth precept: No taking of intoxicants
- Ten Precepts – classical rules of medieval Taoism as applied to practitioners attaining the rank of Disciple of Pure Faith. They first appeared in the Scripture on Setting the Will on Wisdom (DZ325). They were outlined in a short text that appears in Dunhuang manuscripts (DH31, 32). They are:
  - The first precept: Do not kill but always be mindful of the host of living beings
  - The second precept: Do not be lascivious or think depraved thoughts
  - The third precept: Do not steal or receive unrighteous wealth
  - The fourth precept: Do not cheat or misrepresent good and evil
  - The fifth precept: Do not get intoxicated but always think of pure conduct
  - The sixth precept: I will maintain harmony with my ancestors and family and never disregard my kin
  - The seventh precept: When I see someone do a good deed, I will support him with joy and delight
  - The eighth precept: When I see someone unfortunate, I will support him with dignity to recover good fortune
  - The ninth precept: When someone comes to do me harm, I will not harbor thoughts of revenge
  - The tenth precept: As long as all beings have not attained the Tao, I will not expect to do so myself

Deities in Taoism

Principle deities

Hongjun Laozu
Three Pure Ones
Four Sovereigns
- Yuhuang Dadi (Great Jade Emperor)
- Zhongtian Ziwei Beiji Dadi (Great Emperor of the North Star in the Purple Forbidden enclosure at the center of Heaven)
- Gouchen Dadi (Great Emperor of the Curved Array/Little Dipper)
- Houtu Huang Diqi (Empress of the Earth)
Three Great Emperor-Officials
Xiwangmu (Queen Mother of the West)
Dongwanggong (King Father of the East)
Eight Immortals

Other deities

Taoist practices

Taoist culture

Taoist martial arts and physical exercise

Taijiquan
- Taoist Tai Chi
Daoyin ― Note: the "dao" (導) and "yin" (引) here are not the same Chinese words as ‘the Dao’ (道) and ‘Yin’ (阴) as in yin-yang.
Qigong

Sacred places

History of Taoism

Variations of Taoism

Taoist schools

Taoism by region

Taoist organizations

Influential Taoists

List of Taoists

Taoism in popular culture

References

^ Laozi. "Tao Te Ching, 1. chapter, translated by Livia Kohn (1993)". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
^ Livia Kohn. Cosmos & Community: The Ethical Dimension of Daoism. Three Pines Press 2004. pp 185–6.

External links

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