Daoism
Daoism, also known as Taoism, is a significant and intricate part of traditional Chinese culture, recognized as one of the country's three principal religions alongside Confucianism and Buddhism. Rooted in the teachings of classic texts such as the Dao De Jing and Zhuangzi, Daoism emphasizes the concept of the Dao, which is described as the ineffable and ultimate source of all things, embodying both immanence and transcendence. The religion began to take shape as an organized system around 142 CE, when the figure Taishang Laojun is said to have revealed a mandate to the philosopher Zhang Daoling, who became the first Celestial Master and established the Celestial Masters school. This school integrated ritual practices, moral purity, and community involvement, initially requiring contributions from its members. Over time, Daoism diversified, leading to a rich tapestry of sects, rituals, and a vast body of literature, ultimately resulting in a canon of over one thousand volumes. Daoist practitioners often seek spiritual cultivation through meditation, ritual, and techniques like acupuncture, aiming to achieve a state of immortality or transcendence. The religion reached its political zenith during the Tang Dynasty, where it was closely associated with imperial legitimacy and patronage. Overall, Daoism offers a unique perspective on the pursuit of harmony and simplicity in alignment with the natural order of the universe.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Daoism
Related civilizations: China, Korea.
Also known as: Taoism (Wade-Giles).
Date: beginning in 300 b.c.e.
Locale: China
Daoism
Daoism (DOW-ih-zuhm) is a complex and multifaceted part of the traditional landscape of Chinese culture. Typically exclusively associated with the philosophically oriented teachings of the classic text Dao De Jing (possibly sixth century b.c.e., probably compiled late third century b.c.e.; The Speculations on Metaphysics, Polity, and Morality of “the Old Philosopher, Lau-Tsze,” 1868; better known as the Dao De Jing), Daoism in fact draws upon and incorporates an extensive range of religious and cultural elements. As one of China’s three principal religions (Confucianism and Buddhism being the others), Daoism has exercised tremendous influence on the political, cultural, and social life of the Chinese.
Daoism as an institutionalized religion began in 142 c.e., when the incarnated god of the Dao, Taishang Laojun, appeared to Zhang Daoling, a Daoist philosopher. Taishang, considered to be the deified Laozi, revealed that Zhang was to receive the mandate to rule the chosen people of Daoism and become the first Celestial Master and founder of the first organized Daoist school. Initially known as the Five Bushels of Rice movement for the contributions required of all members, the Celestial Masters school placed heavy emphasis on ritual, exorcisms, and moral purity.
Zhang Daoling drew heavily on the philosophical teachings contained in the Dao De Jing and Zhuangzi (traditionally c. 300 b.c.e., probably compiled c. 285-160 b.c.e.; The Divine Classic of Nan-hua, 1881; also known as The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu, 1968; commonly known as Zhuangzi, 1991). Both texts are traditionally dated to the fourth and third centuries b.c.e., although their authorship is a matter of some dispute. Although scholars discount the association, tradition holds that Laozi (the Old Master) composed the approximately five-thousand-character Dao De Jing as he was departing China riding on an ox. The common theme in both works revolves around the concept of the Dao, from which the tradition derives its name. By its very definition, the Dao is indescribable, ineffable, and unnamable. Simultaneously immanent and transcendent, the Dao is the original source of and natural order present in all things. De represents the efficacious power of the Dao, the means by which generation takes place and is manifested.
Daoism advocates the pursuit of the simplicity and naturalness inherent in Dao through spiritual cultivation. By returning to the freedom and spontaneity of the Dao, the Daoist adept strives to become a sage or perfected person (zhenren), thereby achieving immortality through transcendence of the human condition. Although some sought transcendence by means of alchemical elixirs and pills, the majority of Daoist practitioners relied on meditation, ritual, and medical techniques such as acupuncture and dietetics.
Following the establishment of the Celestial Masters school, Daoism continued to grow and flourish. By the sixth century c.e., it had become a highly diversified religion with numerous doctrinal and sectarian traditions, initiated and ordained priesthoods, countless rituals, and a growing body of canonical literature. Eventually, Daoist scriptures would be compiled into a canon of more than one thousand volumes. The heyday of Daoist political influence came during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 c.e.), when the deified Laozi was proclaimed head of the dynasty’s ancestral line and every emperor heavily patronized Daoism.
Bibliography
Kohn, Livia, ed. Daoism Handbook. Boston: E. J. Brill, 2000.
Kohn, Livia, ed. The Taoist Experience: An Anthology. Albany, N.Y.: State University of New York Press, 1993.
Pregadio, Fabrizio, ed. The Encyclopedia of Taoism. Richmond, Surrey, England: Curzon Press, 2000.
Robinet, Isabelle. Taoism: Growth of a Religion. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 1997.
Schipper, Kristofer. The Taoist Body. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994.