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Compare And Contrast: Daoism

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ASIAN RELIGIONS NARRATIVE ROUGH DRAFT: TAOISM
I am Taoism, also known as Daoism. I am considered both an indigenous Chinese religion and philosophy due to the diversity of Taoist belief. My philosophical side accepts death as a natural returning to the Tao while my religious side is magical and emphasizes health and healing as ways to gain immortality. The root word in my name is Tao, which means “way”, is the central harmony. Tao is part of all things yet greater than all things. It refers to the road extending in one direction. For example, a road with many forks and or directions is not considered Tao.
Tao is not a substance nor can it be perceived. It is often described as formless, nameless and defying convention. You could say it is …show more content…
The One is the essence of Tao, the essential energy of life, the possession of which enables things and beings to be truly themselves and in accord with the Tao. Taoist texts sometimes refer to the Tao as the mother and the One as the son. Wu and Yu are non-being and being, or not-having and having. Wu also implies inexhaustibility or limitlessness. Some writers suggest that Wu can be directly experienced by human beings. Tzu Jan is usually translated naturalness or spontaneity, but this is rather misleading. One writer suggests using the phrase 'that which is naturally so', meaning the condition that something will be in if it is permitted to exist and develop naturally and without interference or conflict. The Taoist ideal is to fulfil that which is naturally so, and the way to do this is Wu Wei. The method of following the Tao is called Wu Wei. This can be translated as uncontrived action or natural non-intervention. Wu Wei means living by or going along with the true nature of the world - or at least without obstructing the Tao - letting things take their natural course. So Taoists live lives of balance and harmony. They find their way through life in the same way that a river flowing through the countryside finds its natural course. This doesn't stop a person living a proactive life but their activities should fit into the natural pattern of the universe, and therefore need to be completely detached and disinterested and not …show more content…
Immortality doesn't mean living for ever in the present physical body. Immortality impels the overcoming of the natural tendencies of the body and its transformation into a different kind of qi-constellation. The idea is that as the Taoist draws closer and closer to nature throughout their life, death is just the final step in achieving complete unity with the universe. WORKS CITED
1. "What Do Taoists Believe?" Beliefnet. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. <http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Taoism/What-Do-Taoists-Believe.aspx>.
2. "Library." Taoism Origins, Taoism History, Taoism Beliefs. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. <http://www.patheos.com/Library/Taoism.html>.
3. "Taoism 101: Introduction to the Tao." Personal Tao. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. <http://personaltao.com/teachings/taoism/taoism-101/>.
4. "What Is China Taoism." What Is China Taoism. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/religion/taoism/what_is.htm>.
5. "Exploring Chinese History :: Culture :: Philosophy :: Daoism." Exploring Chinese History :: Culture :: Philosophy :: Daoism. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. <http://www.ibiblio.org/chinesehistory/contents/02cul/c04s05.html>.
6. "Taoism." Taoism. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.

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