An overview of taoism a religious philosophical tradition of china

The Confucian Classics were the basis of the examination system.

An overview of taoism a religious philosophical tradition of china






Despite all attempts at re-education by the Communist Party the family cult associated with Confucianism and popular religion still flourishes throughout the countryside, as do so-called 'superstitious practices'. Peasants saw no contradiction in attending both Buddhist and Daoist worship, nor in incorporating a diversity of gods into the local pantheon.

An overview of taoism a religious philosophical tradition of china



He came from a family of officials and his concern was with the restoration of the Way Dao of the ancient sages. His teaching was therefore related mainly to society and its government. He advocated strict conformity, and thought that fostering correct behaviour, within the context of the family, would produce an ordered society.

He was not particularly interested in religion, except insofar as it related to social life. However, in 59 AD during the Han dynastyit was decreed that sacrifice should be made to Confucius and this began a process which was to make Confucian philosophy into the foundation of the Chinese political order.


It gradually became linked with the state cult of the Emperor. From the fifth century AD Confucian orthodoxy retreated before the popularity of Buddhism and Daoism. But a renaissance came during the Song dynasty when Confucianism responded to the challenge and developed its own metaphysics.

This new trend is known as Neo-confucianism, and its main exponent was Zhu Xi It subsequently became the main orthodoxy of the scholar officials until the demise of the imperial system in In contemporary China, the Confucian cult has disappeared, but the Confucian approach to government and society retains a powerful hold on many people.

Where the Confucian stressed ethical action, the Taoist spoke of the virtue of Wu Wei non-actiongoing with the flow of things. Like the Confucianists, Daoists looked back to a golden age. The good ruler, they thought, guided his people with humility, not seeking to interfere with the rhythms of social life conducted within the larger patterns of the natural world and the whole cosmos.





After this it remained an important element in Chinese life, but took its place alongside Daoism and a revitalised Confucianism. Both Confucian and Daoist teaching were 'non-dualistic' - matter and spirit formed a continuum within a cosmos that was self-generating and impersonal.

Buddhism, however, taught a radical dualism.

Chinese Philosophy, Chinese Religion, Religions in China

Through a long process of adaptation, various Chinese schools emerged such as Chan Zen and the Pure Land school, which were far more congenial to traditional Chinese thought. Zen, with its meditative techniques, and Pure Land with its stress on faith in the Amitabha Buddha as the way to salvation, became the dominant forms of Chinese Buddhism.Taoism is a religious and philosophical tradition that has had one of greatest impacts on the Chinese culture and ways of life for the past 2, years.

The Taoist religion and philosophy have spread to the neighboring countries who have had close ties with the Chinese, including Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea.


Explore the world of Taoism, both contemplative and religious Taoist traditions, with overview history, important persons, key terms and insights, reading list. The origins of Hinduism can be traced to the Indus Valley civilization sometime between and BCE.

Though believed by many to be a polytheistic religion, the basis of . Chinese culture, tradition and customs. Taoism in China. In the Chinese language the word tao means "way," indicating a way of thought or life.

Philosophical Taoism speaks of a permanent Tao in the way that some Western religions speak of God. The Tao is considered unnamed and unknowable, the essential unifying element of all that .

Bob Whyte surveys the many strands of religion in China. The article first appeared in SACU's China Now magazine in It has often been said that the Chinese are not deeply religious.

Taoism: A philosophy or a religion? | eTeacher's Chinese Offical Blog