Taoism is a religious, philosophical and ritual tradition originating in around the 3rd or 4th century. I plan to pursue how the religion was affected by the culture in which it arose. Specifically focusing on the fact that there are no real deities in Taoism. How was Taoism, or Daoism, shaped and influenced by Chinese culture to evolve into a religion that lacks prominent deities. I plan to explore how the teachings of the Dao De Jin, or Tao Te Ching, present the central entity in Taoism, the Tao, or Dao. I will also present how Daoism has formed and prospered in Chinese civilization, and how both Confucianism and Buddhism have influenced Daoism.
According to Littlejohn Daoism is commonly acknowledged as “the oldest indigenous philosophic-spiritual …show more content…
The beginning of Daoism probably lies in old Chinese religious practices (shamanism, magic) and mythology, but as philosophical Weltanshauung Daoism formed only in the Warring States period, about IV-III c. BC.” The ostensibly ruling house of Zhou had lost its authority, and there was increasing violence between states contending for imperial power. Increasing crisis in ancient Zhou culture and budding erosion of Confucian rituals performed by the ruling sects at that time helped to form the ideas of Taoism. Many of the main ideals of Confucius, such as Justice and humanity, became the objects of manipulation, fueling the criticism of Confucianism in the Zhuangzi. Taoists at this point considered Confucianism a deviation from the real Path and considered it an encouragement of living a spiritually empty …show more content…
Taoists are not suppose to fight the inadequacies of society, but should aim to try to stay independent. Specifically in the texts of the Zhuangzi toaists are encouraged to “take off the mask that was put on by society and which imposes presuppositions and apocryphal outer objectives” according to Agnieška Juzefovič. Taoists tend to critically estimate human relations with society, emphasizing the value of inner detachment. Zhuangzi believes that even living among people and engaging in public activity one could be a real Taoist and follow the path of
According to Littlejohn Daoism is commonly acknowledged as “the oldest indigenous philosophic-spiritual …show more content…
The beginning of Daoism probably lies in old Chinese religious practices (shamanism, magic) and mythology, but as philosophical Weltanshauung Daoism formed only in the Warring States period, about IV-III c. BC.” The ostensibly ruling house of Zhou had lost its authority, and there was increasing violence between states contending for imperial power. Increasing crisis in ancient Zhou culture and budding erosion of Confucian rituals performed by the ruling sects at that time helped to form the ideas of Taoism. Many of the main ideals of Confucius, such as Justice and humanity, became the objects of manipulation, fueling the criticism of Confucianism in the Zhuangzi. Taoists at this point considered Confucianism a deviation from the real Path and considered it an encouragement of living a spiritually empty …show more content…
Taoists are not suppose to fight the inadequacies of society, but should aim to try to stay independent. Specifically in the texts of the Zhuangzi toaists are encouraged to “take off the mask that was put on by society and which imposes presuppositions and apocryphal outer objectives” according to Agnieška Juzefovič. Taoists tend to critically estimate human relations with society, emphasizing the value of inner detachment. Zhuangzi believes that even living among people and engaging in public activity one could be a real Taoist and follow the path of