Early Religions: Taoism “The Tao surrounds everyone and therefore everyone must listen to find enlightenment.” -Lao-Tse ( BCE)

ultimate goal is to become one with Tao ultimate goal is to become one with Tao seek answers to life’s problems through inner meditation and outer observation seek answers to life’s problems through inner meditation and outer observation must nurture the ‘Chi’ given to them must nurture the ‘Chi’ given to them

The Founder - Lao-Tse ( BCE) - He has been credited with writing the seminal Taoist work Example Dao De Jing ( 道德經 ) - As well he is acknowledged as the founding father of Taoism - Chinese name: 老子

Place of Origin - Taoism's origins have been traced backed to the prehistoric Chinese religion - The organization of the Dao De Jing is the first record of Taoism in the third or fourth century BCE - Taoism, became one of China’s great religions

History Of Taoism  Tao roughly translates to “the path”  It evolved into a religious faith in 440 CE when it was adopted as a state religion  With the end of the Ch'ing Dynasty in 1911, state support for Taoism ended

History Of Taoism (cont.)  After the Communist victory in 1949, religious freedom was severely restricted.  Monks were put into labour camps. Several million were reduced down to less then  Some religious tolerance has been restored under Deng Xiao-ping from 1982 to the present time.  Some religious tolerance has been restored under Deng Xiao-ping from 1982 to the present time.

SYMBOLS  There are many symbols and images associated with Taoism. However, there is once central symbol, known as: THE YIN-YANG or TAIJITU ( 太極圖 )  Yin (black) represents eternity, dark, feminine, left side of the body, etc.  Yang (white) is its opposite and represents history, light, masculine, right side of the body, etc.  Together they represent the peace and harmony of the opposing sides.

ADHERENTS  Last year, the estimated Taoist population was 31 million outside China ( primarily centered in Taiwan) and around 30,000 Taoists living in North America. INFLUENCE IN THE 21 st CENTURY  Taoism can be seen in Western societies in areas of acupuncture and herbalism, certain exercises and martial arts such as Tai-chi, and other art forms such as feng-shui.

Tai Chi slow moving exercise slow moving exercise balances energy flow, promoting healthy life balances energy flow, promoting healthy life exercise that requires whole body concentration exercise that requires whole body concentration

Taoism three jewels: compassion, moderation and humility three jewels: compassion, moderation and humility Taoists follow art of ‘wu wei’ Taoists follow art of ‘wu wei’ strongly promote health and vitality strongly promote health and vitality

Religious vs. Philosophical rituals such as presenting sacrifices, bowing toward an altar holding insense in one’s hand, parades, dragon dances coinciding with lunar calendar rituals such as presenting sacrifices, bowing toward an altar holding insense in one’s hand, parades, dragon dances coinciding with lunar calendar