Jack Pickard, Will Kittler, Jake Oakley TAOISM Jack Pickard, Will Kittler, Jake Oakley

Timeline of Taoism 550 B.C.E. Taoism founded; Tao-Te Ching written by Lao Tzu. 350 B.C.E. Chuang-Tzu further develops Taoist philosophy. 150 B.C.E. Immortality Taoism develops; Taiping Jing is compiled. 155-220 C.E. Zhang Daoling organizes into religious communities, which become known as Taoism of Celestial Masters. 226-249 C.E. Wang Bi introduces Taoist concepts into Confucian learning. 251-334 C.E. Wei Huacun is the first female leader of the Shangqing sect. 320 C.E. Ge Hong (283-363) writes The Master Who Has Embraced Simplicity. 365-448 C.E. Kou Qianzhi revives Taoism of Heavenly Masters. 518-526 C.E. Emperor Gaozu builds a great temple at the birthplace of Lao-Tze.

Missionary Work Never, in the thousands of years that Taoism has been around, has there been a missionary for their cause. The Taoists consider their belief system to be voluntary, so it would be the persons choice on whether or not to join.

Taoism & Other Religions Taoism has many subtle influences on other religions, but there are a few that are very prevalent in their belief systems. Buddhism Buddhism and Taoism have a similar belief system Buddhists and Taoists believe in a quietest nature. Believe that a state of Nirvana arises when one calms the desires of the senses, for money, for achievement, and power. Both Taoism and Buddhism base their belief system off of one mans writings. Christianity/Judaism The idea for heaven originated with Taoism, Heaven being the highest aspiration for a human being. The idea for one creator that is the origin of nature and humanity arose with Taoism.

Spread of Daoism Daoism's system of believe greatly appealed to the lower-class (farmers, silk makers, etc…) It gave them an opportunity to escape from their monotonous and labor-intensive work. Even though there was never a missionary for Daoism, the ideas and beliefs of the Dao were passed by word of mouth and by inheritance.

Gods No real gods to worship. Believe in Tao- “the way”. Tao is not a god but more of an energy. The power of the way- Te The idea of a human-like god is foreign to them. They do not pray; there is no God to hear the prayers or to act. They seek answers to life's problems through inner meditation and outer observation

Beliefs The main aspect of Taoism is Tao. Tao, meaning way or path, refers to a nameless, formless, omnipotent, power. One should plan in advance and consider each action before making it.        

Beliefs Alchemy- Five main organs of the body are equal to the five parts of the sky: water, fire, wood, metal and earth. External alchemy- consuming herbal or mineral elixirs to improve physical health and life span.

Beliefs The Yin Yang symbol: -This is a well known Taoist symbol. "It represents the balance of opposites in the universe. Yin ( the dark side) represents the breath that formed the earth. Yang (the light side) symbolizes the breath that formed the heavens. - The 'yin' and 'yang' can symbolize any two opposite forces in nature.  Taoists believe that humans often intervene in nature and upset the balance of Yin and Yang.

Practices Development of virtue is one's chief task. The Three Jewels sought are compassion, moderation and humility. People are compassionate by nature and will show compassion without expecting a reward. Taoists believe and follow "wu wei," which means non action or non doing.

practices Food may be set out as a sacrifice to the gods or spirits of the departed. This includes slaughtered pigs and ducks or fruit. Another form of sacrifice involves the burning of Joss paper or Hell Bank Notes, Taoists believe that images burnt by the fire will reappear — not as a image, but as the actual item — in the spirit world, and be available for the departed spirit to use.

Rituals in Taoism The rituals of Taoism involve renewal, mediation and offerings to deities The priests are in charge of the rituals because they are often to complex for the public to perform. Rituals usually have the priests chanting, and playing various instruments. Purposes of rituals in Taoism include: The regulation of chi, flow of ying and yang, and prayer to deities.

The Chiao The Chiao is a Taoist ritual of cosmic renewal This Ritual is made up of multiple other minor rituals Parts of the Chiao include: offerings for family names, a minor ritual that is intended to bring order to the universe, and lastly the asking of the gods for the peace and prosperity of the community

Roles of Women The role of women in Taoism have be viewed in comparison to their position in Chinese society. The Han Dynasty Women were called female officers and could participate in select practices Women could also be considered wives of masters, when married to a Taoist master The Tang Dynasty Under the Tang, women are much more “equal” to men in their roles. Their roles include: being the possessors and preceptors of many ancient text and methods, as well as being “initiators” while present at events.

Major Texts Tao Te Ching is the Taoists book of faith. It is believed to have been written by Laozi. The I-ching, “The Book of Changes” is a major taoist book of future predictions and

Tao-Te-Ching The Tao-Te-Ching is focused mainly on the principles of: Tao, which is “the way” or the energy that Taoists believe is everywhere Wu-Wei, which is non doing or inaction, how Taoists live their lives Fu, is what Taoists believe to be the return of all things to their origins, Tao

Quotes When your mind is empty of prejudices you can see the Tao. When your heart is empty of desires you can follow the Tao. (From Master Lu Teachings.) “Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy” (Laozi in the Tao-Te-Ching)

Work Cited http://www.religioustolerance.org/taoism.htm http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/rites/rites.shtml http://www.taopage.org/yinyang.html http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=EXVk1tr6lEYC&oi=fnd&pg=PA384&dq=%22Despeux%22+%22Women+in+daoism%22+&ots=iGAIDTclPd&sig=Df9CPa5vsOdlA3wTCEbo5rE83Ek#v=onepage&q=%22Despeux%22%20%22Women%20in%20daoism%22&f=false http://taoism.about.com/od/taoism101/a/Intro.htm http://www.ways-of-christ.net/topics/taoism.htm