Outline of Taoism

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Taoism:

Taoism – philosophical, ethical, and religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao). The term Tao means "way", "path" or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source and the driving force behind everything that exists. It is ultimately ineffable: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."^[1] Also called Daoism.

Texts

Taoist beliefs and theories

Tao (aka Dao) – Chinese concept signifying way, path, route, or sometimes more loosely, doctrine or principle, or as a verb, speak. Within the context of traditional Chinese philosophy and religion, Tao is a metaphysical concept originating with Laozi that gave rise to a religion (in Wade–Giles: Tao Chiao; in Pinyin: Daojiao) and philosophy (in Wade–Giles: Tao chia; in Pinyin: Daojia) referred to in English with the single term Taoism. The concept of Tao was shared with Confucianism, Chán and Zen Buddhism and more broadly throughout East Asian philosophy and religion in general.
Taoism and death –
De (Te)
Qi
Taiji
Wu wei
Wu Xing
Wuji
Xian
Yin-Yang

Deities

Taoist practices

Taoist meditation
Taoist diet
Neidan
Taoist sexual practices
Precepts – commandments, instructions, or orders intended as authoritative rules of action. Religious precepts are usually commands respecting moral conduct.
- Five Precepts – constitute the basic code of ethics undertaken mainly by Taoist lay-cultivators. According to The Ultra Supreme Elder Lord's Scripture of Precepts, the five basic precepts are:
  - The first precept: No murdering
  - The second precept: No stealing
  - The third precept: No sexual misconduct
  - The fourth precept: No false speech
  - The fifth precept: No taking of intoxicants
- Ten Precepts – classical rules of medieval Taoism as applied to practitioners attaining the rank of Disciple of Pure Faith. They first appeared in the Scripture on Setting the Will on Wisdom (DZ325).^[2] They were outlined in a short text that appears in Dunhuang manuscripts (DH31, 32). They are:
  - The first precept: Do not kill but always be mindful of the host of living beings
  - The second precept: Do not be lascivious or think depraved thoughts
  - The third precept: Do not steal or receive unrighteous wealth
  - The fourth precept: Do not cheat or misrepresent good and evil
  - The fifth precept: Do not get intoxicated but always think of pure conduct
  - The sixth precept: I will maintain harmony with my ancestors and family and never disregard my kin
  - The seventh precept: When I see someone do a good deed, I will support him with joy and delight
  - The eighth precept: When I see someone unfortunate, I will support him with dignity to recover good fortune
  - The ninth precept: When someone comes to do me harm, I will not harbor thoughts of revenge
  - The tenth precept: As long as all beings have not attained the Tao, I will not expect to do so myself
Three Treasures – basic virtues in Taoism, including variations of "compassion", "frugality", and "humility". Arthur Waley described these Three Treasures as, "The three rules that formed the practical, political side of the author's teaching (1) abstention from aggressive war and capital punishment, (2) absolute simplicity of living, (3) refusal to assert active authority."
- First of the Three Treasures: ci (Chinese: 慈; pinyin: cí; Wade–Giles: tz'u) – compassion, tenderness, love, mercy, kindness, gentleness, benevolence.
- Second of the Three Treasures: jian (Chinese: 儉; pinyin: jiǎn; Wade–Giles: chien) – frugality, moderation, economy, restraint, be sparing.
- Third of the Three Treasures: Bugan wei tianxia xian – "not dare to be first/ahead in the world". With this approach, one avoids premature death by not making oneself a target.

Variations of Taoism

Taoist schools

Taoism by region

History of Taoism

History of Taoism

Taoist culture

Holy places

Taoist organizations

Influential Taoists

Main article: List of Taoists

References

↑ Laozi. "Tao Te Ching, 1. chapter, translated by Livia Kohn (1993)". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
↑ Livia Kohn. Cosmos & Community: The Ethical Dimension of Daoism. Three Pines Press 2004. pp 185-6.

External links

BBC religions - Taoism
Center for Daoist Studies

Daoism on In Our Time at the BBC. (listen now)
Daoist philosophy entry in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Early Daoist texts – Chinese Text Project
FYSK Daoist Culture Centre Database
Patheos Library – Taoism
Tao Directory
Taoist Texts at the Internet Sacred Text Archive
The Daoist Encyclopedia (wiki)

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