Taoism in Chinese Culture Essay examples -- Taoism Chinese Culture Tao

Taoism in Chinese Culture Taoism, known as The Way, can be categorized as both a Chinese school of thought and a religion. Taoists believe in accepting and yielding to the ways of life, complementing nature and being by internalizing their goals rather than worshipping a god externally. Taoism, in its metaphysical and philosophic nature, is much like Confucianism, but the ideal interests of the two religions are contrasting. Confucianism was formulated during a time of war and relies heavily upon a moral and political strategy that fashioned society and the Chinese empire, while Taoism correlates to a time of peace and honors spiritual and metaphysical preoccupation (Taoism 2). The supposed author of the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu, is state to be the father of Taoism. It is estimated that Lao Tzu, spelled many other ways including Lao-tsu, Lao Tse, and Lao Tzi, was born under the name of Li Erh in Honan, China, around 604 B.C.E. legend says that Lao Tzu was born fully devel oped with a long, white beard and hair the color of snow. He was somewhat of a recluse and withdrew from society to reverse governmental law and rule. He retreated to the Western frontier after the fall of the Zhou dynasty to continue his personal study of metaphysics and philosophy (Taoism 2). The collaborations of his studies and observations are state to be the basis of the Tao Te Ching, although some scholars argue that Lao Tzus existence can non be proved and that the scholar Chuang-tzu played at least a partial role in the authorship. However the Tao Te Ching came to be, it is prized for being the foundation of Taoist belief and should hold merit as a universal guide, not as an authors accomplishment (De Bary, Chan, and Watson 49). There are t... ...e and space and is therefore attainable to each individual who is ready to be released from the bonds of the physical. The Tao is perfection, a show up where yin and yang come together and all that lives in diversity finds unity. Works CitedDe Bary, Wm. Theodore, Wing-Tsit Chan, and Burton Watson, eds. Sources of Chinese Tradition. NewYork Columbia UP, 1960. Feibleman, James K. Understanding Oriental Philosophy A Popular theme for the Western World. New York Horizon, 1976. Robinson, B.A, Taoism. Religious Tolerance.org. 28 August 2000. 15 September 2000 . Smullyan, Raymond M. The Tao is Silent. New York Harper & Row, 1977. Taoism. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 1999-2000 ed. 19 September 2000 .