Taoism

The Taoist Identity

All followers of traditional Chinese religious practices are Taoists.

The TAO is what gave Taoism its name and Taoism centres on the Tao and its Virtue (Te). Tao is Universal. Taoism seeks to use its teachings to bring forth the innate goodness in every individual and believes that every person is capable of attaining unity with Tao through self-cultivation. The main text that edifies the enlightenment of TAO is Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing).

Taoism traces its roots to the dawn of the Chinese civilisation some 4700 years ago. Sheng Yuen Huang Ti, also known as the Yellow Emperor (221 B.C.E. – 206 B.C.E.) and the Father of Chinese civilisation is commonly acknowledged as the founder of Taoism.

Lao Zi, from the Shang Dynasty (1523 B.C.E. – 1027 B.C.E.) developed and expounded the Taoist Philosophy. He was the author of the 5000-word “Tao-te Ching” which formed the basis of Taoist religious teaching, philosophy and thought. The Tao is the source of life of all things. It is nameless, invisible and cannot be easily understood. Tao is the permanent underlying reality.

The Taoist has dedicated Lao Zi's birthday, 15th day of the 2nd Lunar Month to offer homage. All Taoist temples conduct prayers to mark respect to the Supreme Patriarch of Taoism and confer this day as the Taoist Day.

Taoism is the only indigenous religion of China. It embodies forms of Chinese beliefs and traditions practised from the early days of Chinese civilisation. Its origins could be traced back to the time of the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di), thereafter it was promoted by the philosophical writing of Lao Zi, and finally organised as a formal religion by Zhang Dao Ling, the religion's Celestial Master.

The Basic Tenets of Taoism
The essential message of Taoism is that the Universe is governed by a set of natural and unalterable laws, which manifest themselves as a flow of continuous change. Taoism's main precepts are "loyalty" and "filial piety". In practice, it calls on its faithful to "respect heaven, honour ancestors, and be compassionate to man and all things under heaven". In promoting the learning and cultivation of Tao, it adheres to the principles of liberty, equality and peace.

Worship
Taoism is polytheistic. Taoists worship Shen, Xian and Sheng. They may be translated into the approximate English terms of gods, immortals and saints. The deities belong to three realms: Wu ji or the Limitless Realm, Tai ji or the Great Realm and Xian Shi or the Terrestrial Realm. Taoists usually perform worship in their own household or in the temple.