How Taoism influences others outside of the religion 

Many who practice Taoist rituals do not identify themselves as Taoist because of how Taoism’s religio-philosophical aspects have helped improve the lifestyles of many who come from different cultures and religions. “At the heart of Taoist rituals is the concept of bringing order and harmony to many layers of the cosmos: the cosmos as a whole (the world of nature), the world or (human society), and the inner world of (human individuals), (Rodman iCollege).  

      The Three Vehicles  

 1. Doing honorable deeds 

 2. Rituals and ceremonies 

 3. Physical movements and postures that aid healing.  (Rodman iCollege)

Taoism can help improve the lives of those who need direction. “Influencing nearly all aspects of daily life while offering paths of esoteric spiritual achievement, (Carroll, pg.48). Internal alchemy or the third level of the three vehicles, includes working with the natural energies of the body. An example can be the Tia-chi. the Tia-chi is a fundamental concept that is practiced by Taoist and many people who do not consider themselves as Taoist. In Taoism the tai-chi is known as one of the most known expressions where the mind and body align together to create better health. Non-Taoist can learn about the religion of Daoism. With the help of the three vehicles, it creates a better understanding that the path of Taoism consists of multiple paths for all people. Non-Taoist can cultivate themselves and take these ideas into consideration as an aid to harmony in life.  

 

 

What is the role of nature in Taoism? How do you think Taoists might distinguish between what is natural and what is unnatural? 

Nature plays a vital role on how Taoist view the world the way it is today. In Taoism, nature is distinctly useful to help find our true selves and implement harmony in our lives. “Each part of nature can remind us of a quality we admire and how we should cultivate ourselves. The strength of the mountains, the resilience of the trees, and the cheerfulness of flowers,” (YouTube). If we embrace stillness, we can outweigh the load that life brings us and find our sense of mental stability. As individuals we can learn from nature. We should not rush time, while nature collectively takes its course when time is due.

              “We must empty ourselves from everything and allow our minds to become still,” (Lao tzu, YouTube). 

Nature also represents the sacred spaces known in Taoism. “Taoism recognizes several mountains as sacred, which is also a feature of Chinese religion as a whole. Rivers, streams, meadows, groves, and valleys can also serve as sacred places in Taoism, (Carroll, pg. 58). 

 To distinguish the difference between what is natural and unnatural accordingly, we can start by referring to the natural force as the primordial state or “natural flow of the Tao,” and an opposing force of one’s attempt to go against the Tao, also called unnaturalness. “Often translated as “the natural” or “naturalness,” it is more literally rendered as the “self-so” or that which is “so-of-itself. It can be seen as the positive correlation of Wu-wei, the notion of “action-less action,” since acting without desire is only possible when embodying and manifesting one’s true nature,” (Rodman iCollege).

 

  What is Wu-wei in the context of Taoism? 

To understand Wu-wei, we must understand what Ziran means and how they both work together. Naturalness (Ziran) and nonaction (Wu-wei) is the common and fundamental philosophical view of many Taoists. In Taoism, it is taught that everyone is perceived satisfied with what they are doing when it seems “natural” or authentic to them. Take the tree for example, “Designed to grow into shape, size, and colors and inherent properties that deem it “natural” to grow into, (Carroll pg. 63)” Forcing the tree to do differently would go against its normal nature on how its designed or what it becomes. That is where Wu-wei takes place, the nonaction or effortless action. “There is no contrived, calculated action it has to undertake. Assuming it is planted in a hospitable environment, it simply has to stand there. No further action is needed,” (Carroll, pg.63). It would be better to leave it be and let it execute naturally. “According to Taoism, human happiness occurs when one aligns with the Tao, and Wu-wei allows practitioners of Taoism to live in harmony with one’s natural surroundings and to be mindful of the interconnectedness of all life,” (Rodman iCollege). Wu-wei and Ziran work together to generate an essential flow in life for all inhabitants. 

 

                                                                                                                                

     No Authority or Hierarchy  

Like Hinduism, religious Taoism does not have a centralized religious clerical authority or hierarchy, (Carroll, pg. 59 & pg. 17). In the two religions they have different actions on how they determine leadership structure and what titles are given. The most common titles known in Hinduism are priests, they can also be referred to as the “masters of the Tao” (Dao Shi) according to the religion Taoism, (Carroll, pg. 59) They can also be called Shamans in the distinct functions of Taoism. In both religions they have different sects or schools to help set up order. 

  Achieve Enlightenment & Attain Immortality  

Buddhism can also be related to Taoism because on why the people look up to those, they find important in their religions. In both religions there is a sense of reaching a higher sense of self, realm or being such as enlightenment or immortality. Prominent figures are valued by people because of their attainment or achievement of some sort, although they have two completely different goals. In Buddhism, it is known that they are an atheistic religion, but they also look up to the Buddha because of his attainment of enlightenment. “Certain figures also known as bodhisattvas are revered and worshipped as holy, mainly because they are believed to be people who have achieved enlightenment,” (Carroll, pg.80). Much like religious Taoist, there is not a personal god that is looked up too, instead they worship the shrines of their ancestors through religious rituals. “Religious Taoism specifically also revers or worships important sages and spiritual leaders who have become defied, because people believe that they have achieved immortality through spiritual practice,” (Carroll, pg. 54).  

 

 

     The Divine Reality vs the Ultimate Supreme   

 Unlike Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism originated from the subcontinent of India instead of China, although Buddhism heavily influenced China as well. Taoism can differ from other known religions because of how it does not have an established structure. “Taoism is distinct from other religions in that it has neither a rigid organizational structure, nor holy sites like Mecca or Jerusalem, nor a leader like the Pope or Dalai Lama,” (Carroll, pg. 48). As we already know in Hinduism, there are many deities that are worshiped collectively as one “divine reality.” Like Hinduism, for Taoist the Tao is the “Supreme Ultimate.” But instead, the supreme ultimate is not hailed as the reincarnations of many gods or goddess like in Hinduism. “The Tao is a force, presence, or reality, not so much a god or personal deity. The Toa must be experienced, felt, intuited, or sensed. It is a mystical reality that cannot be reduced to logical analysis, (Carroll, pg. 54). 

References

Carroll, J. (2021). World religions: a beginner’s guide: questions and answers for humanity’s 7 oldest and largest faiths. Rockridge Press. 

YouTube. 2014. “FILOSOFÍA ORIENTAL – Lao Tse.” YouTube. 2014. EASTERN PHILOSOPHY – Lao Tzu 

YouTube. 2014. “Motions of the Tao, a Documentary Film about One of the Oldest Faith Traditions: Taoism.”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT9gAJqqhsg.