For other uses of the words "tao" and "dao", see Dao (disambiguation).

Taoism (sometimes written as Daoism) is the English name for:

(a) a philosophical school based on the texts the Tao Te Ching (ascribed to Laozi and alternately spelled Dào Dé Jīng) and the Zhuangzi.

(b) a family of organized Chinese religious movements such as the Zhengyi ("Orthodoxy") or Quanzhen ("complete reality") sects, which collectively trace back to Zhang Daoling in the late Han Dynasty;

(c) a Chinese folk religion.

The English word "Taoism" is used to translate the Chinese terms Daojiao (道教) and Daojia (道家). The character Tao 道 (or Dao, depending on the Romanisation scheme one prefers) literally means "path" or "way", but in Chinese religion and philosophy has taken on more abstract meanings. The compound Daojiao refers to Daoism as a religion; Daojia refers to the activity of scholars in their studies. It must be noted that this distinction is itself controversial and fraught with hermeneutic difficulty.

Much uncertainty exists over the meaning of "Taoism". In some countries and contexts (for example, the national "Taoism" organisations of China and Taiwan), the label has come to be applied to the Chinese folk religion, which would otherwise not have a readily recognisable English name. However many, if not most, of its practitioners would not recognise "Taoism" (in any language) as the name of their religion. Moreover, the several forms of what we might call "elite" or "organised" Taoism often distinguish their ritual activities from those of the folk religion, which some professional "Taoists" (Daoshi) tend to view as debased.

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@MeanderingSoul Taoism suggests that you are. Correct me if I'm wrong. I guess I don't really even know what it is to be spiritual.
ElleWatts (Ellen Louise Watts) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:36:38 -0000
@MeanderingSoul Taoism suggests that you are. Correct me if I'm wrong. I guess I don't really even know what it is to be spiritual.
@Dasani_01 R u ?ing the atheism or 'god' statement? Taoism is not a theistic philosophy, nor is 'god' necessarily theistic. =)
MeanderingSoul (greg) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:30:32 -0000
@Dasani_01 R u ?ing the atheism or 'god' statement? Taoism is not a theistic philosophy, nor is 'god' necessarily theistic. =)
@TrendyDC is instant fleeting and superficial? would taoism have been so compelling if released on twitter?
Tieresias3 (Martin Cordrey) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:48:57 -0000
@TrendyDC is instant fleeting and superficial? would taoism have been so compelling if released on twitter?
Nor does Taoism :) RT @dailyzen: "Buddhism has in it no idea of there being a moral law laid down by some kind of cosmic lawgiver."
Tao23 (Stuart Barton) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:19:09 -0000
Nor does Taoism :) RT @dailyzen: "Buddhism has in it no idea of there being a moral law laid down by some kind of cosmic lawgiver."
I gotta find a book on taoism[.]
postaboirico (Ricardo Horsey Jr) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:15:30 -0000
I gotta find a book on taoism[.]
I'm on Taoism right now. 1. The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. Cool.
assmartas (karen renz) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:09:44 -0000
I'm on Taoism right now. 1. The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. Cool.

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