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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Would I be wrong to take up Taoism, Buddhism, or Confusionism (sp.)?
Power2ThaPPL (Misho R.) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 07:30:45 -0000
Would I be wrong to take up Taoism, Buddhism, or Confusionism (sp.)?
Seize the Day http://www.taoism.net/articles/seizeday.htm
Rojeli (Lisa) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:28:14 -0000
Seize the Day http://www.taoism.net/articles/seizeday.htm
taoism, tea & tattooes.
annajoylovelife (annajoy careme) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:02:38 -0000
taoism, tea & tattooes.
@joepkuijper Joep, Our Taoism / balance theory is emerging more everywhere I look , especially in economics.
edwardharran (Edward Harran) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 05:52:54 -0000
@joepkuijper Joep, Our Taoism / balance theory is emerging more everywhere I look , especially in economics.
Now learning about Eastern Sex History. Taoism sure was interesting, about the only society that ever cared for female orgasm.
introvertedwife (Sabrina ) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:13:26 -0000
Now learning about Eastern Sex History. Taoism sure was interesting, about the only society that ever cared for female orgasm.
This'll make ya think http://www.taoism.net/articles/seizeday.htm
outdoors2 (Outdoors2) Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:31:38 -0000
This'll make ya think http://www.taoism.net/articles/seizeday.htm

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