Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Laozi (Lao Tzu) is traditionally regarded as the founder of the Taoist religion and is closely associated in this context with "original", or "primordial", Taoism. [1] Whether he actually existed is disputed, [ 2 ] and the work attributed to him – the Daodejing ( Tao Te Ching ) – is dated between the 8th and 3rd century BC.
Traditional founder Religious tradition founded Historical founder(s) Life of historical founder Abraham (covenant with God) Moses (religious law) Judaism: Yahwists [n 1] c. 13th [1] [2] [3] to 8th century BC [n 2] Laozi: Taoism: Zhuang Zhou: 369 BC – 286 BC
Laozi (601 BCE–531 BCE) (Founder of Philosophical Taoism) [1] Wenzi ... Tao Hongjing (456–536) Sun Simiao ... Links for Chinese Religions and Philosophy, Daoism
The distinction between Taoism in philosophy and Taoist religion is an ancient, deeply-rooted one. Taoism as a positive philosophy aims for the holistic unification of an individual's reality with everything that is not only real but also valuable, encompassing both the natural world and society. [18]
In some sects of Taoism, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Chinese folk religion, it is held that he then became an immortal hermit. [2] Certain Taoist devotees held that the Tao Te Ching was the avatar – embodied as a book – of the god Laojun, one of the Three Pure Ones of the Taoist pantheon, though few philosophers believe this. [3]
Laozi is regarded to be a manifestation of Daode Tianzun who authored the classic Tao Te Ching. He is traditionally regarded as the founder of Taoism, intimately connected with "primordial" (or "original") Taoism. Popular ("religious") Taoism typically presents the Jade Emperor as the official head deity.
Daoism (or Taoism) is a philosophy centered on living in harmony with the Dao (Tao) (Chinese: 道; pinyin: Dào; lit. 'Way'), which is believed to be the source, pattern and substance of all matter. [9] Its origin can be traced back to the late 4th century B.C.E. and the main thinkers representative of this teaching are Laozi and Zhuang Zhou. [6]
"Tao religion" is often used for Taoism itself, [12] as well as being used for many Tao-based new religious movements. [13] "Far Eastern religion" or "Taoic religion" may refer only to faiths incorporating the concept of Tao, may include Chan and Japanese Buddhism, or may inclusively refer to all Asian religions. [14] [15] [16]