 History and Diversity
The founding of the "Way" (Tao, pronounced "dow") is attributed to
Lao-tzu (whose name means, "old master"), presumed author of the Tao-te ching
("The Way and the Power," which is also known as the Lao-tzu after him).
According to tradition, he would have been a slightly older contemporary of
Confucius living sometime in the 6th-century BCE. However,
there is considerable debate among scholars as to whether anything can be known
about the author of the Tao-te ching, some even suggesting Lao-tzu is a
completely legendary figure.
Taoism itself takes two forms: a philosophical form called tao-chia
and a religious form called tao-chiao. Both these closely linked forms
are far more mystical in their concerns than Confucianism. Whereas Confucius
focused on virtues and actions that might transform society for the better,
Taoism focuses on the transformation of the character of the individual so the
cumulative effect might be the improvement of society.
The fundamental teaching of Taoism is that the "Way" proceeds through
wu-wei, "active inaction." "Tao invariably does nothing [wu-wei], and
yet there is nothing that is not done. ... Simplicity, which has no name, lies
in the absence of desires. Being free of desires, it is tranquil, and the world
will then, of its own accord, find equilibrium" (Tao-te ching 37).
Religious Taoism has been extremely diverse over its history, interacting
with a wide-range of elements of traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese
religious practices. Some scholars have identified well over 80 major movements
within Taoism.
Sacred Writings of Taoism
Alongside the Tao-te ching,
the other classic text of Taoism is the Chuang-tzu, named after the
author of its opening section. Chuang-tzu is believed to have lived in the 4th
century BCE. Over the ensuing centuries literally
thousands of other texts (8,000 or more in some enumerations), conventionally
arranged according to "Three Caves." These relate to the broad range of Taoist
practices.
Taoist Practices
Perhaps more so than Confucianism, Taoism makes direct use of the ancient
Chinese religious idea of yin-yang, the two opposite energies
representing the polar opposites of the Tao and from whose intermingling all
things arise. The symbol of yin-yang reveals as well that even as each
energy emerges from this interaction it carries within itself the seed of its
opposite.
Unlike many other of the major religions of Asia, the ultimate goal of Taoism
was the achievement of physical immortality. If human beings were able to
preserve within themselves the energy obscured by the manifestation of things,
then immortality would be possible. Many disciplines and practices were
developed in attempts to preserve this energy including physical exercise, diet,
alchemy, meditation, and various respiration and sexual techniques.
| 
