Taoist & Taoism

What was the Way

Taoism is a Chinese religious tradition valuing personal integration with the unseen forces of the universe. Most Westerners are acquainted with only one “Taoist” text: the Tao te ching (or Lao-tzu). Even scholars seldom know the ideas found in the thousands of later Taoist writings. Contrary to modern narratives, Taoism evolved among China's most educated classes, specifically fifth-century aristocrats who interwove varied earlier traditions into an inclusive framework to preserve China's indigenous heritage from being altogether overthrown by Buddhism (a recent arrival). Taoist writings articulate nuanced models of spiritual practice designed for rulers and intellectuals, as ...