Daoism

Introduction

Taoism is a traditional form of thought and religion, based on some central notions, cults, and practices, but never subject to systematization as a whole. It is syncretic but at the same time self-contained—in the sense that while it integrates many elements from other traditions, it frequently emphasizes its distinction from them. These basic features underlie different formulations of doctrinal notions, and a large variety of practices ranging from self-cultivation to communal rituals (Barrett, pp. 23-40).

The foundational text of Taoism is the Daode jing (Scripture of the Way and its Virtue), a short work consisting of aphorisms attributed to Laozi (the Old Master, or Old Child). Although some scholars have suggested that other sources might be slightly earlier, virtually all movements and lineages within Taoism consider this as the founding scripture of the entire tradition, even though they may venerate their own texts and their own founders. Another early work, the Zhuangzi (Book of Master Zhuang Zhou), has provided Taoism with doctrines, notions, and technical vocabulary throughout its history. Despite differences in emphasis, the two texts present the same view of the Dao and its relation to the world.

Discussion

The word dao has two main meanings: "way" and "method." The early Taoist texts are the first ones to use this word to mean the Absolute. For the Daode jing, the Dao has no name and is beyond any description or definition; the word dao itself is used only because one "is forced" to refer to it. The Dao is unknowable, has no form, and is "constant" (i.e., it does not undergo change); it is is "invisible, inaudible, and imperceptible." The two principles of Non-being (wu) and Being (you) are contained within it. Yet the Dao, in spite of its being "indistinct and vague" (huanghu), contains an "essence" (jing) that is the seed of the world of multiplicity. Under this second aspect—which can be distinguished from the previous one only from the perspective of the domain of relativity—the Dao is the "beginning" of the world, and its "mother."

In a general way, Taoism may be defined as a traditional form of thought and religion, based on some central notions, cults, and practices but never subject to systematization as a whole, and syncretic but at the same time self-contained — in the sense that while it integrates many elements from other traditions, it frequently emphasizes its distinction from them. These basic features underlie different formulations of doctrinal notions and a large variety of practices, ranging from self-cultivation to communal rituals (Maspero, pp. 12-24).

Historically, the Taoist tradition has consisted of several schools, or rather lineages, usually based on one or more primary texts and associated with one or more divine or semi-divine beings. As a whole, these lineages and corpora have represented the higher but "unofficial" form of native religion in China (Seidel, 1997). This definition points to the complexity of questions that surround the status of Taoism and its relation to Chinese religion; it is also relevant to its relation to Chinese thought, ...