Daoism

Daoism

Daoism (also Taoism) is a Chinese philosophy and religion. It is regarded as the proper and authentic Chinese religion. Historically secured origins of Daoism lie in the 4th century BC. .

Along with Buddhism and Confucianism, Taoism is one of the three Chinese Teachings that decisively shaped China. These have also had a significant influence on people`s religion and spiritual world beyond China.

The word Daoism derives from Dao or Tao, a term in Chinese philosophy, and originally meant way, but in classical Chinese it meant method, principle or the right way.

In Laozi, the term takes on the meaning of an all-pervasive principle underlying the whole world. It signifies supreme reality and supreme mystery, the primordial unity, the cosmic law and absolute. The cosmos arises from the Dao, and the order of things also arises from it. However, the Dao itself is not an omnipotent being, but the origin and union of opposites. Philosophically, the Dao can be understood as beyond all conceptuality. Creation shows the workings of the Dao by bringing forth duality, yin and yang, light and shadow. The world emerges from their changes, movements and interplay.