Taoism (discussion)

[CinnamonStar]

Ok guys the second this turns into a lolreligion-but-I-don't-know-crap-about-religions topic I get a lockmod on you.-.- Ok?

 

Well I wanted to start a serious discussion about Taoism/Daoism; Falun Gong, also discussions about synchretic Taoism, meaning combining religions together, like Taoism + with Buddhism are very welcome too!

 

I'm not practising the religion myself but I study history of religions and this is one of those that really grabbed my attention. I can't study it as specialisation because I'd have to learn old and modern Chinese and it's...just no.;_; So yeah I spend my time studying it parallel to religious studies at uni (unfortunately we haven't had a lecture about it either so that's pretty bad).

 

Anyway I'll use this post to compile info and links to serious Taoist sites, but shortly: The Tao is the way of life that links humans and nature, as Taoists are often concerned with the environment, cosmos and ecological issues (balance of nature). There are no gods in the sense that we know them in the West, the deities are usually humans who have become immortals by their wisdom, ancestors or forces (The Three Purities). For a long time people have made a difference between philosophical and religious Taoism but I haven't gotten much knockledge on the subject yet, some people even seem to disregard the entire difference. The set of beliefs itself comes from ancient China and influenced East Asian culture, it has often been paired with other folk religion, Buddhism and nowadays with new movements like New Age, it has become more well-known in the West with alternative medicine, qigong, Tai-Chi Chuan practices mostly. Taiwan seems to be one of the places where it's quite wide-spread because according to new surveys, the majority there believe into a combination of Tao and Buddhism. The most important book is probably the Tao Te Ching (recommandable! even if you're not practising the religion) and Lao-Tse himself is venerated as an Immortal.

 

So yeah, anyone else studying/interested in Taoism? This is just to share ideas and discuss a religion, not to start some kind of debate about what's there and what's not.;_;

[♥ ЅϯᵲåώӀӞ℮ᴙʀɣ−ɴɨɨ−ƈħåɴ ♥]

China believes in Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The most popular one so far is Buddhism, but you have some of the other two in other regions as well.

 

Hong Kong believes in Christianity and whatnot, since they used to be British-controlled.

 

Mother's trying to convert me to Buddhism, but I simply just feign false acts of worshipping them secretly. I don't care. It makes mother happy. So I just do it for her.

 

China FTW.

[CinnamonStar]

Yeah from what I heard the part of the world with the most Taoists is Taiwan (many people there believe in a mixture of Buddhism and Taoism). It had a comeback in China recently but from what I heard/read it's still not THAT much accepted and most people there are Atheists or Buddhists...somehow like that right?

[~ P O L A R I S ~]

Love the ideas behind Taoism and think it's a fine thing to follow, but I just couldn't see myself giving up bacon.

[♥ ЅϯᵲåώӀӞ℮ᴙʀɣ−ɴɨɨ−ƈħåɴ ♥]

Taiwan still hates China's guts, but they're forced to be one with them as their economy is just not large enough to compete.

 

There are very little atheists in China. Very small percentage.

 

In Guangzhou and the surrounding provinces, Buddhism is VERY dominant. Probably 99.9%. Like seriously.

 

Not sure about the North. Maybe they believe in Confucianism or Taoism slightly more, but I wouldn't know that much about it.

[JG.]

I've always wondered what the religion in China and Japan was. Now I know.

[Tentacruel]

I've always wondered what the religion in China and Japan was. Now I know.

[CinnamonStar]

Eh...Strawberry just said how it's in China, mostly Buddhist. Japanese are known for blending their native religion, Shinto, with Buddhism. There are Taoists in East Asia but it's hard to get a number of people.o_o

 

I just know that with New Age alternative medicine is getting more well-known but...

[♥ ЅϯᵲåώӀӞ℮ᴙʀɣ−ɴɨɨ−ƈħåɴ ♥]

The old acupuncture and herbal medicine is still ages more advanced than the new ones. I've had several sicknesses that even my family doctor has never even heard of (and thus couldn't cure), while my mother's Chinese doctor cured them quite easily.

 

I only go to my mother's Chinese doctor now. His stuff WORKS. As opposed to the crap those family doctors give. Sure, it's a bit bitter, but it works MUCH faster.

[WTF]

Honestly I think Daoism or Taoism is the best religion because it is the closest to nature.

[CinnamonStar]

Well what's the best religion is really hard to say, you can just go by personal conviction. There are many other nature-based religions, Neo-Paganism, Wicca, New Age, heck I'd even say that nowadays every religion is based on nature.

 

Except Gnostics who don't like the world.;)

 

But I still think Taoism is interesting with the human-cosmos relations and everything is related through the way of life.

 

And I believe that herbal medicine CAN cure a lot of things and help, especially but not only with mental improvement. And I've also heard first-hand reports that acupuncture works well.o_o ...but I'm too much of a sissy to try it so yeah...

 

What kind of illnesses did you have? (Mia)

[WTF]

Well what's the best religion is really hard to say' date=' you can just go by personal conviction. There are many other nature-based religions, Neo-Paganism, Wicca, New Age, heck I'd even say that nowadays every religion is based on nature.

 

Except Gnostics who don't like the world.;)

 

But I still think Taoism is interesting with the human-cosmos relations and everything is related through the way of life.

 

And I believe that herbal medicine CAN cure a lot of things and help, especially but not only with mental improvement. And I've also heard first-hand reports that acupuncture works well.o_o ...but I'm too much of a sissy to try it so yeah...

 

What kind of illnesses did you have? (Mia)

[/quote']

 

Notice it was my opinion ^_^

[CinnamonStar]

I'm bumping this because the ridiculously stupid topic about Christian or Atheist is even gaining posts.-.-

 

WTF: Yeah I kinda agree with you, that's one of the aspects I like the most about it.

[Eury]

I tried studying Taoism but I just couldn't get into it.

 

For some reason Left Hand Path religions, Christianity, Islam and Paganism are the only Religions I can get into. D:

[WTF]

I really dont get Islam.

[Eury]

I really dont get Islam.

 

It's Christianity, with the addition of Mohammad being a prophet and Jesus is not the son of God, but he's still a prophet.

[WTF]

I know that. It is just odd to me.

[Tentacruel]

Islam also differs in that their God is a unity, rather than a trinity. Also, Islam has a lot more AK-47s involved.

[Nnoitra Jiruga]

I know that. It is just odd to me.

 

I agree. But do you know what the most odd one is-evolution.

It sounds like an idea that came from from people who have been playing too much pokemon

[WTF]

Christianity>Judaism>Islam

[Great Unclean One: VK]

I'm Buddhist/Atheist.

 

I knew people who believed in Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

 

China FTW!

 

Also, I love the idea behind all of them.

[WTF]

Confucianism is very cool like Taoism.

[Eury]

I know that. It is just odd to me.

 

I agree. But do you know what the most odd one is-evolution.

It sounds like an idea that came from from people who have been playing too much pokemon

 

You do realize evolution is a PROVEN theory, right?

[Tentacruel]

lolproven

 

Oh, and check out this Islamness