About Taoism

Taoism is a religion that originated in China. The core doctrines of Taoism revolve around the concept of the "Tao," constructing a comprehensive ideological system that encompasses the origin of the universe, the value of life, the path of cultivation, and the principles of conduct. Its core can be summarized into the following four dimensions, which are interrelated.

I. The "Tao" as the Supreme Faith: The Ultimate Origin of the Universe and Life
The "Tao" is the starting point and core of Taoist doctrine, permeating all scriptures and practices. Its connotations go far beyond its literal meaning and can be understood from three levels:

• The Origin and Law of the Universe
  Taoism holds that the "Tao" is the ultimate reality that exists prior to all things in the universe. It is an absolute existence that is formless, speechless, and transcends time and space. As stated in the "Tao Te Ching": "The Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things." This means that the "Tao" is the source of all things in the universe, including heaven and earth, the sun and moon, stars, and humans, all of which evolve from the "Tao." Moreover, the "Tao" is also the inherent law governing the operation of all things. For example, the changing of the seasons, the alternation of day and night, and the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death all follow the order of the "Tao," which is known as "the Tao follows nature" ("nature" here refers to the inherent nature and laws of things, not the narrow sense of "the natural world").
• The Essence and Destination of Life
  Taoism believes that the essence of human life is the manifestation of the "Tao." Humans are formed by the aggregation of "Qi" (a core concept in Taoism, referring to the subtle substance that constitutes all things), which is generated by the "Tao." The process of life is the operation and transformation of "Qi." Therefore, the ultimate goal of cultivation is to "attain the Tao," which means to return life to the origin of the "Tao" and achieve unity with the "Tao," transcending the limitations of life and death (not just "eternal life," but more importantly, spiritual eternity and freedom).
• The Core Symbol of Faith
  Taoism venerates Laozi as the "Supreme Old Lord" (a personification of the "Tao") and regards the "Tao Te Ching" as the core scripture that expounds the "Tao." However, it does not equate the "Tao" with a personal deity but emphasizes the transcendence and universality of the "Tao." It is both within all things and transcends them. It is the ultimate truth that believers need to comprehend through the heart and practice.

II. "Respecting the Tao and Valuing Virtue": The Unity of Faith and Morality
Taoism closely links the "Tao" with "virtue," proposing that "respecting the Tao" must be accompanied by "valuing virtue." "Virtue" is the specific manifestation of the "Tao" in all things (especially humans) and is the function and effect of the "Tao":

• The Connotation of "Virtue":
  "Virtue" is not merely a "moral norm" but the adherence to and practice of the "Tao" by humans. Toward the universe, one must respect nature and follow its laws ("the virtue of heaven and earth"); toward others, one must practice compassion, integrity, tolerance, and frugality ("the virtue of human relations"); and toward oneself, one must cultivate the mind and maintain purity ("the virtue of mind and nature"). The "Tao Te Ching" states, "The highest goodness is like water" (taking water's "benefiting all things without contention" as the highest virtue) and "A family that accumulates good deeds will surely have a surplus of blessings," which are core interpretations of "virtue."
• The Practice of "Respecting the Tao and Valuing Virtue":
  Taoism believes that "virtue" is the foundation of "attaining the Tao." Without cultivating "virtue," even if one pursues health preservation and cultivation techniques, it is impossible to align with the essence of the "Tao." Therefore, Taoist precepts (such as the "Ten Good Deeds" and "Eight Precepts"), as well as daily behavioral norms (such as not killing, not lying, and helping the poor and the weak), are essentially practices of "valuing virtue." The purpose is to purify the mind through moral cultivation and lay the foundation for "enlightenment."

III. "My Fate Is in My Hands, Not in Heaven": The Autonomous View of Life Cultivation
One of the core characteristics of Taoism that distinguishes it from other religions is its emphasis on the "autonomy of life," opposing passive fatalism and advocating the active cultivation of life's value through practice:

• Understanding of "Life and Death"
  Taoism does not regard death as the "end" of life but sees life as a cycle of "Qi." "Life" is the aggregation of "Qi," and "death" is the dispersion of "Qi." However, through cultivation (such as moral cultivation, health preservation techniques, and internal alchemy), one can regulate one's "Qi," delay its dispersion, and even achieve "longevity" (here "longevity" includes not only the health and longevity of the body but also the transcendence of the spiritual level, that is, the "immortal" realm. In Taoism, "immortals" are not "supernatural deities" but more a title for those who have attained the Tao, representing a state of freedom where life is in harmony with the Tao).
• The Path of Cultivation
  This "autonomy of life" is not a blind pursuit of "longevity" but is based on "following the Tao": 
  - The foundation is "cultivating virtue," accumulating "merit and virtue" through good deeds and purifying the mind; 
  - The core is "cultivating the body," through health preservation (such as guiding exercises, Tai Chi, and dietary regulation), cultivating the mind (such as "forgetting the self" and "guarding tranquility," eliminating distractions and comprehending the Tao), and internal alchemy (using the body as a "crucible," regulating "essence, energy, and spirit" to achieve unity of body and mind), to achieve harmony and sublimation of body and mind; 
  - The goal is "attaining the Tao," ultimately understanding the essence of the Tao, achieving unity of life and the Tao, breaking free from external constraints (such as life and death, desires), and gaining spiritual freedom.

IV. "The Unity of Heaven and Humanity": The View of Harmony between Humans, Nature, and Society
"The Unity of Heaven and Humanity" is the core understanding of Taoism regarding the relationship between the universe, humans, and society, and it is also an important criterion for its conduct and cultivation:

• Harmony between Humans and Nature
  Taoism believes that humans are part of nature ("Humans follow the earth, the earth follows the heavens, the heavens follow the Tao, and the Tao follows nature"), and the relationship between humans and nature is not "oppositional" but "homologous and structurally similar." The human body corresponds to the universe (for example, "the head is round like the heavens, the feet are square like the earth"), and the circulation of human blood and energy corresponds to the changing of the seasons. Therefore, humans must respect natural laws: not to indiscriminately cut down forests, not to indiscriminately kill living beings (an extension of the "valuing life" philosophy), and even to experience the existence of the Tao by being close to nature (such as living in seclusion in the mountains and forests, observing nature) and achieve "resonance with nature."
• Harmony between Humans and Society
  "The Unity of Heaven and Humanity" also extends to the social level. Taoism advocates that social order should imitate the "natural non-action" of the Tao. Rulers should "govern by non-action" (not to forcefully interfere with people's lives and let society develop naturally), and the people should "be content with what they have" (not to greedily seek excessive benefits and reduce conflicts), ultimately achieving social harmony and stability. This idea is reflected in personal conduct as "blending with the world" (from the "Tao Te Ching"), that is, not to be ostentatious or stubborn, to live in harmony with others and society, and to practice the Tao in ordinary life.

In summary, Taoism, with the "Tao" at its core, links the moral view of "respecting the Tao and valuing virtue," the life view of "my fate is in my hands," and the harmony view of "the unity of heaven and humanity," ultimately pointing to the ultimate pursuit of "attaining the Tao and becoming an immortal" (spiritual freedom and transcendence of life). It also provides believers with a comprehensive ideological system for understanding the universe, settling life, and dealing with the world.