what is Taoism?

Question

i dont know what it is i just dont whant to go on websites i just want someone to summerise the religion in a few sentancise

Answer 1

I agree with Sharon's answer. You know you can google these things, right?

Answer 2

Taoism is an eastern religion which focuses on the balance(?) of the universe. If you have ever seen the yin/yang symbol, that comes from Taoism. It's main religious writing comes from the philosopher Lao Tzu. He is credited with writing the Tao Tse Ching, the principal writings of the religion. It is actually a really complicated religion/philosophy. Try reading "The Tao of Pooh" for an explanation a westerner can understand.

Answer 3

OK. I shall try and summarise it all in a few sentences (!)

Taoists believe that there is an underlying order to the universe. This is called 'Tao'. But Tao is not 'god' in the biblical sense of the word.

By harmonising oneself with the Tao, life will fall into place, as it's meant to. In Western terms, one could say 'Go with the flow'. And if that reminds you of 'the Force' from Star Wars, that's not accidental!

The 'nature' of Tao is described in a book called the Tao Te Ching, although Taoists hold that Tao itself is incapable of being expressed in words. So the book is all poetry and allegory:

"The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao;
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The named is the mother of ten thousand things."

Taoism is practised as both a philosophy and religion.

Hope that helps!
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