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Taoism belifes and Values

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Taoism belifes and Values
The two main texts in Daoism are the Tao-te Ching and the Chuang-tzu. The Tao-te Ching (or Dao De Jing) is the most significant text and is the heart of religious and philosophical Taoism. This text is credited to Lao Tzu, more commonly known as Master Lao. It was written in 5th century BCE and is 5,000 Chinese characters long. The Tao-te Chings’s 81 brief sections are brilliantly constructed. They are poetic, practical, and mystical. The Tao-te Ching serves as a set of guidelines to live by.

The Chuang-tzu is named after its author Master Chuang. This text has been influential to Buddhism, Chinese landscape painting, and poetry. The Chuang-tzu’s believed to be written around 4th centaury BCE. It stands 53 chapters in all its might focusing mostly on Lao Tzu, as he is a very important figure in Daoism. The rest of the Chuang-tzu consists of stories that teach life lessons and the way of the Tao.

Since the beginning of time Chinese religions have been distinct through their awareness of the natural world and universe. Much like Confucianism Daoism isn’t a religion, it’s more of a way to think and it presents a code or series of rules to live by. However lets not get Daoism and Confucianism mixed up. They don’t have much in common other then they are both ancient Chinese styles of living. Daoism focuses more on the individual spiritual life. There are not many strict rules just that through nature and harmony you can be happy. This is also where yin and yang originate. Confucianism on the other hand believes in setting good examples for others to follow primarily in 5 key relationships. Back on track to Daoism though. The following are a few main import believes the Dao hold close to them self’s. Dao is the first cause of the universe; it is the force that flows through all life. Each person should nurture the Ch’I (air breath) that has been given to him or her. One should plan in advance before and consider carefully each action before making it.

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