A Brief History of Taoism in China

Author: Li Zenggang Kong Linghong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-10-01
Features: Taoist thought is the philosophical foundation of Taoism and also the rational core of Taoist philosophy. Without the philosophy of Taoism, Taoism cannot form a theoretical system. Taoist practices are religious methods derived from Taoist philosophy. Taoism stands at the edge of life, observing the contradictions and absurdities of life reality with a transcendent perspective, criticizing the shallowness and foolishness of human intellect. The purpose of establishing Taoism is to help people understand the need to transcend their own limitations and use an infinite perspective to understand the necessity of the existence of all things. To view problems from an infinite perspective means to understand the universe, gain insight into life, resolve conflicts, and embrace the world from the standpoint of the "Dao." Laozi said, "Man follows the earth, the earth follows the sky, the sky follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature." The Great Dao is formless, the greatest sound is the rarest, the greatest skill seems clumsy, the greatest eloquence seems slow, and the greatest wisdom seems foolish. To view the world from the perspective of the "Dao" means to stand on the principle of naturalism, acknowledge the rationality of the existence of all things, and prevent the arrogance and transgression of human intellect.