Taoism
is one of the two great philosophical and religious traditions
that originated in China. The other philosophy native to China is
Confucianism. Both and Confucianism began at about the same time,
around the sixth century B.C. China's third great religion, Buddhism, came
to China from India around the second century of the common era. Together,
these three faiths have shaped Chinese life and thought for nearly twenty-
five hundred years. One dominate concept in and Buddhism is the
belief in some form of reincarnation. The idea that life does not end when
one dies is an integral part of these religions and the culture of the
Chinese people. Although not accepted by our beliefs, its ...
Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers
|
The goal in Taoism is to achieve tao, to find the way. Tao is the
ultimate reality, a presence that existed before the universe was formed
and which continues to guide the world and everything in it. Tao is
sometimes identified as the Mother, or the source of all things. That
source is not a god or a supreme being as with Christians, for Taoism is
not monotheistic. The focus is not to worship one god, but instead on
coming into harmony with tao. Tao is the essence of everything that is
right, and complications exist only because people choose to complicate
their own lives. Desire, ambition, fame, and selfishness are seen as
hindrances to a harmonious life. It is only when one rids himself of all
desires can tao be achieved. By shunning every earthly distraction, the
Taoist is able to concentrate on life itself. The longer the one's life,
the closer to tao one is presumed to have become. Eventually the hope is
to become immortal, to achieve tao, to have reached the ...
Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.
Already a member? Login
|
reincarnation theory to Taoism is the
belief that the soul never dies, a person's soul is eternal. It is
possible to see death in contrast to life; both are unreal and changing.
One's soul does not leave the world into the unknown, for it can never go
away. Therefore there is no fear to come with death.
In the writings of The Tao Te Ching, tao is described as having
existed before heaven and earth. Tao is formless; it stands alone without
change and reaches everywhere without harm. The Taoist is told to use the
light that is inside to revert to the natural clearness of sight. By
divesting oneself of all external distractions and desires, one can achieve
tao. In ancient ...
Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library.
Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports,
and research papers in 2 minutes or less.
|
CITE THIS PAGE:
Taoism. (2004, September 25). Retrieved December 22, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Taoism/14907
"Taoism." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 25 Sep. 2004. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Taoism/14907>
"Taoism." Essayworld.com. September 25, 2004. Accessed December 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Taoism/14907.
"Taoism." Essayworld.com. September 25, 2004. Accessed December 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Taoism/14907.
|
Save
Report