Taoism

1
Taoism

• By India Hester
• Kevin Katz
• Elizabeth Southern
• Justin Thernize

2
Origin of the Religion

• It originated in China.
• There are 2 distinct sources
• Philosophers from the 5th-3rd century B.C.E. who
  follow a way of nature.
• The Shamans (religious people who perform many
  services) and magicians.
• The Shamans are associated with the spiritual
  world, healers, and destroyers of evil spirits.
• The teachings come from Lao Tzu.

3
The Holy text

• The primary text is called the Tao Te Ching,
  written by Lao Tzu in the 6th-3rd century B.C.E.
• There is a second book written by Chuang Tzu
  shares to same basic principle as Tao Te Ching.
• The books explain how to live your life in
  harmony with nature and change.
• Tao is Chinese for the way.

4
Geographical Areas of Taoism

• It started in China, but has spread throughout
  Asia and the middle east.
• There are very few American followers that
  practice Taoism.
• There are Taoists in places like Tibet and India.

5
Map
6
Major Beliefs of Taoism

• Four types of beliefs
• De
• Wu Wei Central concept, reveals the soft and
  invincible power within all things. (water)
• Pu Stay in a positive state of mind, understand
  nature around the world. There is n o right or
  wrong, beauty or ugly.
• Lao Power, virtue, and intensity

7
Beliefs About After Life

• Death is neither feared nor desired
• When you die, your soul reincarnates into a new
  form.
• When you die, you bounce back into your own life
  and have the opportunity to experience another
  variation of your life.
• You return to the Tao when you die.
• Taoists believe they are of the Tao when living
  and when you die you are the Tao again.
• Death is the point where your essence is not
  you--you cease to exist.

8
A day in the life of a Taoist Winter Solstice

• During Winter Solstice Taoists prepare a big
  celebrations
• They visit temples to request blessings and
  eliminate debts and sins.
• They prepare alters dedicated to their deities
  and ancestors