Laozi, the founder of Taoism, regards "Tao" as the noumenon of the universe and the law of all things, which is a mysterious existence beyond time and space, and established a theoretical system of Taoist theology based on "Tao"; The mysticism of Laozi and Zhuangzi and the thought of keeping in good health constitute the core belief of Taoism. Paying attention to the cultivation of health preservation, the methods put forward by Laozi and Zhuangzi, such as quietism, simplifying complexity and forgetfulness, were inherited and carried forward by believers.
General situation of Taoism:
Taoism, which originated in ancient China during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, is a primitive religious form of polytheism. Its main purpose is to pursue immortality, achieve immortality, and help the world and save people. It occupies an important position in China's ancient traditional culture and develops actively in the modern world. Although Taoism has been one of hundred schools of thought since the Warring States Period, it deified the former moral philosophers. Cults didn't appear until the end of the Han Dynasty, and Shi Tian of Yizhou (now Sichuan) addressed Lao Zi as a gentleman. By the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the religious form of Taoism was gradually improved. Laozi Li Er (the Grandfather) was the ancestor of the Tang Dynasty, and in the Tang Dynasty he was honored as the sage of Yuanque Avenue and the Emperor Xuanyuan.
Taoism takes "Tao" as its highest belief and holds that "Tao" is the source of all things. In the traditional culture of China, Taoism, together with Confucianism and Buddhism, is a dominant theory and a way to cultivate immortality.
Taoism in academic circles now refers to the ancient religious beliefs in China, which inherited most religious concepts and practice methods of Fang and Huang, as well as folk belief in gods, and gradually formed the highest belief of "Tao". It is a kind of China religion with Taishang Laojun as the leader and Laozi's Tao Te Ching as the classic of cultivating immortals, but it is not the main classic of cultivating immortals. The main methods of Taoist immortality can be roughly summarized into five types: taking immortal medicine, external alchemy, refining qi to lead the way, practicing inner alchemy, practicing immortality through Taoist utensils, and self-cultivation. Usually, the immortals in the later period are cultivated by Inner Dan.
Laozi, the founder of Taoism, regards "Tao" as the noumenon of the universe and the law of all things, which is a mysterious existence beyond time and space, and established a theoretical system of Taoist theology based on "Tao"; The mysticism of Laozi and Zhuangzi and the thought of keeping in good health constitute the core belief of Taoism. Paying attention to the cultivation of health preservation, the methods put forward by Laozi and Zhuangzi, such as quietism, simplifying complexity and forgetfulness, were inherited and carried forward by believers.
Reference: Baidu Taoist Encyclopedia
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