The Concept of Chinese Taoism Religion

Introduction

Religion is a system of behaviours and beliefs that deal with the relationship among the humans and the supernatural. Here I want to discuss Chinese type of religion, its belief system, mythologie, symbol and practice and cleric.

About Taoism

Modern China claims to take this form of state secularism to the extreme, going as far as to advocate an almost atheistic existence in its Communist politicians. However, this is largely rhetoric. Currently, there are only five religions recognized by the Communist party: Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam. Confucianism and traditional folk religions also have some esteem due to their local origins. Chinese citizens are free to practice these religions will the promise of impartiality. China shares in America’s complex relationship with religion. One cannot ignore the intersectionality of the two across the span of Chinese history. This is especially true for Taoism, which has had a unique role in political affairs and the interests of the imperial class shifted over time.

Taoism is a religion of China; it believes in Tao which is the way that one should obey in life. Tao is created on the rules of Yin and Yang, Taoists believe that there are two forces that work together in the universe known as yin and yang. Yin is the female aspect that is linked with the earth, softness, darkness and coldness and Yang is a male aspect that is linked with the heavens, hardness, light and warmth. Taoists believe that Tao is the original nature of the things that happen in the world. Taoism believes that humans and animals must live in balance with the universe. Taoists believe in spiritual eternity in which the spirit of the body connects with the universe after death.

Taoism instils that all the living beings must live in harmony with the universe and the energy found in the universe. They do not consider this energy as God instead there are gods that are part of the Taoist beliefs, they are part of the Tao. Taoism does not have a God like the Abrahamic religions. It has gods that are borrowed from other beliefs. Taoism have temples, religious communities and priests who meditate, make offerings, and do other rituals for their people. They do ritual of purifying the heart to relieve the guilt for bad behaviour in life and moral contamination. They do communal renewal in order to unite all the energies to bring about unity to the Tao, for example the Puppet Theartre. They communicate with the dead so that they can protect the whole community. The symbol of Taoism is the hexagram Tai from Classic of Changes which means peace and shows harmony between heaven and earth. The yin-yang symbol is based on how harmony and balance is important.

Conclusion

Religions are important because it gives a person sense of belonging, it gives one’s life purpose and meaning. They must be obeyed because it provides social order in society, people in the society know what is accepted and what is not accepted.