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The primary text of Taoism is [[Lao Tzu]]'s ''[[Tao Te Ching]]'', which works to express the essence of Tao.  The book stresses the ineffability of the Tao, and is the second most translated book after [[Christianity]]'s Holy [[Bible]].<ref>Center of Traditional Taoist Studies, www.tao.org/tao.html</ref>

The primary text of Taoism is [[Lao Tzu]]'s ''[[Tao Te Ching]]'', which works to express the essence of Tao.  The book stresses the ineffability of the Tao, and is the second most translated book after [[Christianity]]'s Holy [[Bible]].<ref>Center of Traditional Taoist Studies, www.tao.org/tao.html</ref>

The Tao Te Ching is composed of 81 poems, each of which focuses on either an aspect of Tao. These aspects can be applied to being an effective leader or cultivator of The Way.  

The Tao Te Ching is composed of 81 poems, each of which focuses on an aspect of the Tao. These aspects can be applied to being an effective leader or cultivator of The Way.  

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:''Taoist [[ethics]] are concerned less with doing good acts than becoming a good person who lives in harmony with all things and people.'' Because of this, devoted Taoists tend to be nice and accommodating people.  

:''Taoist [[ethics]] are concerned less with doing good acts than with becoming a good person who lives in harmony with all things and people.'' Because of this, devoted Taoists tend to be nice and accommodating people.  

Nonetheless, it is important to distinguish between Taoism as a [[philosophy]] (as described above) and Taosim as a [[religion]]. Taoist philosophies are readily compatible with most world religious views, most similar philosophically in some ways Buddhism. Taoist religious practices include numerous [[occult]] [[ritual]]s including 'internal alchemy' -- the ingestion of [[mineral]]s and [[herb]]s to supposedly restore balance to one's [[Yin]] and [[Yang]] energies—and the invocation of various Chinese [[pagan]] [[deitty|deities]]. For Christians, such religious Taoism shares many of the dangerous traits of other primitive pagan faiths and lacks the spiritual substance of the [[Judaism|Judeo]]-[[Christian]] traditions.

Nonetheless, it is important to distinguish between Taoism as a [[philosophy]] (as described above) and Taoism as a [[religion]]. Taoist philosophies are readily compatible with most world religious views, and are most similar philosophically in some ways to Buddhism. Taoist religious practices include numerous [[occult]] [[ritual]]s including 'internal alchemy' -- the ingestion of [[mineral]]s and [[herb]]s to supposedly restore balance to one's [[Yin]] and [[Yang]] energies—and the invocation of various Chinese [[pagan]] [[deitty|deities]]. For Christians, such religious Taoism shares many of the dangerous traits of other primitive pagan faiths and lacks the spiritual substance of the [[Judaism|Judeo]]-[[Christian]] traditions.

The ideal of the Taoist 'Sage' is one who ultimately removes themselves completely from society (see [[renunciation]] and [[hermit]]) in order to avoid the [[immoral]] dangers of society's [[moral degeneration]]. The goal of this hermit-like renunciation and reclusive life is in order to more easily [[meditation|meditate]] on the Tao in order go to the Taoist conception of [[heaven]].  

The ideal of the Taoist 'Sage' is one who ultimately removes themselves completely from society (see [[renunciation]] and [[hermit]]) in order to avoid the [[immoral]] dangers of society's [[moral degeneration]]. The goal of this hermit-like renunciation and reclusive life is to more easily [[meditation|meditate]] on the Tao in order to go to the Taoist conception of [[heaven]].  

Taoism originated in [[China]]. Accurate figures for the number of believers of Taoism are elusive, for two reasons. Firstly, Taoism is a loosely defined faith, so some people don't even realize they're practicing it. Secondly, the [[Communist]] Chinese government does not record most religions in its [[census]]es, on account of the government's anti-religious stance. However, Taoism is one of the five religions officially recognized by the Chinese government, the others being (in order of prevalence) [[Buddhism]], [[Islam]] (due to the eastern provinces), [[Protestant]] [[Christianity]], [[Catholicism]].<ref>South China Morning Post, April 30, 2007, www.scmp.com</ref>

Taoism originated in [[China]]. Accurate figures for the number of believers of Taoism are elusive, for two reasons. Firstly, Taoism is a loosely defined faith, so some people don't even realize they're practicing it. Secondly, the [[Communist]] Chinese government does not record most religions in its [[census]]es, on account of the government's anti-religious stance. However, Taoism is one of the five religions officially recognized by the Chinese government, the others being (in order of prevalence) [[Buddhism]], [[Islam]] (due to the eastern provinces), [[Protestant]] [[Christianity]], [[Catholicism]].<ref>South China Morning Post, April 30, 2007, www.scmp.com</ref>

* [[Zen]]

* [[Zen]]

* [[Falun Gong]]

* [[Falun Gong]]

* [[New Age| New Age Spirituality]]

* [[New Age|New Age Spirituality]]

* [[Feng Shui]]

* [[Feng Shui]]

* [[World History Lecture Three]]

* [[World History Lecture Three]]