Taoism

Taoism is a philosophy and religion dating from the Fourth Century BCE. Laozi, a philosopher of Honan, is attributed as author of the Tao Te Ching, a set of eighty-one verses about Tao. Taoism became the primary religion of China in 440 CE and enjoyed that status intermittently until the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1911. Along with Confucianism and Buddhism it is one of the three great religio-philosophic systems of China.

From the 1940s to 1982 Taoism was brutally oppressed along with other religious groups in accordance with Marxist Theory. Several million monks were sent to labor camps and many temples were destroyed throughout the Middle Kingdom. Since 1982, communist leaders have recognized Taoism as an important religion of China devoted to universal unity and peace, and many temples and monasteries have been repaired and re-opened.

Modern estimates put the number of Taoists outside of China at 31,000,000, located predominantly in Taiwan. Many scholars argue that Taoism is still a prevalent belief within China itself, estimating that the true number of Taoists worldwide once Chinese believers are accounted for may be over one billion, making it the second largest religion of the world; however due to the intertwined nature of Chinese traditional religion and other restrictions, a census on the number of adherents in China is not possible.

Laozi founded Taoism around 500 BCE. He was searching for solutions to the major problems of constant feudal warfare and society during his time period. Others believe that he is a mythical character. Subsequent Taoist teachers include Yang Zhu, Zhuangzi and Liezi. All of their teachings are expressed in two pivotal texts: the Tao Te Ching and the Zhuangzi.

As of 2005 Taoism has 31 million followers outside of China, primarily centered in Taiwan, where it is prevalent. Around 30,000 Taoists live in North America. Taoism has had a significant influence world-wide, in many Western societies it can be seen in acupuncture, herbalism, holistic medicine, meditation, martial arts, Feng Shui and Tai Chi.

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