TAOISM

"The second of the three major teachings which form the roots of Chinese beliefs is Taoism . The Tao translates literally as the ""Way"" and, in its purest form, Taoism is the study and pursuit of this ineffable Way, as outlined in the fundamental text, the Daodejing (often written as Tao Te Ching) or ""The Way of Power"". This obscure and mystical text essentially comprises a compilation of the wise sayings of a semi-mythical hermit by the name of Lao Zi , who is said to have been a contemporary of Confucius. The Daodejing was not compiled until at least three centuries after his death.

The Tao is never really defined - indeed by its very nature it is undefinable. To the despair of the rationalist, the first lines of the Daodejing read:

The Tao that can be told
is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named
is not the eternal name.


In essence, however, it might be thought of as the Way of Nature, the underlying principle and source of all being, the bond which unites man and nature. Its central principle is Wu Wei , which can crudely be translated as ""no action,"" though it is probably better understood as ""no action which runs contrary to nature"". Taoism was originally the creed of the recluse. Whereas Confucianism is concerned with repairing social order and social relationships, Taoism is interested in the relationship of the individual with the natural universe. It simply looks at human problems from another, higher plane: having good relations with one's neighbours is of no use if one is not in harmony with nature.

Taoism's second major text is a book of parables written by one ideal practitioner of the Way, Zhuang Zi . Like the master Lao Zi, Zhuang Zi is a semi-mythical figure. Acknowledged in his lifetime as a great sage, he rejected all offers of high rank in favour of a life of solitary reflection. His works - allegorical tales which have delighted Chinese readers for centuries - reveal humour as well as perception; in the famous butterfly parable Zhuang Zi examines the many faces of reality:

Once upon a time Zhuang Zi dreamed he was a butterfly. A butterfly flying around and enjoying itself. It did not know it was Zhuang Zi again. We do not know whether it was Zhuang Zi dreaming that he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was Zhuang Zi.

As it became part of Chinese culture, Taoism offered a contrast to the stern propriety of Confucianism. In traditional China it was said that the perfect lifestyle was that of a man who was a Confucian during the day - a righteous and firm administrator, upholding the virtues of the gentleman/ruler - and a Taoist after the duties of the day had been fulfilled. The practice of Taoism affirms the virtues of withdrawing from public duties and giving oneself up to a life of contemplation and meditation . If Confucianism preaches duty to family and to society, Taoism champions the sublimity of withdrawal, non-committedness and ""dropping out"". In its affirmation of the irrational and natural sources of life, it has provided Chinese culture with a balance to the rigid social mores of Confucianism. The art and literature of China have been greatly enriched by Taoism's notions of contemplation, detachment and freedom from social entanglement, and the Tao has become embedded in the Chinese soul as a doctrine of yielding to the inevitable forces of nature."