Taoism Part 1 Summary

Taoism Part I. Little is known about Taoism. No date of its creation has ever been made a complete fact. It is believed to have arrived in China around the sixth century BCE. It was founded by Lao-tzu who is said to have written Taoism 's most important sacred writing, Tao Te Ching or The Way and Its Power. This book is "second only to the Bible in number of Western translations." (Mary Pat Fisher, pg. 186) Taoism is essentially one of the most passive traditions around the world. With the important symbols of life its teachers have taught the importance of peace. Taoism is a rich Chinese culture full of history and highly important to the world 's most populated country.
The story goes that as Lao-tzu was leaving for the mountains he passed a
It symbolizes the idea that there is a great emphasis on balance between the positive and negative aspects of life. Everything is said to have a relationship with an opposing factor. For example, men and women, or day and night. Yang is said to represent the power that starts things and Yin is said to be the power that completes them. (Overmyer, Daniel, Pg. 123) Water represents one of the most fundamental ideas that everything should flow. Water withers away the hardest of stones without any harm. Wu-wei, meaning "doing nothing" is just like the idea of water, where friction is small. Water adapts to its surroundings.
Part III. Taoism offers a freedom of spirit and a way to view the world from a wondrous holistic perspective. Even though I have attempted to "rise above" my cultural indoctrination to present an unbiased account of Taoism, I have no doubt failed to some extent due to my humanness and my Catholic "mindset." The task of accepting Taoism is difficult, but an attempt should be made. Even partial success is surely worthwhile. We should keep in mind one tried and tested truth: Things are never the way they