Taoism (道家/道教) is both a philosophy and an organized religion — encompassing mystical teachings of Laozi to elaborate temple rituals at Mount Wudang.
The Tao Te Ching
The foundational text attributed to Laozi — a 5,000-character work containing a complete philosophy of life and governance.
Core Concepts
Tao (道 — The Way): The ineffable principle underlying all reality.
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Wu Wei (无为 — Non-Action): Action in harmony with the natural flow of the universe.
Ziran (自然 — Naturalness): Being true to one’s nature and letting things be what they are.
Taoism and Confucianism became complementary — Confucian for social life, Taoist for spiritual cultivation.
Explore more in our Chinese Culture Complete Guide.
