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Essay on Exploring the Religion of Taoism

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Though no one is completely certain, The Urantia Book Fellowship(Sprunger) many scholars believe Taoism’s foundation goes back to 604 BC, by Lao Tzu. Taoism is one of the more influential religious practices of the Eastern culture and many view it as a way of life rather than a religion. It emphasizes various themes centered on naturalness, vitality, peace, non-interference/non-resistance, refinement, detachment, flexibility, receptiveness, spontaneity, and the ways of life, speaking, and guiding behavior. Taoism represents the road, path followed in life, the flow of the universe, or the force behind the natural order of life that keeps the universe balanced and ordered. There are several variations of Taoism practiced around the …show more content…

Out of this work came the representation of two forces in nature, the Yin and Yang symbol of balance.

According to information gathered from the online source, Taoism or the Tao Religion (Our Ultimate Reality), the Yin and Yang represents two breaths or the chi life force. This Yin life force is the feminine principle of darkness, coolness, and dampness, while the white, the Yang, is the masculine principle of brightness, warmth, and dryness. They are not opposites, not all good, or bad, but both needed to maintain universe stability. Defined through opposition, Taoists believe in the virtues of balance and understanding.
Adopted to become the official religion of China between 100 and 200 AD, Taoism and a competition between Buddhism, gave way to incorporating many Buddhist beliefs. These adaptations included replacing the search for self-knowledge and wisdom with that of searching for solutions to sorrow and physical limitations. This transition created several problems for the Taoists trying to escape reality. Alchemy and superstition became popular practices as Taoists tried to escape the real world. Many utilized superstition, magic, and the Tao to extend physical life rather than focus on an after-life.
Gradually, Taoism became more complicated because of the pantheon of gods and ruling hierarchy worshiped. Chang Link took the

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