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Daoism

Heavenly Worthy

In the Lingbao Daoist tradition the Heavenly Worthy (Tianzun) and other celestial lords are entreated to gain salvation for all humankind.

Daoism

The Daoist tradition incorporates a highly diverse range of philosophical, religious, and folk values and practices, all of which share a concern for realigning human life so that it is in better accord with the natural rhythms of the universe. Symbols of particular importance include the Way (Dao), the Great Ultimate (Taiji), yin and yang. The goals of practice are sagehood, immortality, and universal salvation. To attain these goals, Daoists have performed such activities as visualization meditation, forms of calisthenics, alchemical experiments, and elaborate communal rituals. Today, very... Read more about Daoism

Shangqing

Practitioners of the Shangqing tradition, which gained popularity in 4th-century China, strove to gain immortality through practicing meditation in a remote location. By visualizing the characteristics of various deities while reciting their esoteric names and attributes, the adept could simultaneously gain immortality and act as the mediator between heaven and earth. Shangqing visualization methods continue to play an important role in Daoist practice to this day.

Laozi

It is unknown whether a historical Laozi ever existed. The name “Laozi” simply means “Old Master.” According to Daoist legend, in the 6th century BCE this mysterious sage authored the Daodejing, a text which assumed great importance in both philosophical and religious Taoist traditions.

Eight Immortals

Since the Song dynasty (960-1279), the Baxian, or “Eight Immortals” have been a frequent subject of Daoist-inspired legend and artwork. They may be depicted separately, or as a group. The eight include: Zhongli Quan, depicted as a fat man with a bare belly holding a fan with which he can revive the dead; Zhang Guo Lao, a recluse who had numerous powers, such as rendering himself invisible; Lü Dongbin, who traveled the world for several centuries, using his sword to slay dragons and other demons; Cao Guojiu, the patron saint of actors; Li Tieguai, represented as a beggar with an iron staff;... Read more about Eight Immortals

taijiquan

Taijiquan, literally “the fist of the great ultimate,” refers to a method of calisthenics with roots in ancient Daoist longevity techniques. By following a series of slow, graceful movements, the practitioner attempts to stimulate and harmonize the circulation of qi (vital energy).

Lu Tung-pin; Lü Dongbin

Lu Tung-pin is one of the Baxian (Eight Immortals), who are frequently depicted in Daoist artwork. He is said to have been a reclusive scholar in 8th century China who attained immortality at the age of 50. In his right hand he holds a Daoist fly-brush and across his back is usually slung a sword. Before ascending to heaven, he traveled the world for some four centuries, slaying dragons and aiding those in need.

Daodejing

The Daodejing, literally “The Scripture of the Way and its Power,” has been influential in the philosophical and religious traditions of Daoism. It is traditionally dated to the 6th century BCE, although most scholars believe it was written several centuries later. The text is also known as the Laozi, after its purported author. The Daodejing has been rendered into English dozens of times, making it the most translated of any Chinese work.

qigong

According to modern Daoist practitioners, the goal of qigong is to enhance a person’s health by maintaining the proper balance of qi (vital energy) and enhancing its free circulation throughout the body. Techniques for accomplishing this include. meditation, taijiquan, massage, acupuncture, and eating a balanced diet.

Daoist meditation

There are two interrelated forms of Daoist meditation. In one, the practitioner visualizes the characteristics of various deities while reciting their esoteric names and attributes, thereby gaining immortality and acting as the mediator between heaven and earth. The other form is designed to maintain the body’s balanced circulation of qi (vital energy). The person does so by focusing his or her mental energy so that it directs the inner ch’i from one vital organ to another.

Cultivating the Way

Qigong is a series of practices or efforts to enhance or maintain the balance of qi (vital energy) throughout the human body. The physical, psychological, and spiritual practices include meditation, gentle gymnastic movements, and taijiquan, popularly known as Tai Chi.... Read more about Cultivating the Way

Folk Daoism Comes to the West

Daoism has entered the United States more or less to the degree that US immigration laws have accepted or rejected immigrants from Asia, particularly East Asia. Doaist practice has significantly increased in the United States since immigration reform in 1965, and Daoism has gained greater public popularity through the widespread practice of taijiquan (Tai Chi) for health purposes and the translation of the Daodejing into English.... Read more about Folk Daoism Comes to the West

The Way and Its Power

The central text of Daoism, the Daodejing, describes the dao as an ineffable creative, cosmological process in the world, often depicted by the diagram of yin, dark mystery, and yang, white clarity, trailing and carrying the seed of the other. Most Daoists hold a shared goal of becoming in tune with the ziran (spontaneity) of the Way, but philosophers in the centuries from 600 BCE - 200 CE have presented varied teachings and traditions drawing from the Daodejing and other Daoist texts.... Read more about The Way and Its Power

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