The origin and founder of Taoism

The founder of Taoism is Zhang Daoling. According to the general academic circles, the first classic of Taoism is Taiping Jing, which was completed in the Eastern Han Dynasty, so the Eastern Han Dynasty is regarded as the initial period of Taoism. The formal existence of Taoist entity activities in Taoism is the appearance of Taiping Dao and Wudoumi Dao in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, and the three books of Taiping Jing, Zhouyi Shentongqi and Laozi Xianger Zhu are the symbols of the formation of Taoist beliefs and theories.

Taoism was formed by the long-term historical development of ancient religions in China according to their own internal logic, and Taoism is a native religion in China. China ancestors worshipped nature, ghosts and gods, and divination, which communicated the wishes of human beings and gods, prevailed. This primitive religion gradually evolved into the worship of heaven or god and ancestor worship during the Yin and Zhou Dynasties.

The main teachings of Taoism

1. Respect Tao and be virtuous. "Tao" is the core of Taoist belief.

Taoism regards Tao as the highest belief, regards the Classic of Tao Te Ching as a classic, and respects Tao and morality. It is believed that Tao is the origin of all things in the world, and the universe, Yin and Yang, and Vientiane are all born of Tao. Virtue is "virtue", and Tao is embodied in people and everything. People and everything are born of Tao and moral education, so we should respect Tao as morality.

2. Immortality is the goal of Taoist practice.

Taoism believes that Tao can be repaired and become immortal. Taoism regards life as extremely important, and cultivation means immortality. It advocates prolonging the length of life and improving the quality of life through cultivation, so as to achieve the eternity of life. Taoism advocates treating secular life with a pure and inaction attitude, practicing with the spirit of "my life is in my absence", and uniting with Taoism through various Taoist practices to become immortal.