Achievement of the Tao. Taoism

And other "barbarian" states in southern China, the doctrine of immortality and magical practices that developed in the kingdom of Qi and the philosophical tradition of northern China.

Philosophical writings related to Taoism begin with the era of the Conflicting Kingdoms (Zhanguo) in the 5th century BC. e. , almost simultaneously with the teachings of Confucius. Tradition considers the legendary Yellow Emperor Huangdi to be the founder of Taoism.

Another founder of Taoism is the ancient Chinese sage Lao Tzu. Taoist tradition ascribes to him the authorship of one of the main books of Taoism - "Tao Te Ching". This treatise was the core around which the teachings of Taoism began to take shape.

Another famous text of early Taoism is Zhuangzi, authored by Zhuang Zhou (369-286 BC), known as Chuangzi, after whom his work is named.

At the beginning of the 2nd century A.D. e. the figure of Lao Tzu is deified, a complex hierarchy of deities and demons is developed, a cult arises, in which divination and rituals that “cast out” evil spirits take a central place. The pantheon of Taoism was headed by Jasper Lord (Shan-di), who was revered as the god of heaven, the highest deity and the father of emperors (“sons of heaven”). He was followed by Lao-tzu and the creator of the world - Pan-gu.

The first Taoist schools

Religious Taoism took shape during the late Han Dynasty: Zhang Daoling (34 - 156) founded the 天师 School of Heavenly Teachers and became its first patriarch. In the second half of the 2nd century, the prerequisite for the popularity of Taoism was the Yellow Turban Rebellion 184-204: the Third Heavenly Master Zhang Lu was able to gain control of the territory in the mountains of Sichuan, which became the first Taoist theocratic state. The Taoist state was defeated by Cao Cao and ceased to exist.

Later, other Taoist schools appeared. The Maoshan (aka Shangqing) and Lingbao schools played an important role in the development of Taoism.

Literature (including Chinese) often discusses the possibility of borrowing the provisions of Taoism from Indian philosophy, or vice versa, transferring Taoism to India and founding Buddhism there. The similarity with the Chinese philosophy of the Indian concept of the faceless Absolute is also indicated, the emanation of which created the visible phenomenal world and to merge with which (to get away from the phenomenal world) was the goal of the Brahmins. This question has been repeatedly raised in various Taoist schools. However, a detailed study rejects the hypothesis of direct borrowing.

Lao Tzu could not bring to India a philosophy that had been known there for at least five hundred years before he was born. In its concrete practical activity, Taoism in China bore little resemblance to the practice of Brahmanism. On Chinese soil, rationalism overcame any mysticism, pushed it to the periphery of public consciousness, where it could only be preserved. This is what happened with Taoism. Although the Taoist treatise Zhuangzi (4th-3rd centuries BC) says that life and death are relative concepts, the emphasis is on life and how it should be organized.

The mystical ideals in this treatise, expressed, in particular, in references to fantastic longevity (800, 1200 years) and immortality, which can be achieved by righteous hermits who approach the Tao, played an important role in the transformation of philosophical Taoism into religious Taoism. This is its main divergence from most religions: the desire for immortality among the Taoists replaces the desire for paradise among followers of other faiths.

Formation of the canon

Taoism further divided into two currents: the schools of Sun Jian and Yin Wen, on the one hand, and the Zhuang Zhou school, on the other.

Decline of Taoism in the Qing era

Taoism at present

Under the Qing, the Taoists were once again accused by Chinese zealots of strict classics of undermining traditional values, which allegedly resulted in the conquest of the country by the "barbarians". These scholars called for rejecting Taoism and Buddhism as false teachings that had finally compromised themselves and returning to their own philosophical origins, which ultimately resulted in a literary and social movement that received the name han xue, that is, “han science”, which in this case meant classical Confucianism. During the Taiping Rebellion (1850), Taoist monasteries are devastated, which the leaders of the rebels explain by the need to "combat superstitions." Taoist literature is expelled from library collections with such zeal that by the beginning of the 20th century. "Tao Zang" remains almost in a single copy. Until the Xinhai Revolution (1911), and even later, traditionalist scholars did not get tired of subjecting Taoist philosophy to severe criticism as excessively “contemplative”, paralyzing the will to fight, undermining public morality and the moral foundations of the state. Epochs of tolerant and even benevolent attitude of the authorities towards Taoist speculation were replaced by periods of persecution right up to modern times. In the 1960s the practice of persecuting adherents of Taoism was revived by the leaders of the "cultural revolution". By the end of the 1970s. excesses over cultural heritage have largely ceased, although the relative rehabilitation of Taoism and Taoist philosophy (along with Confucianism and Buddhism) only began with the formal proclamation of the reform course (1978) by Deng Xiaoping. In Taiwan, Taoism has retained its influence and traditional institutions to the present day. In the People's Republic of China, at present, the Baiyunsi Monastery in Beijing remains the most famous modern center of Taoism. Philosophizing in the Taoist style in modern China continues, according to tradition, mainly in essayistic literature and poetry of the philosophical genre.

Elements of teaching

The foundations of Taoism, the philosophy of Lao Tzu are set forth in the treatise "Tao Te Ching" (4th-3rd centuries BC). At the center of the doctrine is the doctrine of the great Tao, the universal Law and the Absolute. Tao is ambiguous, it is an endless movement. Tao is a kind of law of being, space, the universal unity of the world. Tao dominates everywhere and in everything, always and without limits. No one created it, but everything comes from it, in order to then, having completed the circuit, return to it again. Invisible and inaudible, inaccessible to the senses, constant and inexhaustible, nameless and formless, it gives rise, name and form to everything in the world. Even the great Heaven follows the Tao.

Each person, in order to become happy, must embark on this path, try to cognize the Tao and merge with it. According to the teachings of Taoism, the human microcosm is eternal in the same way as the universe-macrocosm. Physical death means only that the spirit separates from the person and dissolves into the macrocosm. The task of a person in his life is to ensure that his soul merges with the world order of Tao. How can such a merger be achieved? The answer to this question is contained in the teachings of the Tao.

The Way of Tao has the power of Te. It is through the power of Wu-Wei that the Tao manifests itself in every person. This force cannot be interpreted as an effort, but, on the contrary, as a desire to avoid any effort. Wu-wei - means "non-action", the denial of purposeful activity that goes against the natural order. In the process of life, it is necessary to adhere to the principle of non-action - the principle of Wu-wei. This is not inaction. This is human activity, which is consistent with the natural course of the world order. Any action that is contrary to the Tao means a waste of energy and leads to failure and death. Thus, Taoism teaches a contemplative attitude towards life. Bliss is achieved not by one who seeks to win the favor of the Tao with good deeds, but by one who, in the process of meditation, immersion in his inner world, seeks to listen to himself, but through himself to listen and comprehend the rhythm of the universe. Thus, the purpose of life was comprehended in Taoism as a return to the eternal, a return to one's roots.

The moral ideal of Taoism is a hermit who, with the help of religious meditation, breathing and gymnastic exercises, achieves a high spiritual state that allows him to overcome all passions and desires, immerse himself in communion with the divine Tao.

Tao manifests itself through everyday life and is embodied in the actions of trained people, although few of them fully “walk the Way”. Moreover, the very practice of Taoism is built on a complex system of symbolism of interrelationships and unity of the general, cosmic, and internal, human world. Everything, for example, is permeated with a single qi energy. A child is born from the mixing of the original qi (yuan qi) father and mother; a person lives only by continuing to saturate the body with some external qi ( wai qi), translating it into an internal state with the help of a system of breathing exercises and proper nutrition. Everything truly “great” is connected with the beyond, Tao, which at the same time manifests itself in things, phenomena, and actions every moment. The cosmic here is constantly projected onto the human and emerges in a special vital "energeticism", the energy potential of both the Tao itself and the people who were able to fully comprehend it. The path of Tao itself is perceived as an energetic, inspiring beginning, for example, in Zhuang Tzu it is said: “He spiritualized deities and kings, gave birth to Heaven and Earth.”

Political and legal thought of Taoism

The ideology of early Taoism reflected the views of the petty nobility and the communal elite, their protest against the excessive enrichment of the rulers, the strengthening of the bureaucracy and the expansion of state activity. Having lost their former influence, these layers sought the restoration of the patriarchal order.

The founders of Taoism sought to debunk the ideology of the ruling circles, and first of all the official religious cult with its dogmas about the "heavenly will" and "the sovereign - the son of heaven", granting the laws of Tao to the people. Tao in the interpretation of the followers of Lao Tzu is an absolute universal principle. Taoists explained the shortcomings in society by the fact that people, indulging in vain desires, moved away from their original simplicity, broke the natural bonds that held them to the earth, and instead of wisdom rely on knowledge. The cause of social turmoil is the transition from the initial fusion of man with the Tao to the development of his abilities and knowledge.

In socio-ethical terms, the leitmotif of Taoism is the condemnation of pride, the preaching of average prosperity and moderation.

The Tao Te Ching reflects the widespread ideas among the communal peasantry about redistribution of property in favor of the poor. The celestial tao, the canon says, “takes away what is superfluous and gives what is taken away to those who need it. The Tao of Heaven takes from the rich and gives to the poor what is taken from them.”

Lao Tzu linked his hopes for the restoration of the natural simplicity of human relations with clever leaders from among the hereditary nobility who could see the “wonderful secret of the Tao” and lead the people.

A wise sovereign, the Taoists taught, rules the country using the method of non-action, that is, refraining from active interference in the affairs of members of society. Lao Tzu blamed the rulers of his day for being too active, imposing a lot of taxes and prohibitive laws, and waging endless wars. "The best ruler is the one about whom the people know only that he exists."

Main categories of Taoism

• Tao (道) - literally "the way", in Taoism - being and changing the Universe in the most general sense. Impersonal force, the will of the universe, which must comply with the order of all things in the world
• Te (德) - literally "virtue" or "morality". Virtue, given from above (from Tao), does not have the characteristics of a physical, forceful impact, in contrast to the Greek “arete”. Grace, a huge spiritual power that Heaven endowed the ruler of China and which he could transfer to his subjects
• Wu-wei (無為) - literally "non-action" - understanding when to act and when to do nothing
• Pu - literally "an unprocessed piece of wood" personifies the energy of objects untouched by nature, if it is simpler, then the simplicity of the soul, the soul of pu.

Components of Taoism

• Taoist philosophy
• The Book of Changes, especially revered in Confucianism and Taoism
• Taoist doctrine of immortality, external alchemy, internal alchemy
• Taoist meditation
• Huantingjing - "Canon of the Yellow Court"
• Shangqing - "School of the Highest Purity"

Prominent figures in Taoism

• Huang Di - the legendary ruler of China and a mythical character, is considered the founder of Taoism
• Lao Tzu is an ancient Chinese philosopher of the 6th-5th centuries BC. e., one of the founders of Taoism
• Zhang Daoling - founder of the first sustainable Taoist organization (Five Buckets of Rice) in the Han era
• Ge Xuan - the legendary Taoist whose writings are the basis of the Lingbao tradition
• Ge Hong - Chinese Taoist scholar and alchemist, great-nephew of Ge Xuan, who wrote the encyclopedic work Baopu-zi on external alchemy
• Ge Chaofu - great-nephew of Ge Hong, founder of the Lingbao school
• Kou Qianzhi - reformer of the School of Heavenly Guides, who first achieved the proclamation of Taoism as the state religion
• Yang Xi - Taoist, founder of the Shangqing School
• Tao Hongqing - Taoist encyclopedist who strengthened the Shangqing school
• Lü Dongbin - legendary patriarch, one of the Eight Immortals
• Chen Tuan - famous Taoist from Wudangshan Mountain who influenced social thought in China
• Zhang Sanfeng - a Daoist from Wudangshan Mountain who is credited as the founder of several systems of gymnastics, including Taijiquan

Taoism and other teachings

Taoism and Confucianism

Taoism, with its concept of non-action, has traditionally been in opposition to Confucianism, which preached service to the sovereign and society. This opposition was so deep that it was even reflected in the activities of the Jesuit missionaries: for example, Matteo Ricci was in close contact with the Confucian elite and rejected Taoism as a pagan practice - while his opponent, Ruggieri (Michele Ruggieri), argued the similarity between the concepts Tao and logos.

For the integration of elements of Taoism into Confucianism, see Neo-Confucianism

Taoism and Buddhism

The first Taoist school to emerge from the study of Buddhist treatises was the Lingbao school. Its founder, Ge Chaofu, adopted from Buddhism the idea of ​​rebirth in the five worlds and elements of cosmology in a greatly simplified form. At the same time, the Taoists did not leave the practice of achieving immortality, but they improved the concept of immortality, abandoning the literal interpretation of the endless stay in the same earthly body, and introducing other worlds for the celestials - happy lands, islands of the immortals, etc. From the Buddhist theory of rebirth followed the doctrine of karma and reward. Later, Buddhist elements became familiar to the Taoist schools, which also adopted Buddhist meditation methods.

• Interaction between Taoism and Buddhism
• Historical conflicts between Taoism and Buddhism

Taoism and modernity

Links

Literature

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The traditional Chinese teaching of Tao is a combination of philosophy and religion. The philosophy of Taoism combines different types of spiritual practices aimed at achieving true enlightenment. Cognition of Tao is the way of life and at the same time the very essence of life.

The birth of dosism

The doctrine of Tao is mysterious and contradictory. It is older than the Abrahamic religions, and the history of its origin is shrouded in mystery. The main teacher of ancient Chinese philosophy is Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor. Little information has been preserved about his life, it is contradictory and more like myths. He was the greatest sage of his time, and after the death of the physical body, he was reborn and gained eternal immortality.

The Yellow Emperor created the foundation of the Tao, but its main author is Lao Tzu. He wrote the famous treatise "Tao Te Ching", in which he outlined the basic concepts and ideas of the teaching. In the annals of ancient historians, information has been preserved about the meeting of Lao Tzu with Confucius, another great Teacher. Lao Tzu was older than Confucius and condemned his interpretation of philosophy and excessive obsession in preaching the ideas of the Tao.

The sage opposed his teaching, which spread everywhere, to Confucianism. It quickly became popular and the government did not like it. Lao Tzu had to flee the country, but his teachings could not be eradicated and Confucius had to put up with it.

The founders of the doctrine

In addition to the founders Huang Di and Lao Tzu, Chinese history has many followers of the doctrine of Tao, who made a significant contribution to its development. Among them, a special place is occupied by:

1. Zhang Daoling. He founded the first school of Taoism, the Five Ladles of Rice, which later became the school of the First Teachers. For a long time he was its patriarch.
2. Ge Xuan. He wrote several philosophical treatises that formed the basis of the Lingbao school. He was revered by his followers no less than Lao Tzu himself.
3. Ge Chaofu. Founded the Lingbao school.
4. Kou Qianzhi. Under his influence, Taoism became the state religion. He carried out reforms in the School of the First Teachers, spreading its teachings throughout China.
5. Yang Si. He founded the Shangqing school, which focuses on the religious side of teaching.
6. Wang Chongyang. Founded the Quanzhen school.
7. Zhang Sanfeng. He created several systems of gymnastics used in spiritual practices.

The Eight Immortals occupy a special place in the development of Taoism. They are revered as deities, but were born ordinary people and joined the pantheon only after death. They patronize scientists, musicians and actors. Images of the Eight Immortals are often found in Chinese art and culture.

What is Dao?

The concept of Tao has no specific meaning. Even the famous Taoists who preach the doctrine cannot say exactly what its main idea is. The description given by Lao Tzu presents Tao as the beginning of everything. It is the source of life and life itself. The philosopher calls Tao the road of life, law and destiny, which is predetermined by the divine Tao.

In Taoism, there are two Tao. One of them has no name, its visual embodiment is Ouroboros. This is a universal dragon that devours its own tail. Ouroboros symbolizes the endless cycle of life. It is not given to a person to know the true essence of the life cycle, he can only contemplate. Tao with a name is available to people's consciousness - it symbolizes the finiteness of earthly life. Only those who have accepted the transience and temporality of their physical existence will know the Tao and become part of eternity.

Concepts and ideas

Taoism formed the basis of the state philosophy of China. Taoism defines the life guidelines of most modern Chinese. Its basic ideas have not changed since the time of Confucius, and remain relevant. Basic concepts of Taoism:

• Tao - the path, the impersonal force that controls all phenomena in the universe;
• Te - fortitude, a virtue that Tao endows the rulers of China;
• Qi is the life energy present in all beings;
• Wu-wei - the principle of non-action, according to which the best strategy of behavior is not to interfere with the natural course of things;
• Pu is the energy of empty objects.

The main essence of Taoism is the search for the true path. Taoist seeks to become one with the outside world, to gain enlightenment. Tao is infinite and multi-valued, it is the universal law of being. It is impossible to know it with the senses, only the enlightened one can comprehend the great law, which even Heaven follows. To know true happiness, a person must know the Tao and go through his life path consciously. After physical death, the immortal spirit merges with the Tao, but the task of a person is to achieve this merge during life. The teachings of Taoism help with this.

Every person walks the path of Tao, but does it unconsciously. In order to develop spiritually, people must adhere to the principle of non-action. It can be confused with indifference, but in fact it is the only truly conscious activity. Non-action teaches contemplation, knowledge of one's inner world, and through it - unity with the universe. The ideal of one who follows the path of Tao is immersion in the divine Tao. This can be achieved through many years of meditation practice, special gymnastics and breathing exercises.

Male and female manifestation of the Tao

The universe is based on two opposing forces: female Yin and male Yang. Yin is passive, soft, it slows down processes and keeps it in a state of rest. Yang is aggressive and bright, it helps to increase activity. The forces are filled with Qi energy, which gives life to all things and phenomena. All life processes in nature are governed by the interaction of these three principles.

All meditation practices are based on the interaction of Yin and Yang. If the energies are in balance, the person is healthy. If one of the energies increases disproportionately, the physical and mental state changes. A man with an excess of Yin becomes indecisive and indifferent. A woman who has accumulated too much Yang becomes aggressive and does not control her actions. Healing practices are aimed at restoring and maintaining the regulation of the feminine and masculine principles and saturating the body with Qi energy. The doctrine of the organization of space - Feng Shui is also based on the interaction of three principles.

Religious rites and deities

After the canonization of Lao Tzu, a complex hierarchy of good gods and evil demons formed the basis of Taoist philosophy. The list of the main gods recognized by different schools of Taoism is approximately the same. The main role in the pantheon is occupied by the Three pure deities, who succeeded each other and ruled the world for several time cycles. Behind them is the Jade Emperor - the ruler of human destinies. Almost equivalent to him is the Lady of the West. She opens the gates of life, releasing souls to earth and letting them into Heaven after death.

The Jade Emperor is ruled by the Seven Lords of the Stars of the Northern Dipper and the Six Lords of the Stars of the Southern Dipper. Next, follow the guardians of the cardinal points and the guardians of the elements. They have thousands of deities under their control, including those who joined the pantheon after earthly life.

Religious rites in Doasism are conditional. They are designed to unite people, pay respect to the deities and receive their blessing. The most popular rituals are held on the eve of the New Year and after it. Preparation for the holiday begins in January. People do spring cleaning in their homes, hang red decorations, give each other gifts and visit each other. The celebration of the New Year lasts for several days in a row. At this time, mass festivities are organized. The protagonist of the holiday is the Chinese dragon, a symbol of the manifestation of Yang.

To protect the house from evil spirits and attract good luck, the Chinese put paper dragon masks in the windows, and a Yin and Yang symbol surrounded by trigrams is hung above the front door. In order not to experience problems with money in the coming year, the Chinese give each other tangerines - a symbol of financial well-being. To appease the patron gods, special treats are placed on the table for them. Nobody touches these dishes, and after the holidays they are taken to the temple or given to the poor. The more generous the treat was, the more luck awaits a person in the coming year.

However, in chaos, like a chicken in a hen's egg, the ancestor of the Pangu people slept. He grew, and he became cramped in the egg. Then Pangu broke through the shell and found himself between Yang, which turned into the sky, and Yin, which became the Earth. For another 18,000 years, Pangu continued to grow, and with his head he raised the sky higher and higher, separating it from the earth, and then cut the bridge between them so that the earth and sky could not unite again.

Before our world arose, chaos reigned everywhere by the name of Hundun. One day the lord of the North Hu and the lord of the South Shu, who were otherwise called Yin and Yang, came to him. And in order to improve the life of the hundun, they drilled in his body those seven holes that are now in the head of every person - eyes, ears, nostrils and mouth. But the perforated Hundun suddenly died from this.

Ancient Chinese thinkers used the concepts of "Yin" and "Yang" to express many opposite and successive phenomena. An important point in the first philosophical constructions of Ancient China was the recognition of the feedback between these concepts and human life, social phenomena. It was believed that if people act in accordance with the natural laws reflected by these concepts, then peace and order reign in society and in individuals, but if there is no such consent, then the country and everything in it comes into confusion. And vice versa - troubles in society interfere with the natural manifestations of Yin and Yang, for normal self-realization. These cosmogonic ideas were the basis of the religious and philosophical worldview of the ancient Chinese and were set forth in the ancient Chinese text "I-Ching" ("Book of Changes").

2. Taoism –

The oldest philosophical doctrine of China, which tries to explain the foundations of the construction and existence of the surrounding world and find the path that man, nature and space should follow. The founder of Taoism is considered Lao Tzu(Old Teacher), who lived in the VI - V centuries. BC. The main source is a philosophical treatise "Daodejing".

Basic concepts:

§ "Tao"- has two meanings: firstly, it is the path along which man and nature, the universal world law that ensures the existence of the world, must go in their development; secondly, it is the substance from which the whole world originated, the beginning, which was an energetically capacious void;

§ "De"- grace coming from above; energy, thanks to which the original "Tao" was transformed into the surrounding world.

In the world there is a single and common path (Tao) for all things, which no one can change. The highest duty and destiny of a person is to follow the Tao. A person is not able to influence the world order, his destiny is peace and humility. The goal of Lao Tzu's teaching was self-deepening, achieving spiritual purification, mastery of the body. According to the theory of Taoism, a person should not interfere with the natural course of events. The basic tenet of Taoism is the theory of inaction.

3. Confucianism –

The oldest philosophical school, which considers a person, first of all, as a participant in social life. The founder of Confucianism is Confucius (Kung Fu Tzu) who lived in 551-479. BC, the main source of teaching is the work Lun Yu ("Conversations and Judgments")

Features of Confucianism:

§ The main issues addressed by Confucianism are how to manage people and how to behave in society.

§ Representatives of this philosophical school advocate the soft management of society. As an example of such management, the power of the father over the sons is given, and as the main condition - the relationship of the subordinates to the bosses as sons to the father, and the boss to the subordinates - as the father to the sons.

§ Confucian The "golden rule of morality" says: do not do to others what you do not want yourself.

§ The teachings of Confucius played a big role in unifying Chinese society. It remains relevant at the present time, after 2500 years since the life and work of the author.

The main principles of Confucianism:

§ principle "jen" , that is, humanity and philanthropy;

§ principle "whether", that is, reverence and ritual;

§ principle "Jun Tzu" that is, the image of a noble man. All people are capable of being highly moral, but this is primarily the lot of the wise, engaged in mental activity;

§ principle "wen", that is, education, enlightenment, spirituality, combined with a love of learning;

§ principle "di", that is, obedience to elders in position and age;

§ principle "zhong" , that is, devotion to the sovereign, the moral authority of the government.

The problem of leaders and subordinates in Confucianism:

Qualities a leader should have:

§ obey the emperor and follow Confucian principles;

§ manage on the basis of virtue (“badao”);

§ have the necessary knowledge;

§ faithfully serve the country, be a patriot;

§ have great ambitions, set high goals;

§ be noble;

§ do only good for the state and others;

§ take care of the personal well-being of subordinates and the country as a whole

Qualities that a subordinate should possess:

§ be loyal to the leader;

§ show diligence in work;

§ Continuous learning and self-improvement

The ideas of Confucius had a significant impact on the development of not only the philosophical, but also the ethical and political thought of China, as well as Japan, Korea and other Far Eastern countries.

And Buddhism, which came from India, constitutes the so-called triad of teachings (san jiao), which formed the basis of the spiritual culture of China for thousands of years.

The religious and philosophical teaching of Taoism was formed in China more than 2000 years ago. The founder of Taoism is considered to be the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, who in the 6th c. BC. wrote the book "Tao Te Ching", outlining in it the basic principles of Tao.

Later, its development was continued by the thinker Zhuangzi (369-286 BC), it was he who in the 4th century. BC. recounted his transformational experience in a dream where he dreamed that he was a beautiful butterfly, but after waking up wondered: " Who am I? Butterfly who dreams that she is Zhuang Tzu or Zhuang Tzu who dreams of a butterfly?"

Founders of Taoism

The chief teacher of Taoism is Laozi, the Old Child, who bore the name of Li Er. He was born from himself, from himself he unfolded this whole huge and colorful world, and he himself appeared to the world seventy-two times. But he is also a man who lived a long and inconspicuous life. The legend portrays him as the custodian of the royal archives, an older contemporary of Confucius. (This means that Laozi lived in the 6th century BC.) It is said that Laozi met the future founder of Confucianism, but was cool about Confucius's belief in the effectiveness of moral preaching, which is probably quite natural for a connoisseur human history. Having completely lost faith in people, he mounted a buffalo and went somewhere to the West, but never returned. And in parting, at the request of the head of the frontier outpost through which he left China, Lao Tzu left to posterity a work "of five thousand words." This work, commonly referred to as the "Treatise on the Way and Potency" (Tao Te Ching), became the main canon of Taoism.

Next to Lao Tzu, among the prophets of Tao, is the philosopher Zhuang Zhou, aka Chuang Tzu, who was undoubtedly a real historical figure and, moreover, one of the most charming thinkers of ancient China. Zhuangzi's lifetime falls on the last decades of the 4th century BC. to i. e. - the heyday of free thought and sharp rivalry between different philosophical schools. Chuang Tzu was a great erudite, but he preferred to stay away from the self-satisfied arguing scholars who labored at the courts of kings and appanage lords. For many years he held the modest position of overseer of a plantation of lacquer trees, and then retired and lived out the rest of his days in his native village. Before his death, he asked his students not to burden themselves with the funeral of a teacher, but to throw his body in an open field, for the whole world would become his grave. belittled his true dignity.After all, the true Taoist, in the words of Lao Tzu, "comes out to the light, mingling with the dust. "In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, he keeps the secret of eternity; in the polyphony of the Earth comprehends the silence of Heaven.

Tao is the absolute truth or way.

It is the basis of all life, it governs nature, and it is a way of life. Taoists do not believe in extremes, they focus their attention on the interconnection of all things. There is no good or evil, negative or positive.

This point of view is illustrated by the Yin-Yang symbol. Black - Yin, white - Yang. Yin is associated with weakness and passivity, Yang with strength and activity. However, there is Yang in Yin and vice versa. All nature balances between two energies.

Tao (Way) is inherent in the Good Power Te ("virtue"). Te is one of the basic concepts of Taoism. , the manifestation of Tao in everything. Te is defined as having the virtue of the Way-Tao. Te was also sometimes identified with karma.

The highest achievement of the Taoists is the achievement of immortality through breathing, meditation, helping others and using elixirs. Taoism sees man as a microcosm, which is an eternal substance.

Taoism in China has been influencing culture for over 2000 years. His practice was the origin of such martial arts as Tai Chi and Qigong. Taoist philosophy and religion is reflected in all Asian cultures, especially in Vietnam, Japan and Korea.

Taoism has had a significant impact on the arts, literature and many other areas of cultural and scientific development in China. Until now, it permeates all areas of the life of the Chinese people. The once mystical and inaccessible teaching rose to the level of everyday consciousness.

For example, Chinese medicine - breathing exercises, acupuncture (acupuncture) and others directions of traditional medicine - appeared thanks to the principles and practices of Taoism . There are still many followers of the Tao in China, as well as in Vietnam, Taiwan, but it is impossible to establish the exact number, because. a Chinese who participates in Taoist rites may be a faithful Buddhist.

In Chinese society, the Taoists acted as experts in all kinds of magic, divination, medicine and medicine, and most importantly - mediators between people and spirits. They knew how to drive away demons and call on good deities, send the souls of the dead to the afterlife, and perform many other rituals so necessary for ordinary people. Taoism is sometimes called the national religion of China, but this definition is not entirely correct. Firstly, Taoism spread among some other peoples living in the neighborhood with the Chinese. Secondly, the Taoists not only did not preach their religion in society, but, on the contrary, carefully concealed their secrets from the uninitiated and did not even allow the laity to attend the most important prayers.

Ideology of Taoism

The most important position of Taoism is the concept of "Tao". In addition, the concept of "wuwei" (non-action) is an important concept.

The cornerstone of Taoism is the doctrine of immortality. The teaching is based on mythological images and does not coincide with the concepts of Laozi and Zhuangzi. In contrast to the views of the founders of Taoism, who considered death as a natural manifestation of the natural cycle of changes, already in the Qin (221 - 207 BC) and Han (206 - 220 AD) epochs, Taoism began to preach ideas of immortality.

In accordance with the idea of ​​immortality, one of the main occupations of the servants of the Taoist cult was medicine, alchemy and magic. Taoist treatises contain detailed descriptions of how to make the elixir of immortality. It is believed that talismans, amulets, magical texts contribute to the achievement of immortality.

In Taoism, special attention is paid to the administration of the main rites of the life cycle: birth, wedding, funeral.

An important moment of Taoism is the departure of fasts: tutanzhai and huangluzhai, as well as the celebration of the traditional New Year according to the lunar calendar. The holiday "He qi" is secretly celebrated, during which the Taoists consider themselves completely free from all sexual prohibitions and restrictions.

Tao (道) - literally the way, in Taoism - being and changing the Universe in the most general sense;

Te (德) is literally virtue or morality. Virtue given from above (from Tao). It does not have the characteristics of a physical, forceful impact, in contrast to the Greek "arete";

Wu-wei (無為) - literally non-action - understanding when to act and when to do nothing.

Taoism remains a living religion today. In 1957, the All-China Association of Followers of Taoism (Zhongguo Dao jiao xiehui) was established in the People's Republic of China. Closed during the "cultural revolution", the Association resumed its work in 1980. Its chairman is one of the oldest and most authoritative Taoist monks, Li Yuhang. The center of the Association is Baiyunguan in Beijing, besides it there are numerous other temples and monasteries of this school in the country. The association publishes its own magazine, conducts religious, preaching and scientific work. In particular, she is planning to publish a study on the history of Taoism by Taoist scholars. Taoism has had a significant impact on all aspects of the spiritual culture of China, and without knowing it, it is impossible to truly understand the literature, art, or traditional science of China.

Sources:

1. Loboda E. B. Taoism: history of origin and development. - M.: Sattva, 2003. -539 p.

2. Wen Jian, Gorobets L. A.Taoism in modern China. SPb., 2005.- 160 p.

3. Maslov A. A. Taoist symbols // China: bells in the dust. The wanderings of the magician and the intellectual. - M .: Aleteyya, 2003, p. 70-82.

4. O. Klyuchareva. Secrets of the Tao Universe., Nauka-Press, 2006. - 376 p.

5. Yang Hing-shun. Ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu and his teachings. - M.-L.: AN SSSR, 1950. - 438 p.

In the depths of ancient Chinese civilization, many things were born not only from the material world (gunpowder, paper, etc.), but also categories of the world of ideas, philosophical postulates and religious dogmas.

Five centuries before our era, along with Confucianism and Chan Buddhism, such a trend of human thought as Taoism took shape. The main ideas summarized in his canonical text - "Tao Te Ching" - periodically become relevant for large groups of people at different times, in different countries.

The origins of the doctrine

The doctrine of Tao is one of the most enigmatic and mysterious phenomena in history. The speeches of Taoist sages are filled with omissions, allegory, ambiguity, myths and legends surround the history of the emergence of Taoism.

The Chinese consider Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor, to be their first ancestor, the progenitor who laid the foundation for many powerful dynasties. Supposedly, the historical facts of his life have also been preserved, his tomb also exists, but it contains only a part of the robe, and Huang Di himself gained immortality. Among all that the Yellow Emperor gave to the Chinese, and the ideas of the philosophy of Taoism.

Another mythical character in Chinese history, Lao Tzu, also stood at the origins of the teaching. It is he who is considered to be the author of the "Tao Te Ching" - that poetic treatise, where Taoism acquired the basic ideas and concepts. The description of the earthly existence of Lao Tzu is fantastic and looks like a collection of legends and tales.

Biography of the deity

The life story of another great Teacher - Confucius - is known literally over the years. Lao Tzu is considered to be his elder contemporary, there are data from ancient historians about their personal meeting in 517 BC. Being half a century older than Confucius, the sage reproached him for excessive social activity, which he showed by preaching Taoism, the main ideas, the philosophy of which denies interference in public life. In other events, the biography of this ancient Chinese sage loses reality.

His mother conceived him by swallowing a stone and carried him for 80 years, giving birth in 604 BC. wise old man. The name Lao Tzu is ambiguous, it also means "Old Baby". His wisdom took shape over the years of service in the imperial book depository. Disappointment in the surrounding life led the elder to hermitage. He changed names to avoid the attention of others. He was called Li Er, Lao Dan, Lao Lai Tzu, and finally decided to leave China, "going to the West."

main book

Prior to this, Lao Tzu did not express his views in writing. The appearance of the "Tao Te Jin" is explained by the fact that the sage wanted to contribute to the greater dissemination of his theories. He wanted to create an alternative to the increasingly popular Confucianism. The founder of Taoism did not agree with the introversion inherent in the teachings of Confucius, directed from the outside. Lao Tzu denied the supremacy of power, the significance of rituals and traditions in human life. This could not but cause a negative attitude on the part of the authorities.

There are amazing versions about the further fate of the great old man. According to one of them, he retired to Tibet, where he became the founder of Lamaism, according to another, he went to India. There he miraculously contributed to the birth of Gautama, or even himself was Shakyamuni Buddha. There are even legends about Lao Tzu's travels to those places where Russia later appeared.

The cornerstone concept is Tao

The concept of Tao is often vague and indefinable even for those who profess Taoism. The main ideas are briefly described by Lao Tzu's formula: "Tao generates one, one generates two, two generates three, and three generates all ten thousand things."

That is, Tao is the beginning of beginnings, an absolute community that is in perpetual motion, like water that fills everything in this world. This is the way, the road, the fate, the law. Everything in man and in the entire cosmos is a product of Tao, it cannot exist outside of it and without it.

There are two Tao. One - Tao without a name - has a visual image of a dragon or snake devouring its own tail. This symbol, popular in many cultures, means an unstoppable and eternal cycle, movement along the spiral of time. To realize its meaning and purpose is not given to a person. His destiny - Tao with a name - like a tiny scale in the skin of a dragon - the essence of his ultimate existence on earth. And the main thing for every individual is to merge with the Tao, to become a part of the eternal universal movement.

Interrelation of concepts

Things and phenomena that are part of the Tao carry the soft, passive, dark, feminine power of Yin, contain the active, hard, bright, masculine power of Yang, and are saturated with Qi energy. Qi, Yin, Yang, the interaction of these forces, the balance of these principles determines the course of all life processes. They are also fundamental concepts of Taoism.

On the regulation of the interaction of Yin and Yang, the saturation of the cosmic, the practices of oriental medicine, qigong gymnastics are based.

These interactions underlie the doctrine of the organization of the human environment - Feng Shui. Some schools of Taoism do not recognize this teaching because of the postulate about the impossibility of applying general rules for different parts of space and the special individuality of each person, the uniqueness of his Path.

Attitude to power and the principle of "non-action" Wu-wei

In the question of attitude to power and the state, a special difference is indicated between such concepts as Confucianism and Taoism. The main ideas can be summarized briefly in the form of a hierarchy of rulers, based on the assessment of their activities according to the Taoist scale of values.

The best of the rulers is the one about whom they know that he is - and nothing more. The second is the one who is loved and admired. Third, they are afraid. The worst is the one who is despised. If everything is good in the country, you may not know who is at the helm. This version is extremely inconvenient for the authorities.

These conclusions follow from another important dogma of Taoism - the principle of "non-action" (in Chinese - "Wu-wei"). Some scientists think another translation is more correct - "non-intervention". It evokes less association with doing nothing, with laziness, which are a sin in China too. But the essence is as follows: the goal of both the person and the emperor is not to interfere with their actions to merge with the higher essence - Tao, which itself determines the entire course of events.

Long story

This philosophy has existed for twenty-five centuries. It is very difficult to summarize the main ideas and concepts describing Taoism.

There are thousands of interpretations and explanations of some variants of the translation of the Tao Te Ching, and millions of people who look at this world through the eyes of Taoist sages.