Taoism or Daoism refers to a set of Chinese traditions and religions which emphasize living in harmony with the Dao. The Dao is generally defined as the source of everything and the ultimate principle underlying reality. The Daodejing and the Zhuangzi are widely considered key Daoist texts.
Taiping,Tai-p’ing,or Tai Ping most often refers to:
The Yellow Turban Rebellion,alternatively translated as the Yellow Scarves Rebellion,was a peasant revolt in China against the Eastern Han dynasty. The uprising broke out in c.March 184 CE during the reign of Emperor Ling. Although the main rebellion was suppressed by 185 CE,it took 21 years for full suppression of resistant areas and emerging rebellions by 205 CE. The rebellion,which got its name from the color of the rebel headwear,marked an important point in the history of Taoism due to the rebels' association with secret Taoist societies. The revolt was also used as the opening event in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Daozang,meaning 'Taoist Canon',consists of around 1,400 texts that were collected c. 400 CE. They were collected by Taoist monks of the period in an attempt to bring together all of the teachings of Taoism,including all the commentaries and expositions of the various masters from the original teachings found in the Daodejing and Zhuangzi. These three divisions were based on the main focus of Taoism in Southern China during the time it was made,namely;meditation,ritual,and exorcism.
The Taiping Guangji,sometimes translated as the Extensive Records of the Taiping Era,or Extensive Records of the Taiping Xinguo Period,is a collection of stories compiled in the early Song dynasty. The work was completed in 978,and printing blocks were cut,but it was prevented from publication on the grounds that it contained only xiaoshuo and thus "was of no use to young students." It survived in manuscript until it was published in the Ming dynasty. It is considered one of the Four Great Books of Song (宋四大書). The title refers to the Taiping Xinguo era,the first years of the reign of Emperor Taizong of Song.
The Shangqing School (Chinese:上清),also known as Supreme Clarity or Highest Clarity is a Daoist movement that began during the aristocracy of the Western Jin dynasty. Shangqing can be translated as either 'Supreme Clarity' or 'Highest Clarity.' The first leader of the school was a woman,Wei Huacun (251-334). According to her Shangqing hagiographers,her devotion to Daoist cultivation so impressed a number of immortals that she received revelations from them 31 volumes of Daoist scriptures which would become the foundation of Shangqing Daoism. Later,Tao Hongjing,a man,(456－536) structured the theory and practice and compiled the canon. He greatly contributed to the development of the school that took place near the end of the 5th century. The mountain near Nanjing where Tao Hongjing had his retreat,Maoshan,today remains the principal seat of the school.
The history ofTaoism stretches throughout Chinese history. Originating in prehistoric China,it has exerted a powerful influence over Chinese culture throughout the ages. Taoism evolved in response to changing times,with its doctrine and associated practices being revised and refined. The acceptance of Taoism by the ruling class has waxed and waned,alternately enjoying periods of favor and rejection. Most recently,Taoism has emerged from a period of suppression and is undergoing a revival in China.
The Huangdi Yinfujing,or Yinfujing,is a circa 8th century CE Daoist scripture associated with Chinese astrology and Neidan-style Internal alchemy. In addition,Huangdi Yinfujing is also the name of a Chinese Fengshui text on military strategy.
The Qingjing Jing is an anonymous Tang Dynasty Taoist classic that combines philosophical themes from the Tao Te Ching with the logical presentation of Buddhist texts and a literary form reminiscent of the Heart Sutra. It instructs students of the Tao to practice the elimination of desire in order to cultivate spiritual purity and stillness.
Daode Tianzun,also known as Taishang Laojun is a high Taoist god. He is the Taiqing which is one of the Three Pure Ones,the highest divinities of Taoism.
Huang–Lao or Huanglao was the most influential Chinese school of thought in the early 2nd-century BCE Han dynasty,having its origins in a broader political-philosophical drive looking for solutions to strengthen the feudal order as depicted in Zhou propaganda. Not systematically explained by historiographer Sima Qian,it is generally interpreted as a school of syncretism,developing into a major religion,the beginnings of religious Taoism.
The Yunji qiqian is a anthology of the (1016) Taoist Canon,which the Taoist scholar-official Zhang Junfang compiled for Emperor Zhenzong of Song. The Yunji qiqian records many early Taoist texts that have been lost since the 11th century,and is an important resource for understanding medieval Taoism.
Taoist meditation,also spelled Daoist,refers to the traditional meditative practices associated with the Chinese philosophy and religion of Taoism,including concentration,mindfulness,contemplation,and visualization. The earliest Chinese references to meditation date from the Warring States period.
Taoism is a East Asian religion founded in ancient China with many schools or denominations,of which none occupies a position of orthodoxy and co-existed peacefully. Taoist branches usually build their identity around a set of scriptures,that are manuals of ritual practices. Scriptures are considered "breathwork",that is "configurations of energy" (qi),embodiments of "celestial patterns" (tianwen),or "revelations of structures" (li).
Tao Hongjing (456–536),courtesy name Tongming,was a Chinese alchemist,astronomer,calligrapher,military general,musician,physician,and pharmacologist,and writer during the Northern and Southern dynasties (420–589). A polymathic individual of many talents,he was best known as a founder of the Shangqing "Highest Clarity" School of Taoism and the compiler-editor of the basic Shangqing scriptures.
The Way of the Taiping,also known as the Way of the Great Peace,was a Chinese Taoist movement founded by Zhang Jue during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Its adherents all around China participated in the Yellow Turban Rebellion of 184,with the rebellion being suppressed within the same year by the Eastern Han government. The religious movement was greatly reduced and died soon afterwards. The Way of the Taiping was one of the two largest movements within early Taoism,with the other being the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice. During the reign of Emperor Ling of Han,the movement was recorded to have been popular in eight Provinces:Qing Province,Xu Province,You Province,Ji Province,Jing Province,Yang Province,Yan Province,and Yu Province.。
Taoist philosophy also known as Taology refers to the various philosophical currents of Taoism,a tradition of Chinese origin which emphasizes living in harmony with the Dào. The Dào is a mysterious and deep principle that is the source,pattern and substance of the entire universe.
Líshān Lǎomǔ is the goddess of Mount Li in Chinese religion. She is a popular female immortal in the Taoist pantheon,and a high-ranking one according to some late sources. Her origins are said to derive from NüWa,the legendary creator and mother goddess.
Yin Changsheng was a famous Daoist xian from Xinye who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty. After serving more than ten years as a disciple of the transcendent Maming Sheng he received the secret Taiqing scriptures on Waidan. Several extant texts are ascribed to Yin Changsheng,such as the Jinbi wu xianglei can tong qi.
