道曆 4723 · 2026-10-02

English

道教知識 · Learning

Learn About Taoism

Taoism (道教) is the native religion of China, with roots in ancient Chinese thought and a continuous history of more than eighteen hundred years as an organized religion. These short guides are written for newcomers.

What is Taoism?

The word "Taoism" covers two things that are closely related. One is the philosophy found in early texts such as the Daodejing and the Zhuangzi. The other is the religion: its priests and temples, its scriptures and rituals, its methods of self-cultivation and its many deities. Our Society belongs to the religious tradition, which honours Laozi and the classics as its foundation.

Organized Taoism is usually dated to the second century CE, when Zhang Daoling founded the Way of the Celestial Masters (天師道), later known as Zhengyi (正一). Other great traditions followed, among them Shangqing (上清), Lingbao (靈寶) and, from the twelfth century, Quanzhen (全真). Today Taoism is practised in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and around the world.

Key terms

  • Dao (道) — the Way; the source and order of all things.
  • De (德) — Virtue; the power of the Dao within each being.
  • Wuwei (無為) — non-action; acting without force or selfish striving.
  • Ziran (自然) — what is so of itself; spontaneity, naturalness.
  • Qi (氣) — vital breath or energy that animates the body and the universe.
  • Jing, Qi, Shen (精氣神) — essence, qi and spirit, the three treasures of the body.
  • Yin and Yang (陰陽) — the complementary forces whose alternation produces all change.
  • The Three Pure Ones (三清) — the highest deities of Taoism: the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (元始天尊), the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure (靈寶天尊), and the Celestial Worthy of the Dao and its Virtue (道德天尊), who is Laozi deified as Taishang Laojun (太上老君).
  • Daoshi (道士) — a Taoist priest.
  • Lu (籙) — an ordination register, conferred on priests in the Zhengyi and related traditions.
  • Neidan (內丹) — inner alchemy; the refinement of essence, qi and spirit within the body.

The Taoist calendar

Taoists count years from the legendary Yellow Emperor. The Taoist year (道曆) is the Western year plus 2697, so 2026 CE is the Taoist year 4723. Festivals follow the Chinese lunar calendar, so their Western dates change every year.

Some of the major festivals:

  • Upper Primordial Festival (上元節), 15th day of the 1st lunar month — birthday of the Heavenly Official who grants blessings.
  • Birthday of Taishang Laojun (老君聖誕), 15th day of the 2nd lunar month.
  • Middle Primordial Festival (中元節), 15th day of the 7th lunar month — the Earthly Official who pardons sins; rites for the departed.
  • Lower Primordial Festival (下元節), 15th day of the 10th lunar month — the Water Official who removes misfortune.
  • Birthday of the Jade Emperor (玉皇聖誕), 9th day of the 1st lunar month.

Many temples also hold rites on the 1st and 15th day of each lunar month.

Daily practice for beginners

You do not need special equipment or initiation to begin.

  1. Quiet sitting. Sit upright and still for ten to twenty minutes. Let the breath become slow and even. When thoughts arise, do not chase them; return to the breath.
  2. Recitation. Read a short scripture aloud each day, such as the Scripture of Clarity and Stillness. Read slowly and with attention.
  3. Reflection. In the evening, review your words and actions of the day. Note what was good and what you would change.
  4. Precepts. Keep the five basic precepts as well as you can.
  5. Simplicity. Eat moderately, rest well, and reduce what you do not need.

If you have a health condition, consult a qualified medical professional. Taoist practice supports health but does not replace medical care.

Visiting a Taoist temple

  • Dress modestly and speak quietly.
  • Enter through the side doors of the main gate; the central door is reserved. Step over, never on, the threshold.
  • Incense is usually offered in three sticks, held with both hands, raised to the forehead, and placed with the left hand.
  • Do not point at the images of the deities, and ask before taking photographs.
  • Greet a priest with hands joined in the Taoist salute (抱拳, the left hand covering the right fist) and the words "Fu sheng wu liang tian zun" (福生無量天尊), "blessings without measure."

Further reading

Our scripture library holds the Daodejing and four other classics in Chinese and English. To go deeper, ask a teacher; see Discipleship.