Daoism

Spirits

Active in every aspect of life in Indigenous Chinese religions.

Tian

Envisioned as an impersonal divine force that controls events on earth and embodies a cosmic moral principle.

Veneration of ancestors

The belief that ancestors become spirits at death and must be placated for a positive influence.

Patterns in nature

Understanding natural patterns to work with nature rather than against it for survival.

Yin and Yang

The concept of dynamic balance where everything has its opposite.

Divination

A system of methods used to gain knowledge about the future.

Laozi

Said to be the founder of Daoism, often referred to as the old master or old child.

Daodejing

The central scripture of Daoism, attributed to Laozi, and characterized by its repetitive style and lack of clarity. Has 4 elements:
- repetitive
- lack of clarity
- no clear order
- compilation

Dao

The most referenced concept in Daoism, beyond description, and the origin of things that can be experienced.

Way of the Heavenly Masters

A Daoist organization that operates on a hereditary model and believes in Qi aka Tianshi

Way of Complete Perfection

A Daoist organization incorporating elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, featuring monasteries and celibate monks. aka Quanshen

Wu Wei

The ideal of effortlessness, promoting a way of living without action and strain.

Simplicity

The practice of eliminating unnecessary things and appreciating the ordinary.

Longevity

Practices believed to unite a person with the Dao and help them feel the flow of nature.

Relativity

Attaining a perspective that goes beyond the obvious opposites.

Gentleness

The pursuit of a non-violent way of living and promoting peace.

Three Purities - Sanjing

The three most revered deities in Daoism: Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning - the Dao
Heavenly Worthy of Numinous Treasure - principal disseminator of teachings

Celestial Worthy of the Way and its Power. - Lord Laozi