Taoism (sometimes written as Daoism) is the English name for (a) the Chinese folk religion; (b) a family of organized Chinese religious movements such as the Zhengyi ("Orthodox One") or Quanzhen ("Complete Reality") sects, which collectively trace back to Zhang Daoling in the late Han dynasty; and/or (c) academic philosophies or belles lettres based on the texts Daodejing (a ...

Including:

Taoism - History
Taoism - Warring States Period 403-222 BCE Taoism - Han Dynasty 206 BCE - 220 Taoism - Three Kingdoms Period 220-265 Taoism - Six Dynasties 316-589 Taoism - Tang Dynasty 618-907 Taoism - Song Dynasty 960-1279 Taoism - Yuan Dynasty 1279-1367 Taoism - Nationalist Period 1912-1949 Taoism - People's Republic of China 1949-present
Taoism - Adherents Taoism - Beliefs
Taoism - Religious Taoism Taoism - Philosophical Taoism
Taoism - Deities
Taoism - Religious Taoism Taoism - Philosophical Taoism
Taoism - Practices
Taoism - Religious Taoism Taoism - Philosophical Taoism
Taoism - Scriptures
Taoism - Religious Taoism Taoism - Philosophical Taoism
Taoism - Symbols Taoism - Relations With Other Religions and Philosophies

Read more here: » Taoism: Encyclopedia - Taoism

See also:

Taoism, Taoism - History, Taoism - Warring States Period 403-222 BCE, Taoism - Han Dynasty 206 BCE - 220 CE, Taoism - Three Kingdoms Period 220-265, Taoism - Six Dynasties 316-589, Taoism - Tang Dynasty 618-907, Taoism - Song Dynasty 960-1279, Taoism - Yuan Dynasty 1279-1367, Taoism - Nationalist Period 1912-1949, Taoism - People's Republic of China 1949-present, Taoism - Adherents, Taoism - Beliefs, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Deities, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Practices, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Scriptures, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Symbols, Taoism - Relations With Other Religions and Philosophies

Read more here: » Taoism: Encyclopedia II - Taoism - Practices

Depending on how it is defined, Taoism's origins may be traced to the prehistoric Chinese religion; to the composition of the Daodejing (third or fourth century BCE); or to the activity of Zhang Daoling (second century CE). Alternatively, one could argue that "Taoism" as a religious identity only arose later, by way of contrast with the newly-arrived religion of Buddhism, or with the fourth-century codification of the Shangching and Lingbao texts. Taoism - Warring ...

See also:

Taoism, Taoism - History, Taoism - Warring States Period 403-222 BCE, Taoism - Han Dynasty 206 BCE - 220 CE, Taoism - Three Kingdoms Period 220-265, Taoism - Six Dynasties 316-589, Taoism - Tang Dynasty 618-907, Taoism - Song Dynasty 960-1279, Taoism - Yuan Dynasty 1279-1367, Taoism - Nationalist Period 1912-1949, Taoism - People's Republic of China 1949-present, Taoism - Adherents, Taoism - Beliefs, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Deities, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Practices, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Scriptures, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Symbols, Taoism - Relations With Other Religions and Philosophies

Read more here: » Taoism: Encyclopedia II - Taoism - History

Tai Chi Chuan was derived from Taoism. The most important practice of Taoism was concerned with tranquility of mind and improvement of temperament. At the end of the Sung Dynasty a Taoist by the name of Cheung San Fung, in order to find one suitable martial art for the Taoist, often observed the habits of long- lived animals such as turtles and cranes. After many years of study, he, at last, created Tai Chi Chuan.

Read more here: » Tai Chi Chuan: The History Application of Tai

The term Shambhala Buddhism has come into use as an umbrella term referring to the teachings of Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism as propagated by the Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, mixed with the various Shambhalian teachings and practices revealed by the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche (the 11th Trungpa Tulku). The present head of the lineage is Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Trungpa Rinpoche's eldest son and Shambhala heir. Shambhala Buddhism - Distinguishing Characteristics of Shambhala Budd ...

Including:

Shambhala Buddhism - Distinguishing Characteristics of Shambhala Buddhism
Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Training Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Terma Shambhala Buddhism - The Kalachakra the Rigden Kings and Gesar of Ling Shambhala Buddhism - Zen and Japanese arts Shambhala Buddhism - Elements of Bön Taoism Confucianism and Shinto Shambhala Buddhism - Dorje Kasung Shambhala Buddhism - Maitri and Mudra Shambhala Buddhism - Other Practices
Shambhala Buddhism - History of Shambhala Buddhism Shambhala Buddhism - The Shambhala Buddhist community today
Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala International Shambhala Buddhism - Spiritual Teachers Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Land Centers Shambhala Buddhism - Larger Shambhala Mandala
Shambhala Buddhism - Related Publications

Read more here: » Shambhala Buddhism: Encyclopedia - Shambhala Buddhism

Acupuncture (from Lat. acus, "needle" (noun), and pungere, "prick" (verb) or in Standard Mandarin, zhēn jǐu (針灸), is one of the main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (others being herbal medicine and tui na). It is a therapeutic technique from that framework intended to restore health and well-being. The term acupuncture is often used by Westerners to refer to Chinese medicine generally. The technique involves the insertion of needles into "acupuncture points" on the body by trained practitioners. Th ...

Including:

Acupuncture - Theory Acupuncture - An example of acupuncture practice Acupuncture - Benefits proven and purported Acupuncture - Potential risks Acupuncture - Controversy as to effectiveness Acupuncture - Bibliography

Read more here: » Acupuncture: Encyclopedia - Acupuncture

Thelema is the English transliteration of the Ancient Greek noun θέλημα will, from the verb ἐθέλω to will, wish, purpose. Thelema - Aleister Crowley's Thelema. Thelema is the name of a philosophical/religious system established in 1904 through Aleister Crowley and his wife, Rose Edith Kelly, with the writing of Liber AL vel Legis, or The Book of the Law. Crowley claimed to have taken this short work of about 5,000 words, comparable in length to the Tao Te Ching, as direct au ...

Including:

Thelema - Aleister Crowley's Thelema Thelema - Doctrines of Thelema Thelema - Antecedents of Thelema Thelema - Critical Study and Diverse Practice Thelema - Thelema and other systems of thought Thelema - Thelemic organizations

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Life in the People's Republic of China A wide variety of religions have been practiced in China since the beginning of its history. Temples of many different religions dot the landscape of China, including Taoism, Buddhism, and Chinese folk religion. The study of religion in China is complicated by several issues. Because many Chinese belief systems have concepts of a sacred and sometimes spiritual world yet do not invoke a concept of God, classifying a Chinese belief system as either a religion or a philosophy can ...

Including:

Religion in China - Buddhism Religion in China - Taoism Religion in China - Islam Religion in China - Christianity Religion in China - Judaism Religion in China - Recent sects
Religion in China - Falun Gong Religion in China - Way of Former Heaven
Religion in China - Mainland China Religion in China - External link

Read more here: » Religion in China: Encyclopedia - Religion in China

According to the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians, the majority of the world's vegetarians follow the practice for religious reasons. Many religions, including Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, and especially Jainism, teach that ideally life should always be valued and not willfully destroyed for unnecessary human gratification. Vegetarianism and religion - Hinduism. Hindus believe that food shapes the personality, mood and mind. They believe that meat promotes aggressiveness and a mental state of turmoil kn ...

Including:

Vegetarianism and religion - Hinduism Vegetarianism and religion - Buddhism Vegetarianism and religion - Abrahamic religions
Vegetarianism and religion - Judaism Vegetarianism and religion - Christianity Vegetarianism and religion - Islam
Vegetarianism and religion - Jainism Vegetarianism and religion - Taoism Vegetarianism and religion - Bahá'í Faith Vegetarianism and religion - Sikhism Vegetarianism and religion - Rastafari Vegetarianism and religion - Ayyavazhi

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Wu wei (Traditional Chinese characters: 無為 Simplified Chinese characters: 无为) is an important tenet of Taoism that involves knowing when to act and when not to act. Wu may be translated as not have; Wei (2nd tone) may be translated as do, act, serve as, govern. The literal meaning of Wu Wei is "without action" and is often included in the paradox wei wu wei : "action without action." The practice of wu wei and the efficacy of wei wu wei are fundamental tenets in Chinese tho ...

Including:

Wu wei - Origins Wu wei - Philosophy Wu wei - Practice Wu wei - The ultimate: harmony with the Tao

Read more here: » Wu wei: Encyclopedia - Wu wei

Feng Shui or fengshui (Simplified: 风水; Traditional: 風水; Hanyu Pinyin: fēngshuǐ; IPA: /fɤŋ ʂueɪ/ ( listen) is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment that has its origins from Taoism. The practice is est ...

Including:

Feng Shui - Overview Feng Shui - Archaeology Feng Shui - Feng Shui in More Recent Times Feng Shui - Postmodernism Feng Shui - Combination of Statistics and Scientific Feng Shui - Miscellaneous Feng Shui - Other usages

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Chinese folk religion comprises the religion practiced in much of China for thousands of years which included ancestor worship and drew heavily upon concepts and beings within Chinese mythology. It is a constituent part of Chinese traditional religion. Folk religions have been practiced alongside Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism by Chinese people throughout the world for thousands of years. Worship, legends, festivals and various devotions associated with different folk gods and goddesses form an important part of Chinese cul ...

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There are a number of shamanistic practices that are developed in Korea, where the role of a shaman is most frequently taken by women. They have deep roots and have inter-influenced Buddhism and Taoism. This meeting is mediated by a shaman. In contemporary Korean, a shaman is known as a mudang. Even though belief in Korean shamanism is not as widespread as it once was, the practices are kept alive. In the past such shamanistic rites have included as agricultural rites, such as prayers for abundant harvest. With a shift a ...

Including:

Korean Shamanism - Gut
Korean Shamanism - Naerim-gut Korean Shamanism - Dodang-gut Korean Shamanism - Ssitgim-gut
Korean Shamanism - Regional Shaman Rites

Read more here: » Korean Shamanism: Encyclopedia - Korean Shamanism

Chán is a major school of Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhism. In Japan and the west, the school is known as Zen. Stories of the origins of Chan (Chinese 禪) are varied. It is often said to be a Chinese adaptation of Indian dhyana meditation practices, influenced by indigenous Chinese Taoism. Chan - History. According to tradition, the school was founded by the semi-legendary Indian or Persian monk Bodhidharma who, according to the Anthology of the Patriarchal Hall (952 CE), arrived in China ...

Including:

Chan - History

Read more here: » Chan: Encyclopedia - Chan

Yaoguai (妖怪 pinyin yāo guaì) or yaomo (妖魔 yāo mó) or yaojing (妖精 yāo jīng) is a Chinese term that generally means "demon". Yaoguai are mostly malevolent animal spirits that have acquired magical powers through the practice of Taoism. The evil ones are usually referred to as guai (literally, "freak") or mo (literally, "demon") in Chinese. Their greatest goal is achieving immortality and thus deification. In Journey to the West, the demons seek this mostly by the abduction and consumpt ...

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Wong Tai Sin (黃大仙; Pinyin: Huáng Dàxian), literally translates to the Great Immortal Wong. According to Self-Descriptions of Chisongzi (《赤松子自述》) located in Wong Tai Sin Temple, in Hong Kong, Wong Tai Sin was born Wong Cho Ping (黃初平 Huang Chuping) in 338 in today's Lanxi City, Jinhua County (華縣蘭溪市), Zhejiang Province, China. He started practicing Taoism at fifteen. Forty years later, he was able to transform stones into sheep. He is also known as Immortal Chisong (赤松仙子) ...

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I-Kuan Tao, also Yi Guan Dao, or usually initialized as IKT (一貫道, translated as the Unity Sect) is a new religious movement that originated in twentieth-century China. At the same time it incorporates much older elements from Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism, and recognizes the validity of non-Chinese religious traditions such as Christianity and Islam as well. For this reason it is often classified as a syncretistic or syncretic sect, along with other similar religions in the Hsien Tien D ...

Including:

I-Kuan Tao - The Name I-Kuan Tao - Deities I-Kuan Tao - History
I-Kuan Tao - Official history I-Kuan Tao - The present
I-Kuan Tao - Practices I-Kuan Tao - The Three Treasures I-Kuan Tao - The Structure I-Kuan Tao - Literature

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Falun Gong (法輪功 — literally Practice of the Wheel of Law) is a controversial Chinese spiritual movement which was introduced in 1992 by Li Hongzhi. Central to Falun Gong are five sets of exercises (four standing, and one sitting) that involve meditation and are said to help in the purification of the mind and the body. Many teachings are similar to those in Buddhism and Taoism — though it adds a conservative morality and several New Age and apocalyptic beliefs. Also known as Falun Dafa, the practice ...

Including:

Falun Gong - Origins and Beliefs
Falun Gong - Beliefs Falun Gong - Purifying the Body Falun Gong - Morality
Falun Gong - Government Crackdown
Falun Gong - The Media War Falun Gong - The Tiananmen Square Self-Immolation Incident Falun Gong - Foreign Views on Falun Gong Falun Gong - 24 Hour Continuous Protests Falun Gong - Falun Gong Presence in Major Metropolitan Areas

Read more here: » Falun Gong: Encyclopedia - Falun Gong

These vary so much that it is difficult to venture any general comments. On one extreme there exist monks and nuns whose whole lives are ordered around meditation; on the other hand, one-minute meditations are not out of the question. Twenty or thirty minutes is probably a typical duration. Experienced meditators often find their sessions growing in length of their own accord. Observing the advice and instructions of one's spiritual teacher is generally held to be most beneficial. Many traditions stress regular practice. Accordingly, many meditators experience guilt or frustration upon failing to do so. Poss ...

See also:

Meditation, Meditation - Overview, Meditation - Types of meditation, Meditation - Buddhism, Meditation - Christianity, Meditation - Judaism, Meditation - Hinduism, Meditation - Sufism, Meditation - Sikhism, Meditation - Taoism, Meditation - Transcendental Meditation, Meditation - Meditation in context, Meditation - Physical postures, Meditation - Frequency and duration, Meditation - Purposes and effects of meditation, Meditation - Metta meditation: the practice of loving-kindness, Meditation - Health applications and clinical studies of meditation, Meditation - Meditation and the brain, Meditation - Meditation and EEG's, Meditation - Adverse effects, Meditation - Meditation and drugs

Read more here: » Meditation: Encyclopedia II - Meditation - Frequency and duration

The purposes for which people meditate vary almost as widely as practices. Meditation may serve simply as a means of relaxation from a busy daily routine; as a technique for cultivating mental discipline; or as a means of gaining insight into the nature of reality, or of communing with one's God. Many report improved concentration, awareness, self-discipline and equanimity through meditation. Many authorities avoid emphasizing the effects of meditation — sometimes out of modesty, sometimes for fear that the expectation of results mi ...

See also:

Meditation, Meditation - Overview, Meditation - Types of meditation, Meditation - Buddhism, Meditation - Christianity, Meditation - Judaism, Meditation - Hinduism, Meditation - Sufism, Meditation - Sikhism, Meditation - Taoism, Meditation - Transcendental Meditation, Meditation - Meditation in context, Meditation - Physical postures, Meditation - Frequency and duration, Meditation - Purposes and effects of meditation, Meditation - Metta meditation: the practice of loving-kindness, Meditation - Health applications and clinical studies of meditation, Meditation - Meditation and the brain, Meditation - Meditation and EEG's, Meditation - Adverse effects, Meditation - Meditation and drugs

Read more here: » Meditation: Encyclopedia II - Meditation - Purposes and effects of meditation