The Encyclopedia of World Religions

440 S Taoism

like ALCHEMY (transforming metals into medicines that were thought to grant immortality) and MEDITA TION that began around the first century C . E . These two trends help to distinguish two major stages in the history of Taoism. But it would be incorrect to think that philosophical and religious Taoism were entirely separate movements. HISTORY The founder of Taoism is known as L AO - TZU , “Old Master.” He may have lived in the sixth century B . C . E ., or he may be only legendary. It is said that Lao-tzu dictated the classic book of Taoism, the T AO T E C HING , as he was leaving China in old age. In any case, by the fourth century B . C . E . a book in 5,000 Chinese characters had come into existence that advocated yielding to the way of nature in all things. It called the prime characteristic of that way wu-wei, action that lacks deliberate intention. A later book developed these insights further. It was named C HUANG - TZU after the person who sup posedly wrote it. In the first century C . E . several movements used these figures and books to develop rituals and institutions. Some looked for a golden age to come in the future. This age was known as the great peace. Those who followed Taoist prin ciples were expected to rule during that peace. Inspired by such teachings, many secret move ments tried to usher in the golden age. Among them was an attempt to overthrow the Han dynasty in 184 C . E . Another Taoist movement that began in the same period is known as “the way of the heavenly masters.” Its founder claimed to have received rev elations from Lao-tzu, whom he considered to be a god. Among other things, the movement promised to heal the sick. It also provided its members with a series of books or “registers” in which to record their spiritual progress. The first millennium (1–1000) C . E . was the golden age of Taoism. Taoists developed elaborate RITUALS . They also perfected many techniques that were said to lead to long life and, if done just right, immortality. Occasionally Taoism became the offi cial religion. Different kingdoms required their

The first ritual is initiation. In initiation, members join the group. They swear to maintain secrecy, and they begin their training in the secrets of Tantrism. In the course of Tantric practice they allegedly attain various supernormal powers. There have been many attempts to classify dif ferent Tantric groups. Perhaps the most common classification distinguishes right-handed and left handed Tantrism in Hinduism. Right-handed Tan trism limits itself to the use of mandalas, yantras, mantras, and mudras. Left-handed Tantrism prac tices ritual acts that are otherwise forbidden. SIGNIFICANCE Although Tantrism strictly speaking is confined to small groups, its influence has been great. Much of present-day Hinduism contains some Tantric ele ments. For example, all Hindu temples are built on mandalas. In Tibet, Vajrayana produced a vibrant national religion. Its leader, the DALAI LAMA , won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Further reading: Agehananda Bharati, The Tantric Tradition (Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1977); Georg Feuerstein, Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy (Boston: Shambhala, 1998); David Kinsley, Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: The Ten Mahavidyas (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1997); Reginald A. Ray, Secret of the Vajra World: The Tantric Buddhism of Tibet (Boston: Shambhala, 2001); David Gordon White, ed., Tantra in Practice (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2000). Taoism A Chinese religion; pronounced with an initial “d,” and therefore also spelled Daoism. Taoism teaches that by living in harmony with the Tao (pronounced and sometimes spelled Dao) or the way of nature, it is possible to prolong life and even become immortal. Scholars have often distinguished two differ ent trends in Taoism: philosophical Taoism and religious Taoism. Philosophical Taoism refers to ideas put forth roughly from 600 to 200 B . C . E . Reli gious Taoism refers to movements and practices