Taoism: Taoist Religion. Origins, Taoist Holidays

Chang Tao-Ling, founder of the Way of The Celestrial Masters, the earliest sect of religious Taoism

Taoism: Philosophy or Religion?

Taoism is both a philosophy of life and an organized religion practiced by several hundred million people. Up until fifty years ago religious Taoism was one of the largest, strongest institutions in China. During the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, however, the Chinese government attempted to stamp out non-communist beliefs by destroying Taoist temples and persecuting Taoist priests.

Although it has officially been prohibited on mainland China, religious, or "popular" Taoism is once again seeing a revival there. In the meantime, it thrives abroad, mainly in Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the Chinatowns of Western cities, where Taoists still observe its unique rituals, festivals and beliefs.

Before the formal religion was established in the 2nd century, A.D., the principles of Taoism had been articulated and refined for several thousand years. Chang Tao-Ling, the scion of a clan of Taoists and alchemists, developed religious Taoism partly in reaction to the rampant spread of non-indigenous Buddhism from India. He created a complex hierarchy of gods and goddesses, ritual libations and feast days which appealed to many rural villagers and farmers as a homegrown alternative to Buddhism. Chang Dao-Ling's sect was called "The Way of the Celestial Masters".

Over the centuries other influential sects would further refine Taoism into the religion it is today. These later sects included "The Highest Purity" sect and "The Complete Reality" sect, which merged the religion with its philosophical roots of following the Way, or The Tao.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.), Taoism was confirmed as the official state religion of China, and the Tao Tsang, considered the bible of Taoism, was published. It contains the seminal collection of Taoist religious literature.

The Taoist Pantheon

The Eight Immortals were brave and noble human beings who were elevated to the level of deities.

Taoists have a hierarchical "bureaucracy" of deities, including gods and goddesses, "immortals" (humans who became immortal through good and heroic deeds), and "ancestors", the deceased members of one's family, to whom one both prays for guidance and makes offerings. There are deities for every occasion and every element in nature: gods of rain, wind, sun, moon and stars. In traditional Chinese culture, each village had its own community god, who oversaw the weather and crops. Even today, Taoist households give homage to the Kitchen God, who presides over family life. These "personal" gods were often humans who were granted godly status by pronouncements of religious leaders or emperors.

Over this pantheon preside "The Three Pure Ones," thought by some to represent the Three Treasures of cosmic energy, jing, qi (chi) and shen. The Heavenly Worthy of Primordial Being represents the beginning of existence; the Heavenly Worthy of Numinous Treasure represents the Tao, and the Heavenly Worthy of the Supreme Way represents the Way and its power. Below these supreme deities, the Jade Emperor (Ling Pao) manages the affairs of heaven and earth. Other popular gods include Guan Yin, a goddess who bestows fortune on the needy and justice on the wronged; Lord Xuan Wu, a powerful god who can control the elements, and Tai Yi, savior from suffering. Worshipers invoke Tai Yi's blessing by calling out his name repeatedly. Among the most popular Immortals is Lu Dong Bin or Lu Yan, the co-founder of Complete Reality Buddhism, who is associated with healing and medicine, dispute resolution, exorcising demons and Taoist cultivation.

In addition to gods, demons, or kuei, plague the natural and human world.

Taoist Religious Rituals

At the heart of Taoist ritual lies the jiao, a ritual offering or program for a specific purpose, such as summoning the gods, blessing the land, or redeeming lost souls. In ancient times, the jiao was overseen by a priest called a "libationer" who would determine which deities should be summoned to handle specific problems. Following the libation, or offering, the community would share food as a symbolic communion with the Tao. Such rituals survive today in Taoist temples and households.

Most Taoists practice their religion without a priest. Many have shrines in their homes, where they make offerings to their deities and ancestors for health and prosperity. In Taoist communities, temples and shrines are always open for lighting incense or praying to the gods, and there is no set worship service.

Ancestor rituals play a central role in Chinese culture, which places great value on family. During such a ritual, incense may be burned, a wine offering is made at the shrine, and prayers are recited, both to honor the ancestor and invoke his or her blessing.

The Chinese Lion Dance, celebrated around the world, marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

Taoist Holidays and Feast Days

Most Taoist religious festivals celebrate the birth of deities or the solstices.Taoist followers regard Lao Tzu's birthday on the 15th day of the 2nd lunar month as the most important festival.The first major holiday in the Taoist calendar year is the Chinese New Year, held on the first day of the first lunar month, equivalent to February on the Western calendar. Rituals in the temple and the home celebrate the Three Pure Ones with an offering of sweets, a banquet, and exchange of gifts with family and friends. On the first day of the festival, the Dragon (Lion) Dance is performed to celebrate long life, immortality and union with the spirits. Firecrackers are lit to frighten off dark forces.

Other festival days commemorate the birth of the Three Officials: the Heavenly Official (formerly the mortal Shang Yuan), the Earth Official (Zhong Yuan) and the Water Official (Xia Yuan). The second of these three festivals, Zhong Yuan, is a very popular holiday also known as Ghost Day. On this day, occurring in mid-August on the Western calendar, the Earth Official pardons the misdeeds of the dead. Lost souls can be redeemed by the living with offering of alms to the poor and performing of charitable works.

Sending the Kitchen God on its annual journey back to Heaven.

At the end of the year, the Kitchen God, represented by a piece of paper hung on the kitchen wall, is symbolically dispatched to Heaven to report to the Jade Emperor. At the beginning of the next New Year, the Kitchen God is welcomed back into the home.

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