Lesson 2: Development of Taoism
This lesson discusses the way Taoism evolved, and outlines its interactions with other world views.
Introduction
Early explorers of China, arriving from the West, asked what the religion of China was - they had not anticipated the answer they received. The word that was eventually developed for "religion" - as there was no need for one prior to contact with the West - is zongjiao. The idea of practicing one religion exclusively was alien to the Chinese - one simply took from each teaching as was necessary. This principle explains the idea of the "Chinese Tripod" - Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism - as being the religion of China.
Consider the Western idea of religion - one is either a Jew, Christian, Muslim, or member of another religion. One does not call oneself a Jew, Christian and Muslim simultaneously - at least, not without causing others to scratch their head in confusion. The West has developed the idea (over a very long period of time, reaching back into antiquity) that one practices only one religion - an idea very likely linked strongly with the idea of monotheism. This is not the way things operate in China. There is an expression that translates roughly as "one goes to work a Confucian, retires a Taoist, and dies a Buddhist" - the place of each tradition in one's life corresponding to what that tradition offers best. In the case of Taoism, the twilight years spent contemplating the mysteries of the cosmos and the Tao. Of course, this is not a hard-and-fast rule, but simply an expression of the ways in which one can get the most from all three legs of the tripod.
Keep in mind that one must not wait so long to enjoy all three traditions. It is not uncommon for some to attend a temple from one of each of the three in the same week, or even the same day. Also be aware that not all are as accepting of all traditions. You will find in this lesson that though all three have grown into, through and around the others, there were times in Chinese history when one gained predominance while others were persecuted. As well, be aware that not every person felt compelled to embrace all three traditions - there were certainly those in all three traditions that felt their own was the only tradition that was worthwhile.
At the close of this lesson we will have our second series of questions. As before, these questions are optional, but will certainly aid your progress, without being time consuming. There will be five multiple choice questions to test your knowledge of information and two discussion questions to help you critically examine these further developments in the Taoist tradition. I hope you will mull over the ideas presented and critically reflect on the questions posed at the end of this lesson.
