WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is a religion and a philosophy from ancient China that has influenced folk and national belief. Taoism has been connected to the philosopher Lao Tzu, who around 500 B.C.E. wrote the main book of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching.

Detailed explanation-2: -Taoism as a religion began in the year 142 C.E. with the revelation of the Tao to Zhang Daoling or Chang Tao-ling by the personified god of the Tao, Taishang laojun (Lao Tzu), the Highest Venerable Lord. Zhang Daoling became the first Celestial Master and founder of the first organized Taoist school of thought.

Detailed explanation-3: -Taoism does not have a God in the way that the Abrahamic religions do. There is no omnipotent being beyond the cosmos, who created and controls the universe. In Taoism the universe springs from the Tao, and the Tao impersonally guides things on their way.

Detailed explanation-4: -However, both religions are vastly different from one another. For one, Buddhism is considered an offshoot of Hinduism, which has its foundation on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. Taoism, on the other hand, is based on the philosophical ideas of Lao Tzu.

Detailed explanation-5: -The folk religion of Taoism became popular after its adoption by China as the state religion in 440 C.E., and continues to be practiced even to the present-day.