TAOISM

ORIGIN

• Originates in China

BELIEFS

• Death is a change from being to non-being
• Ch'i is a need in philosophy and culture
• Immortals or Xian in Chinese pare important spiritual beings
• Having immortality is the most important part of Taoism
• The biggest reality is the Tao or Way

TRADITIONS

• On certain dates, they set put food to spirits of dead people or gods
• They will burn Joss Paper or Hell Bank Notes for spirits and gods to see
• Some will have a vegan diet or fast
• On certain holidays, they will celebrate in the street
• Like having their fortune told telling

SACRED WRITINGS

• Tao Te Ching
• The book of Taoism was created around the 3rd century BCE
• Also known as Dao De Jing or Daode Jing
• It means the Way and Its Power

AFTERLIFE

• When you die, you are still living in others memories
• You reincarnate into a new world
• If you believe in God, you live with God and the universe
• You also discover many truths of the world

HOLY DAYS

• The Lantern festival is a celebration of the full moon of each year and the birthday of a Taoism god
• Tomb sweeping day is a day to celebrate your ancestors.
• The Chinese New Year is where people burn paper gods so they can release their spirits and people replace the old statues.
• The Hungry Ghost Festival is a day when dead people who have not had a proper funeral go into the world. People make offerings and pray for the them so they will catch the ghosts.

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

• They celebrate in honor of Qu Yuan, a poet and statesman
• Considered an honorable man because he helped stop corruption
• Qu Yuan was defeated by a dictator and commited suicide
• On the date he died, people have dragon boat races and eating zong zi

WORSHIP PRACTICES

• Many decide to have a vegetarian diet or a temporary vegan diet
• Food sacrifices are to spirits and a god. They might set out food or burnt Joss paper
• On certain holidays, street parades take place
• There are rituals that include spiritual journeys
• Many do martial arts

PLACES OF WORSHIP

• They go to Tao or the gong
• They mix their ideas here and worship their gods

WORKS CITED

• http://www.patheos.com/Library/Taoism
• http://www.religionfacts.com/taoism/beliefs
• http://personaltao.com/teachings/taoism/the-afterlife/
• http://taoismfacts.weebly.com/holidays-and-festivals.html
• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism#Society
• http://moreaboutdaoism.weebly.com/place-of-worship.html