Taoism and Confusianism are the major religious traditions in the Chinese society. The term 'religion' as defined in western society does not relate directly to the lifestyle in eastern society. This is because the west includes rituals, concept of God, life after death etc. in the definition of the religion. But, in Chinese religions, these things are not strictly defined and they change from region to region, if not person to person. But the role of Morals is same in East and West.

  Confusious or Master Kong, as well known in China, was more interested in ethical and moral education in the society. He stressed education for all in the society. He did not talk about priesthood or God. There are five relations he mentioned, those needs to be perfected in the society in order to maintain smooth functioning of the society.

The problem is that all Chinese religions use the word 'Tao' - that way. Following is my understanding of the Tao through the book Tao Te Ching

'There is a being - Wonderful and perfect. It exists before heaven and earth. How quiet it is, how spiritual it is! It stands alone and it does not change. It moves around and around but it does not, on this count, suffer. All life comes from it. It wraps everything with love and yet it claims no honor. It does not demand to be lowered. I do not know its name, so I called it the Tao - the way, and I rejoice in its power.    Every being in the universe is an expression of the Tao. It springs into existence, unconscious, perfect, free, takes on physical body, lets circumstances complete it.

That is why every being spontaneously honors the Tao!!!  '

Taoism is based mainly on teachings of two philosophers – Lao et Su and Chang et Su. The main practices of Taoism are

1. Contemplating the Universe going along the way with the nature

2. Meditation

3. Practicing moral ethics

To understand the Tao, one needs to purify the senses and be in the harmony with the nature. The aim of a Taoist is to discover the happiness that is achieved in the union with Tao. 'Sitting and Forgetting' was the term used for meditation.

Taoism was practiced in secrecy for a long time. The secrets are revealed only to initiators. Its only in recent times that these secrets are penetrated and the world realized this tradition. The rituals of these practices are shown on the video with music.

Taoism contributed to Chinese medicine. They found herbs and chemicals in their search for immortality. Some Chinese Emperors use them. To some extent that resembles to the alchemists in the middle ages in Europe. There are many holistic healing techniques they invented which are listed in the book 'Inner Classic of Yellow Emperor' which is as old as 6th century BC. ‘Healing’ as Taoism knows contains three things

1. Treat the spirit

2. Inner hygiene

3. Healing methods

In short, Taoists believe life contains three principles Chee ie breath, Ging ie vital essence, Shang ie spirit.

George Devos, University of California, Berkley feels that the aim for Confusianism is to bring universal love and social harmony. The other impressive commentary is by a taoist Sufi Fung Ha. He thinks death as beginning of new life. He believes, by death what we mean is only destruction of body. Its just throwing away a cloth after it is old to take a new one. This is very similar to a concept in Hinduism where in Bhagwat Geeta Krishna says, 'I, remain the same; as one changes cloths as they get old, I change the body when it grows old.'

What is life from Tao te Ching?

Life in Taoism is mixture of paradoxical values. Here are some sentences from Tao Te Ching that explain that.

·        Being and non-being create each other

·        Difficult and easy support each other

·        Long and short define each other

·        Low and high depend on each other

·        Before and after follow each other