Basic Concepts of Taoism

Taoism. It is always present in you. You can use it anyway you want.-- Lao-tzu Taoism, pronounced ‘Dowism’, is one of the two great philosophical and religious traditions that originated in China, the other being Confucianism. Both Taoism and Confucianism began at about the same time, around the sixth century B.C. China's third great religion, Buddhism, came to China from India around the second century of the common era. Together, these three faiths …

…believe the soul is not reborn. Instead it migrates to another life. The determining factor to one's life is contained in the individual behavior for the Taoist. By forsaking personal desires in life, by concentrating of the self, a longer life is prolonged. Eventually, by following the inner light, immortality can be achieved. Only through proper living, by following the correct path guided by the inner light, can one achieve the ultimate goal of Tao.