What's /his/ opinion of Taoism, in general?
Was Taoism ever "important" in history, like Confucianism was in China?
Or was it always a tradition of / for hermits and mystics?
Also I wonder: has Taoism any merits for modern societies?
I've always liked the basic ideas of Taoism, also practiced a little Qi Gong and T'ai Chi.
My favourite books are Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi, by the way.
"Daoism" is an artificial category when referred to as a kind of Western-style religion. Daoist mystics existed but the tradition had a major influence on East Asian literature, philosophy, and culture in general that wasn't confined to what we would call 'devotional' or 'religious' phenomena. Daoism as a set of rituals is really just a slight formalization of the Chinese folk religion synthesized with a dank philosophy.
I've never understood why Taoism was never a "thing", only in modern times (in the West, I mean) - it's healthy, it's kinda neutral and anyone can practice it.
I think the answer is in passivity.
And it's too peaceful; history is full of wars and conquests - there is no profit in peace...
Daoism was something the lower class could get into. To be a proper Confucian scholar you needed wealth and prestige sufficient to attract a suitable tutor. Even Kong Zi himself was considered too poor to study, until he got a lucky break.
>>306663
Oh, I see; I should say this in OP: I mean philosophical Taoism, not the religious traditions.
>>306681
So Taoism and Confucianism is what Buddhism and Hinduism?
>>306693
>So Taoism and Confucianism is like Buddhism and Hinduism?
fixed, sorry
>>306693
When Buddhism came to China, they translated it using Taoist terminology.
>>306706
>When Buddhism came to China, they translated it using Taoist terminology.
Yeah, Chinese people often tell that they have three main philosophies: Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
>>306693
No. Neo-Confucian thought (the ideological basis for the Imperial exam system for most of its existence) was an explicit synthesis of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. 'The Three Teachings are One' is a famous Chinese saying, and many paintings of Kongzi, Guangzi, and the Buddha hanging out having a good time have been made in China over the centuries.
>>306665
>War is just about profit
Retard alert.
>>306665
>there is no profit in peace
That's factually incorrect to be honest my family
>>306747
>>306752
History is basically the history of wars.
Like it or not, that's a fact.
Also war is really about profit - weapon industry, conquests (new / more land), etc.
And I meant socialism won over any other philosophies, ideologies or religions in China.
If you want to argue, let's argue, but please focus on Taoism while doing so.
>>306823
>Also war is really about profit - weapon industry, conquests (new / more land), etc.
You really are retarded.
The concept of making millions of dollars of guns is something out of the 20th century. Before then wars were fought for ideologies, religions, power and resources.
Well, since a lot of Taoist principles were incorporated into Jedi doctrine in Star Wars, I think people are more aware of it then they realize
>>306831
But wars were always about ideologies, religions, power and resources!
If you're a tribe and you want the land / women / resources (food, spears, cows) of the other tribe, you attack them and take all these from them.
What do you think, why were all these wars in history?
Out of fun?
Also /his/ is a civilized board, please don't call other anons "retard"!
Thank you!
>>306648
All Eastern religions are a meme
>>306850
You have to be over 18 to post here.
Please come back when you finish high-school and have a basic understanding of history.
>>306862
Why don't you answer my questions?
If you don't want to discuss OP, please leave!
>>306869
>If you're a tribe and you want the land / women / resources (food, spears, cows) of the other tribe, you attack them and take all these from them.
You typed this. This is a 5 year-olds take on history. If you actually were over 18 years old, you would/should know enough about history to realize your gross oversimplification.
>>306823
>History is basically the history of wars.
You're thinking of the history of Wars. History is the history of humanity. Not every moment of human existence is a part of conflict between armies. You have a painfully simplistic analytical framework.
>>306876
>oversimplification
That's true. I admit it.
Also he's also has a point: >>306883
Let's start this over, I'll ask my question from a different point of view: how could Taoism not become a more relevant and "powerful" philosophy?
I think Confucianism had a bigger impact (on China, of course).
Also this:
>>306823
>I meant socialism won over any other philosophies, ideologies or religions in China.
>>306906
'We' can't make Taoism more 'powerful' in China for two reasons.
1. We're people on /his/
2. Taoism already has a Chinese legacy comparable to Europe's Christian legacy.
>>306916
>Taoism already has a Chinese legacy comparable to Europe's Christian legacy.
More like Buddhism, family.
>>306916
Taoism has been historically suppressed by the government, due to its association with various rebel groups. Taoist mystics were seen as rabble rousers. A confucian scholar, on the other hand, must be invested in the system by definition. It's a safer bet.
For example, the Qi Gong cults, Fa Lun Gong, etc. are associated with Taoism.
Buddhism too has had a tenuous official relationship. In the Sui dynasty there were attempts made to force the monks and nuns to marry (and therefore be liable for taxation).
In Republican China, there were also efforts to stamp out Buddhism. For context, even the Imperial Japanese tried to do the same, as they viewed it as exogenous compared to local Shinto (which was never a truly organized religion to begin with).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpDnNrRJ8-I
This video is of Buddhist master Xu Yun pleading with Commandant Li not to massacre all the Buddhists.
>>306962
>Fa Lun Gong
Is this a legit qi gong path?
It's kinda new and I barely even heard about it.
>>307045
All I know is it's banned in China and they will harvest your organs if they catch you practicing it.
>white
>wants to practice gook faith
Don't you lefty hippies care about your white tradition? Become a catholic for fucks sake
>>307086
I'm watching this video right now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_cURws4UaY
It sounds interesting.
>>306727
LEGALISM
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M
>>307095
>care about your white tradition
Fuck tradition.
And fuck racial spooks.
You have much more in common with a NEET in asia than a billionaire in your own country.
Daoism at its core was simply a philosophy about being chill as fuck. Then it got all mystified and people started making a religion out of it, creating deities, alchemy, and shit.
>>307233
>Daoism at its core was simply a philosophy about being chill as fuck. Then it got all mystified and people started making a religion out of it, creating deities, alchemy, and shit.
I thought its roots are in ancient shamanism.
>>307095
>cultural tradition is a reason for following a certain faith
Follow ideas that make sense to you, not ones that tickle your identity. Oh wait, you're a stormfag, you are probably one of those autistic amerilards who wants to be a norse pagan.
>>307216
Don't forget Mohism
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mohism/
>>306648
The shittiest "religious philosophy" I know, a meme for aged hippies and "spiritual" teenagers who are perpetually high. I read the Tao Te Ching.
>>307277
>implying there isn't a massive overlap between the two
>>306727
Is that guy in the picture wearing a fez?
>>307302
Fair point. But Taoism is still pointless. It boils down to "nature is good". If you do not strive for anything, do anything, learn anything (it's rabidly anti-intellectual), wish for anything and make your life as simple as possible, the Tao will magically start to guide you and make you satisfied, a better person etc. The "do by not doing" incredibly ticks me off. It's just shitty mysticism.
>>307098
Holy shit Chinese politics is cutthroat.
>>307458
>mysticism
That's right.
>>307095
But I bet you think it's fine that non whites become Christian?
>>310159
bahai pls
>>310159
>All religions that interest western spiritual tourists are one religion
Fun fact: Daoist monks invented gunpowder
>>310260
>Fun fact: Daoist monks invented gunpowder
Sauce?
>>306648
Taoism is fascinating, and it definitely has merits in today's society. If you read the earlier material, before it became a structured, dedicated religion, it's essentially all about being at peace with yourself and with the world.
I also love the Zhuangzi, although I don't really find the Tao Te Ching enjoyable for some reason.
>>307290
You were too dumb to get it. Sorry you had to find out this way.
>>310655
Probably due to their penchant for alchemy. As alchemists invented gunpowder, it is a reasonable induction.
>>312477
>It's just mysticism lacking any argumentation or practical value.
Now that's bullshit.
Compared to Western philosophies, you can practice it in real life, for example.
We're not talking about religious Taoism here.
While philosophical Taoism seems to be pretty simple, it's more than meets the eye.
>>312943
Um. Well. No. I read it a while back and it was shit.
>>312943
You cannot actually "practice" it because it's just don't desire anything, do anything, learn anything and you'll be guided by the Tao ("effortless action"). But you can't ever know whether you're being guided by the Tao or not. Also, the Tao is never defined, rationally explained or argumented. As I've said, it's pure mysticism, infinitely inferior to Western philosophy.
>>312951
> it was shit
Care to explain?
Wei Wu Wei is not what you think.
Taoism is not about "doing nothing".
> it's pure mysticism
Kinda.
>infinitely inferior to Western philosophy
You can't really compare those two.
There's philosophy and philosophy.
In the original meaning, philosophy is "the love of wisdom", by the way.
I see why you dislike Taoism and I think you really did the best to explain your problems with it.
One point to Griffendarrf.
But these two gentlemen
>>312951
>>313085
can't even give a decent explanation.
Just because you can't comprehend something (or just disagree with it) doesn't make it bad (or using your academic term: "shit").
