Taoism in decline? (Jesus, priests, rituals, followers, America)

[cfer]

It's kind of my observation that Taoism is in decline and has been for a long time. It's not a very big religion at all and keeps getting smaller. Really there's only one or two places where it is still in practice.

Has anyone else noticed this? If so, why do you think that is?

[jimbob]

ya, i thought so too.

[Master Vigil]

I wouldn't say so. While the religious aspect is in decline, taoism (as Lao Tzu wanted it) is not. Since it is a philosophy, and not a religion it is present in all of chinese culture. It is also present in japanese culture, and korean culture. It is also present now in american culture. The problem is you look for temples, or priests, etc... But you don't find many. But look at chinese martial artists, acupuncturists, chinese brush painters, and calligraphers, chi gung practicers, etc... Taoism is not meant to be a religion practiced in church like other religions. It is life, and is still very much alive.

[cfer]

So what would you say are the differences between a religion and a philosophy? I would think it hard to separate the two. Isn't religion a philosophy?

[Master Vigil]

Taoism as a philosophy does not entail worship, rituals, or anything of the like. Taoism as a philosophy just entails living.

[sage]

Taoism may or may not be as widely practiced as it was, say, 1000 years ago. However, the philosophy lives on.

The Tao is never ending. There never was a time when it did not exist, nor will there ever be a time when it does not exist. It is the essence of life.

[Prima]

I disagree that it is in decline.

I would say that it is not growing, but that it seems in 'decline' because it's not advertised. Its followers are not going out of their way to get noticed.

I would also say that many who are Taoist don't necessarily label themselves so. If you believe Jesus was Christ, you've pretty much slapped the Christian label on yourself. But as in MV's examples - a calligrapher is with the Tao when he/she works and therefore is to some degree the rest of the time, but may not necessarily label him- or herself a Taoist.

Also, many newer religions using Taoist-like ideas. Wicca, for example. And Mormons, I believe, think that the spirit of contention is to be avoided. Even that could be called Taoist.

The problem you see is that there is not a list of written laws saying who is and is not a Taoist.

[Lloyd]

So we have here some westerners discussing the nature of Taoism and going over some of it's finer points. It sounds pretty vibrant to me. It's just going through a period of pretty drastic transformation. So it's in the same boat as just about every other religion on Earlth.

[Francine]

Originally Posted by cfer

It's kind of my observation that Taoism is in decline and has been for a long time. It's not a very big religion at all and keeps getting smaller. Really there's only one or two places where it is still in practice.

When berry bushes flourish it is impossible to walk through them. When they store their juices for winter and retreat the Way becomes clear again. Flourishing is not constant. Retreating is not constant. But flourishing and retreating are constant.

[Somkid]

Lao Tzu would be very happy to hear that and so am I. The Tao was never intended to be a religion however like many other writings it inspired religion.