YAY, A TAOISM FORUM!!!!!!! (hell, pray, God, heaven, prayer)

[Master Vigil]

I am very excited that we have a taoism forum now. I feel that I am understanding taoism much more than ever, and feel I am able to teach about it. So if anyone has any questions, they can ask me. I hope to have the answers you are looking for.

[Runt]

LOL, I'm happy there is a Taoist forum too. I have lots of questions... only I can't think of any of them right now. :P I'll have to think about it and come back tomorrow with some...

[Green Gaia]

I'm happy we have one too. I don't know much about Taoism, but am eager to learn. :mrgreen:

[Master Vigil]

I hope I am able to teach it as well as I feel it should be taught.

[spacegirl]

What would you consider essential reading on Taoism. I looked on the Barnes and Nobles website but have no idea where to begin. Any suggestions? :smile:

[arabian_knight1]

peace



I'm glad to have a Taoism forum.


Master Vigil

I think that you'll hate me cuz I keep askin' :mrgreen:

I gotta read about Taoism first and then I'll be back for you with the Questions :wink:


peace on

[arabian_knight1]

well you know what ?

I'll ask some general questions to get us goin' first and then I'll go deeper when I read more about Taoism


Do you believe in God ??
what would happen to people after death ??
is there any prophit or special person in Taoism ??
Do you believe in Heaven and hell ?? If not, what would happen to bad people !
is there any restrictions in Taoism ?? or everything is allowed !
is there any prayers? if Yes. How many ??



if it's too much for you then say so aight :mrgreen:

peace :wink:

[Master Vigil]

Spacegirl, The most essential text on taoism would be the Tao Te Ching (the way and its power). Others would be Chuang Tzu, and The I Ching (book of changes). The Tao Te Ching was written by the founder of Taoism named Lao Tzu, or Lo Tze.

Arabian night...
"Do you believe in God ??"
The western idea of god denotes an idea of gender, and human characteristics. Plus the existence of god being solely good and opposed to evil. Tao is hard to translate into english for it is an idea that westerners have trouble understanding. The Tao is most roughly translated as "way" or "path." The way of the universe, the energy that makes everything happen, the energy that flows through everything. Like the force. It is also not solely good, but it is the perfect balance and unity with all opposites. So perfect in balance that neither opposite is recognizable almost making them disappear.

"what would happen to people after death ??"
This takes us back to the idea of Tao. The Tao can be thought of as the energy that created everything, the source, the force. Therefore, when one dies, one becomes one with the Tao. As energy, and one is at peace with no opposites, and all opposites.

"is there any prophit or special person in Taoism ??"
No real prophet, but only people who have become masters of themselves and thus able to understand the Tao. The best known are Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu.

"Do you believe in Heaven and hell ?? If not, what would happen to bad people!"
No real heaven or hell, only Tao. Some believe that bad people are reincarnated so to become more one with the Tao. Others believe that good and bad are just subjective terms that exist only within our minds. Therefore everything in the end becomes one with the Tao. I personally believe that whether a person is good or bad depends on one's perception of those subjective terms. Therefore, I believe that everyone and everything becomes one with the Tao in the end.

"is there any restrictions in Taoism ?? or everything is allowed !"
What do you mean by restrictions? Taoists would bring your attention to balance, necessity, and simplicity. This is how a taoist should live. Not so much to get to heaven, but to live a stress free and peaceful life, and maybe become enlightened.

"is there any prayers? if Yes. How many ??"
There are no prayers. The I Ching can be used as a form of divination, but I have never used it. Taoists focus on meditation. The conquering of the self. For taoists believe that if knowledge and understanding is not found within first, than it will not be found without.

[arabian_knight1]

Master Vigil

thx for answering my questions

, when one dies, one becomes one with the Tao

I don't understand this ??

I personally believe that whether a person is good or bad depends on one's perception of those subjective terms. Therefore, I believe that everyone and everything becomes one with the Tao in the end.

so what will happen to murderers and thiefs and robbers and rapers etc...

What do you mean by restrictions?

I mean that is there a series of dos and don'ts in Taoism or your allowed to do whatever you want as long as it satisfys you .



thx again


peace :hi:

[DontFearMe]

This sounds to me to be very vague, Taoism. What man invented this ideology? Lao Tzu? So, my question would be, how do you know this ideology or philosophy is accurate? This is the meat so to speak! :mrgreen: