known religious philosophical tradition chinese origin emphasis living harmony accordance natural flow cosmic structural order universe commonly referred thought philosophy later incorporated religious traditions practices ancient chinese religion hundreds years original development term means natural way universe way path principle found unrelated ancient chinese religions denotes source force exists drew notions heavily influenced informed acknowledged oldest text ancient chinese classics system philosophical thought ethics human based cycles change natural social worlds means includes instructions practice adhered modern day religious referred diverged sharply thoughts rigid rituals social classes compact ambiguous book containing teachings attributed chinese pinyin wade widely considered work philosophy writings interprets adds teaching classic texts provide philosophical foundation china combinations creates documented ethics vary depending particular school general tend emphasize action non action simplicity treasures sperm energy essence physical body energy including thoughts emotions spirit spiritual power profound influence chinese culture course centuries chinese pinyin usually care note distinction ritual tradition customs practices found chinese folk religion appear blurred chinese especially chinese buddhism martial arts traditional chinese medicine styles history china influence surrounding societies asia literature grew steadily compiled form canon published behest emperor chinese history times nominated state religion 17th century fell favor today ancient thought incorporated ancient chinese religion religions officially recognized taiwan travel readily east asian roots claims adherents number societies sizable communities hong_kong taiwan japan southeast_asia definition spelling pronunciation english speakers continue debate preferred words root chinese word way path older wade system modern pinyin system linguistic terminology formed chinese way route principle native debate involves politics mention pronounced pronounced english speakers disagree theory wade pinyin articulated investment book titled jones averages pun jones illustrates pronunciation widespread familiarity speech pronounced reading chinese weak english stop shows american british english differences study major english published great_britain united_states found common british sources american ones word translate different chinese terms refer different aspects tradition field religion chinese pinyin lit teachings aspect family organized religious movements sharing concepts terminology philosophy recognized school philosophy chinese pinyin lit school family chinese pinyin lit learning mystical aspect philosophical doctrines based texts chinese pinyin chinese pinyin texts linked philosophy early han dynasty notably unlikely familiar text identified classification arise death discussed distinction rejected majority western japanese scholars contested difficulties different schools movements fall umbrella definition single organized religion like traditions studied mere variant chinese folk religion share similar concepts chinese folk religion separate core teachings agree unified religion constantly consisted combination teachings based variety original revelations chinese philosopher views religion embedded chinese history tradition later chinese buddhism fall pattern thinking organizing sense remain religious individually assume forms philosophy practical wisdom noted view heaven flows mainly observation meditation teaching way include way heaven independently human nature chinese history religions buddhism stand independent views involved process attempting find convergence speak unity religious teaching term traditionally chinese language terms defining lay people doctrines practices fall instead field folk religion literature 19th early 20th centuries translation master priest applied ordained institution represent culture professional basis experts employ knowledge ritual skills benefit community role priests reflects definition framework development local words scheme structure chinese folk religion proposed body traditions comparable role non ritual masters traditions term chinese literally follower meaning lay member believer modern invention goes introduction western category organized religion china 20th century creation little application fabric chinese society continues order larger structure chinese religion origins development traditionally regarded founder closely associated context original actually existed disputed work attributed dated late 4th century bce draws foundations form main elements yang phases developed period 4th 3rd centuries identifies components emergence philosophical techniques achieving practices achieving longevity elements traced prehistoric folk religions china later tradition particular practices drew states era phenomena connected culture northern china probably derived antiquity supposedly later insisted case terms designate individuals dedicated magic medicine methods longevity case translation close relied activities organized form school later known school developed movement end 2nd century founded claimed appeared year school officially recognized ruler rise power return received imperial recognition century bce form school gained official status china dynasty emperors claimed relative movement developed earlier 4th century basis series revelations gods spirits certain years compiled series scriptures later served foundation school greatest influence song dynasty song emperors notably active promoting collecting texts publishing editions 12th century founded flourished 13th 14th century dynasty largest important school school revered master met successful influencing khan restraint brutal conquests khan decree school exempt taxation buddhism consciously synthesized school eventually imperial state bureaucratic purposes dynasty favored classics works 18th century imperial library constituted excluded virtually books beginning 20th century fallen favor example complete copy remained white cloud monastery beijing today religions recognized government activities freely practiced taiwan claims millions adherents doctrines ethics tends emphasize themes simplicity detachment desires important concepts texts chinese pinyin literally means way interpreted road channel path doctrine line natural spontaneous eternal beginning things way things pursue course variously denoted flow universe necessary ground demonstration nature individuals find active expression called spelled pronounced translated chinese pinyin sense results individual living ambiguous term simplified chinese traditional chinese pinyin constitutes leading ethical concept refers intentional action carries meaning lacking common translations action action intent meaning emphasized expression action action ancient texts associated water yielding nature philosophy accordance proposes universe works according ways world manner rhythm cycles change disrupt harmony consequences likely result outcome identify root problem asserts place harmony natural universe potentially harmful interference avoided way goals achieved sage seeks come harmony great chinese pinyin wade jan lit self self organisation regarded central value describes state things basic character usually associated creativity attain identify involves freeing oneself desire simplicity cited metaphor simplified chinese traditional chinese pinyin wade lit uncut wood block represents original nature prior imprint culture individual usually referred state returns treasures treasures simplified chinese traditional chinese pinyin comprise basic virtues chinese pinyin usually translated compassion chinese pinyin usually translated chinese pinyin literally daring act heavens usually translated practical political philosophy translated aggressive war capital punishment absolute simplicity living refusal assert active authority treasures refer chinese pinyin usually translated essence spirit terms elements traditional chinese concept human body shares foundation framework play important role inner evolution extremes meet main characters shares similar views headed bce school concepts phases yang spirit universe seen constant process creating exists mere aspect condensed life indefinite potential perpetual transformation condensed state different states hand abstract entities yang extremes constantly play exist human beings seen universe example comprise form organs consequence believed deeper understanding universe achieved understanding oneself theology practiced religion asian communities theology dependent existence anthropomorphic communities worship attributed founder philosophical doctrine deities ancient chinese folklore theological basis religion traditions world given philosophical emphasis way anthropomorphic concepts god beliefs include teachings based sources chinese folk religious practice popular religious opted mythical figures chinese folklore actual figures worship better understood analogous saints catholic divine deities possess supernatural powers different branches differing beliefs especially concerning deities proper composition certain core beliefs nearly share traditional confused western concepts necessarily indicate union eternal spirit example hindu sense popular typically presents jade emperor official head deity intellectual elite sect usually present lord pure ones deities tends mirror bureaucracy deities promoted demoted actions number mysterious figures appear lesser extent generally objects worship texts widely considered influential text according legend written book simply referred authorship precise date origin unity text subject debate probably known certainty earliest texts excavated written bamboo date late 4th century bce history religious ritual text famous opening lines pinyin told eternal pinyin named eternal significant times debate english translation particular translation best thematically ordered main themes text repeatedly expressed variant slight difference leading themes revolve nature attain said great things small means ancient commentaries important texts right oldest commentary likely written 2nd century important commentaries include book simplified chinese traditional chinese pinyin named purported author composite writings sources considered important texts commentator circa helped establish text important source thought traditional view wrote seven chapters inner chapters students related responsible parts outer miscellaneous chapters work uses anecdotes dialogues express main themes oneself laws natural world way elements originally system origins mentions organised system philosophy religious practice text later philosophical importance commentaries consists combinations called traditionally chosen throwing coins yarrow sticks idea situation hand reading changing lines idea developing original read meditation change occurs assists managing yang cycles advocated oldest known version text dated recently recorded 18th century master continued advocate usage treasury referred canon originally compiled song version surviving today published dynasty includes texts following example divided caves arranged highest lowest real truth includes texts mystery includes scriptures divine includes texts revelations generally consult published versions individually choose inherit texts included texts passed generations teacher student school tradition approaching study believed reciting certain texts rewarded texts famous important texts traditional treatise response retribution discusses sin ethics popular morality tract centuries asserts harmony live long lives wicked descendants suffer shortened lives symbols images simplified chinese traditional chinese pinyin commonly known yang symbol simply yang associated symbolism exclusive symbol organizations use actually neo pan chinese likely symbol decorations organization flags temple floors clerical robes according song dynasty sources originated 10th century previously yang tiger dragon temples fly square triangular flags typically feature mystical writing intended fulfill functions including providing guidance spirits dead bring good fortune increase life span etc flags banners gods seven stars displayed representing chinese equivalent dynasty big considered deity han dynasty considered path god temples southern china taiwan identified roofs feature dragons multi colored tiles stand harmony yang phoenix related symbol pearl seen roofs dragons master general chinese architecture universal features distinguish structures practices vegetarian diet diet encourages rituals certain dates food set sacrifice spirits deceased gods festival include slaughtered animals pigs ducks fruit form sacrifice involves burning paper assumption images consumed fire mere image actual item spirit world making available revered ancestors departed loved ones points diet fast observed particular holidays street place lively affairs invariably involve flower covered broadcasting traditional music variously include lion dances dragon dances human occupied seventh lord eighth lord spirit medium cut skin knives practicing honor guards demonic makeup carrying god images participants considered performers possessed gods spirits question fortune telling including forms long considered traditional pursuit widely encountered academic social distinction martial forms spirit writing typically practiced writing physical cultivation important element rituals exercises substances aiming oneself cosmic forces undertaking spiritual journeys improving physical health extending life point immortal beings referred characteristic method aiming longevity early scriptures like achieving outlined number martial arts traditions particularly ones falling category like principles significant extent practitioners consider art means practising society adherents number difficult estimate variety factors including defining according survey religion china year number people practicing form chinese folk religion near million chinese million practice form defined folk faith detail million people passed formal initiation adhere exclusively chinese people influenced way tradition recently efforts revive practice religion formed received official approval disbanded cultural revolution established headquarters association branch monasteries temples reopened rebuilt belonging schools schools officially allowed chinese government prefers model clergy clergy married reside home literature art influenced cultures korea japan vietnam organized attracted large non chinese following modern times taiwan million people population identify data collected religious demographics hong_kong singapore respectively people cities identify art poetry chinese history examples art influenced thought notable painters influenced include arts represents diverse regions time spans commonly associated ancient art commissioned aristocracy scholars masters directly engaged art political aspects favors philosophical government cited early example proponent hand politics main issue relations religions scholars believe arose philosophical terms shared traditionally held teacher explicitly criticized work general rejects emphasis rituals social order conventional morality favors instead entry buddhism china marked significant interaction originally seen kind foreign buddhism scriptures translated chinese vocabulary representatives early chinese buddhism like knew deeply influenced texts especially shaped development buddhism introducing elements like concept distrust scripture text emphasis embracing life living moment hand incorporated buddhist elements period monasteries prohibition alcohol doctrine collecting scripture organisation ideological political rivals centuries buddhism deeply influenced example influential philosophical commentators rivals share similar values embracing philosophy emphasizing moral behavior human perfection time chinese people identified extent traditions simultaneously aspects schools school authors dealt comparative studies christianity interest students history religion comparison teachings jesus authors believe parallels ignored opinion main difference christianity personal god number authors including argued moral ethical religions similar work christ eternal provides study light christian revelation synthetic doctrine
Taoism