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Taoism


Definition of Taoism

noun

[mass noun]
  • a Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-tzu, advocating humility and religious piety.

The central concept and goal is the Tao, and its most important text is the Tao-te-Ching. Taoism has both a philosophical and a religious aspect. Philosophical Taoism emphasizes inner contemplation and mystical union with nature; wisdom, learning, and purposive action should be abandoned in favour of simplicity and wu-wei (non-action, or letting things take their natural course). The religious aspect of Taoism developed later, circa 3rd century ad, incorporating certain Buddhist features and developing a monastic system

Derivatives

Taoist

Pronunciation: /-ɪst/

noun & adjective

Taoistic

Pronunciation: /-ˈɪstɪk/

adjective

Taoism in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of Taoism in the US English dictionary