Book Title: $JES 911 Essence of World Religions Reference Book Author(s): Pravin K Shah Publisher: JAINA Education CommitteePage 45
________________ Essence of World Religions Taoism Founded Taoism began about 2,500 years ago in China. Founder Sage Lao tzu is the founder to whom Confucius describes as a dragon riding the wind and clouds. Major Scriptures The Tao te Ching or Book of Reason and Virtue, is the shortest of all scriptures, containing only 5,000 words. Sects Taoism is a mystical tradition, so interpretations have been diverse and its sects are many. Adherents Estimated at 50 million, mostly in China and other parts of Asia Goals The primary goal of Taoism may be described as the mystical intuition of the Tao, which is the way, the undivided unity, and the ultimate Reality. Both imminent and transcendent, the Tao is the natural way of all things, the nameless beginning of heaven and earth, and the Mother of all things. All things depend upon the Tao, and all things return to it. Yet it lies hidden, transmitting its power and perfection to all things. He, who has realized the Tao, has arrived at pure consciousness and sees the inner truth of everything. Only one who is free of desire 45Page Navigation
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