Daoism Facts
Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is a religion based on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, a short tract written in the 6th century BC in China. Tao Te Ching is on spiritual harmony within the individual, which complements Confucianism's focus on social duty. Today, there are 20 million followers of Taoism worldwide, most of whom live in China, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia.
Many followers of Taoism are characterized by their use of the Taoism symbol, ying yang, reading books on Taoism, and living out their beliefs against the backdrop of Chinese culture. Taoism is also increasingly influential in the West, especially in the field of alternative medicine and in martial arts like Tai Chi. This exposure has lead to questions like, do Taoists believe in God or gods? What do they believe about the universe, people, and the afterlife? What are their values and practices? Who are their teachers and followers? And what is their history?