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Tao means "Way." It is pronounced dow. The Way, according to Taoists, is the spiritual force that underlies the universe and is found in all things. Even though it is a part of all things, it is greater than all things. It is the ultimate reality.

Taoism was started by the Chinese philosopher Lao Tze,the Supreme master, in the 6th century BCE. Tao lived in the same time as another ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius. It is said that one day Lao Tze left his job and rode off west on an ox. At a mountain pass the guardian asked him to write down his teachings. This is how the sacred book of Tao called the Doodejing came to be written. It is also why you see statues and figures of Lao Tze in an ox. Today Taoism is practiced by about five million people in China, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Viet Nam. It is not uncommon for Taoism to be combined with Confucianism and Buddhism.

Taoists believe that that they should live in harmony with the Tao or Way. If they do this they will merge with the Tao, free their soul, and become one of the Immortals. In the beginning Taoists believed there were no gods or goddesses only the Tao but over time people began worshiping Lao Tze and other important Taoist teachers. They also began worshiping forces of nature such as the sun, moon, stars and tides.

Taoists believe that good actions will mean a better life for their soul so Taoists follow rules and guides for living. They are not allowed to tell lies, steal, commit adultery, commit murder or drink alcohol. They also have a list of good deeds to further guide they way they live. They are encouraged to obey their elders, love their parents, be tolerant, help others act, stay in excellent physical and mental shape, practice self control of mind and body, and act without thinking of themselves, in other words act selflessly.

T'ai Chi is a set of very controlled, slow-moving exercises that discipline the body and the mind. It is both a form of physical exercise and a kind of meditation. It was invented by a Taoist. Millions of people today, especially Chinese, still practice T'ai Chi.

It represents the harmonious interaction of the two opposing forces in the Universe, male or yang and female or yin.

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Tao means "Way." It is pronounced dow. The Way, according to Taoists, is the spiritual force that underlies the universe and is found in all things. Even though it is a part of all things, it is greater than all things. It is the ultimate reality.

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What do its followers believe? Shinto means the way of the gods. Shintoism is an Ancient religion of Japan. It started at least as long ago as 1000 B.C.E. but is still practiced today by at least five million people. The followers of Shintoism believe that spiritual powers exist in the natural world. They believe that spirits called "kami" live in natural places such as in animals, plants, stones, mountains, rivers, people and even the dead.

Shinto places of worship are called shrines and are usually found in beautiful natural settings. The shrine contains an Inner Hall which is only entered by Shinto priests since it is believed kami are present. Shinto priests can be either male or female. Purity is important to Shinto followers and therefore they rinse their mouths and wash their hands and hang up wooden tablets with prayers on them before entering the prayer hall. Once inside, the kami is summoned with a bell and offered rice or money. After which the worshiper bows twice and claps twice to welcome the kami then bows again.

Shinto shrines are marked by a special archway called a torii. This archway is believed to separate the sacred world of the shrine from the world outside. There are about 80,000 shrines all over Japan. Each shrine has a yearly festival in which people pay their respects to the kami and celebrate with food and drink.

Worship also happens in homes and at work through simple offerings of rice and tea and prayers. The rice and tea is placed on a special shelf called a "godshelf" . Prayers are often addressed to the family ancestors.

The most important kami is Amaterasu, the sun goddess. She is believed to be the ancestor to the emperors of Japan. Her shrine is at Ise and is the most important shrine in Japan. Inari, the rice producer, is also an important kami since rice is such an important food in Japan.

Yes, it is and many Japanese people practice both. The beliefs are very compatible and not contradictory.

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What do its followers believe? Shinto means the way of the gods. Shintoism is an Ancient religion of Japan. It started at least as long ago as 1000 B.C.E. but is still practiced today by at least five million people. The followers of Shintoism believe that spiritual powers exist in the natural world.

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A Chinese philosopher named K’ung Fu-tzu or Confucius, the Westernized version, believed that a society could become perfect, if the people who lived in it exhibited “beautiful conduct.” Confucius was born in 551 B.C.E. He had a government job which he gave up to devote his life to teaching people h…

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About 2500 years ago, a prince named Siddhartha Gautama began to question his sheltered, luxurious life in the palace. He left the palace and saw four sights: a sick man, an old man, a dead man and a monk. These sights are said to have shown him that even a prince cannot escape illness, suffering and death. The sight of the monk told Siddhartha to leave his life as a prince and become a wandering holy man, seeking the answers to questions like “Why must people suffer?” “What is the cause of suffering?” Siddartha spent many years doing many religious practices such as praying, meditating, and fasting until he finally understood the basic truths of life. This realization occurred after sitting under a Poplar-figtree in Bodh Gaya, India for many days, in deep meditation. He gained enlightenment, or nirvana, and was given the title of Buddha, which means Enlightened One.

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Taoists

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Believers of Shintoism are called Shintoists.

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Confucianists

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Buddhist

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Yin is femine energy and Yang is masculine energy.

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The Torii Gate is a symbol of Shintoism. The archway is said to separate the sacred world from the outside world.

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the 8 spoked wheel, which represents Buddah and Buddhism.

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Founded in Zhou dynasty China between 500 to 400 BCE

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Shinto originated in pre historic Japan. It was created as a way for people to worship spirits.

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started by Confucius in the 6th 5th century BCE

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It originated in India in the fifth century BCE.

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"the way" which means the natural order of the universe.

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Shinto means, "the way of the gods." Followers of Shintoism believe that spiritual powers exist in the world. They believe that spirits called, "kami" live in all nature and living things.

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Scared texts

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Followers of Buddhism don't acknoledge a god. Also the four noble truths.

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Tao Te Ching, their are 81 poems written by laozi.

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Followers of Shinto worship at Shinto Shrines. These shrines are usually found in beautiful natural settings.

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harmony between humans, justice, respect for one's elders, and loyalty to one's family and friends.

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Key Beliefs and Practices for confucianism

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tripitaka

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Unlike Christianity (church), Islam (mosque), or Judaism (temple), with Confucianism there are no official places for worship.

After Confucius died, temples were built to honor Confucius and his disciples.  These Confuciuan temples are called Kong Miao and they are places where artifacts and relics are stored and scholars go to study.

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The place of worship is temples also shrines at home.

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gong temples and they usually have dragon or a tiger in the front.

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Who was Confucius? - Bryan W. Van Norden

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Taoism aka Daoism  believers are called 

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Taoism aka Daoism  believers are called 

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spiritual immortality

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The yin, the dark swirl, is associated with shadows, femininity, and the trough of a wave; the yang, the light swirl, represents brightness, passion and growth.

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Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is a religion and a philosophy from ancient China that has influenced folk and national belief. Taoism has been connected to the philosopher Lao Tzu, who around 500 B.C.E.

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Taoist thought focuses on genuineness, longevity, health, immortality, vitality, wu wei (non-action, a natural action, a perfect equilibrium with tao), detachment, refinement (emptiness), spontaneity, transformation and omni-potentiality.