What is the Guayu 寡欲？

What is the Guayu 寡欲？

Paul Peng
Guayu (寡欲) is also a method of practice and an attitude toward life in Taoism. Taoism requires that Taoists should restrain their desires in dealing with others and the world, and that in personal cultivation, they should be less selfish and have few desires, so as to seek longevity.

Guayu was originally a concept in Laozi's Tao Te Ching. The Tao Te Ching states: "Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, and have few desires." It holds that "No misfortune is greater than desiring gain."


Taoism inherited and developed the concept of guayu from Taoism, and summarized the content of "desire" as "nothing more than the five flavors for the mouth, a full body and warm clothes, and the proper union between men and women" (Yunji Qiqian). It believes that desire is the root of misfortune and harm; excessive desire impairs qi (vital energy) and harms nature.

Therefore, being free from desire is regarded as a precept in Taoism. For example, "Laozi's One Hundred and Eighty Precepts", "Laozi's Twenty-Seven Precepts", and "Twenty-Seven Precepts in Miaolin Jing" all require Taoists to eliminate worldly desires.
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This article is part of our comprehensive guide covering all core Taoist philosophies, concepts, and practices — curated from the classic Encyclopedia of Taoism.

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Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

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Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

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