What is the One in Taoism？

What is the One in Taoism？

Paul Peng
The "One" in Taoist doctrine is equivalent to the Dao. Daoshu·Zhenyi Pian (《道枢・真一篇》) states: "All things... Their source of transformation begins with the One and ultimately returns to the One, which is why they undergo countless changes without exhaustion."

Laozi (《老子》) says: "Heaven attains the One and becomes clear; earth attains the One and becomes stable; spirit attains the One and becomes divine; the valley attains the One and becomes full; all things attain the One and come to life; rulers and kings attain the One and become the standard of the world."
Lin Xiyi of the Song Dynasty annotated: "The One is the Dao."

Taiping Jing (《太平经》) claims: "The One is the root of the Dao, the origin of qi (vital energy), that to which life is bound, and the master of all hearts." It holds that practicing the method of "guarding the One" enables one to grasp the essential principles of the creation of heaven and earth, which not only allows one to seek longevity for oneself but also to realize an era of peace.
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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

About the Author

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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